Lifestyles 55 2023 11 November

November 2023

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Churchill, land of dreams for artists

In remembrance

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What makes a garden great?

Nature and location contribute but so can you Tim Chapman, CEO International Peace Garden

We remember them

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eeing other gardens, arboreta and parks is an imperative when you work in the public or botanical garden world. But when your garden is on the 49th parallel it’s not as simple as taking off in the summer to visit other public gardens. Our season is short and requires hyper-focus and attention during the few warm months we have.

Some of the best conferences are in June, when we are planting as many as 80,000 annuals. Some are in September when we’re racing about to get everything shut down and safe for winter. There simply isn’t enough time to even enjoy other gardens while they are in bloom. (Not that I’m complaining. After all, we need only walk out of the office to see stunning displays.)

At the International Peace Garden, we may be one of the most rurally based major gardens in North America. Gathering ideas and understanding what makes a great garden ensures our staff continues developing professionally. Trends change, but great gardens have a lot in common despite their size and scale.

This year’s staff visits have included Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, which is always a treat, but a bit u 15 ‘Peace Garden’

The Valour Road Memorial to the three Victoria Cross winners. Photo by Krazy Tea.

Dorothy Dobbie

O The sun rises through the windows of the new conservatory where staff are working feverishly to get the collection planted in plenty of time for the soft opening in December.

Why Neestanan and a second port on Hudson Bay is critical to Churchill and the Northern Gateway Line Dorothy Dobbie

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f the new government wants a win, it is the building of a new spur line from Amery, just north of Gillam to Port Nelson and the subsequent location of a second port on Hudson Bay. Neestanan would put away many of their headaches over the Northern Gateway line and secure the investment already made.

There has been resistance from Minister Dan Vandal and from Churchill Mayor Mike Spence, both of whom support the Port of Churchill and who seem to feel that the line is a threat to the major investment that has gone into the Northern Gateway line over the past few years (almost $300 million). It is

The state of the Port of Churchill however, exactly the opposite, The Neestanan Line can only enhance the activity of the Northern Gateway, bringing in earned revenue that they will never be able to attract independently. Why? Because the u 2 ‘Neestanan’

lder readers will know exactly why Valour Road is so named, and the reason is one that will make your heart swell with pride.

This little West End thoroughfare, running north from Portage Avenue and originally known as Pine Street, was the home to three remarkable young men who fought for our freedom and a democratic world back in the First Would War. They each earned a Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the Commonwealth military. The Victoria Cross is given to individuals who have displayed exceptional courage and bravery in the face of the enemy. Two of the awards were given posthumously. Valour Road is believed to be the only street in the world to have three Victoria Cross recipients living on the same street.

Lieutenant Robert Shankland was awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I for his incredible bravery on October 26, 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium.

Despite being wounded twice, Shankland continued to lead his men with unwavering determination and gallantry. After organizing the survivors of his platoon for what seemed a desperate last stand, Shankland kept the Germans back with just a single machine gun. He then went to the rear to round up reinforcements from the 52nd Battalion. His actions exemu 9 ‘We remember them’

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Why Neestanan and a second port on Hudson Bay is critical to Churchill and the Northern Gateway Line Continued from page 1

northern part of the line is unsustainable for significant freight transport and the Port itself is inadequate to handle modern or year-round traffic.

How would Neestanan and Port Nelson save the Northern Gateway line? By increasing is traffic substantially from Hudson Bay Saskatchewan to Amery, just north of Gillam where the new hardbed line would break off.

Neestanan would have to buy passage from Northern Gateway on that part of the line as well as on CN lines coming through Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Neestanan, by offering a stable route to the new port for heavy goods would not compete with Northern Gateway which will never be able to accommodate that traffic.

When the Churchill line was built, the bed was stable most of the year because the permafrost stayed frozen. Now, this area in summer is more of a swamp.

Trains on the Churchill line past Gillam are slowed to about 25 km/h (15mp/h) on a good day – the 230 kilometers takes nine and a half hours to navigate. This is fine for a leisurely excursion where you can enjoy the scenery, but it is death to any serious freight going north.

And yes, the Arctic Gateway Group that runs the Port of Churchill (a consortium of 29 Indigenous and 12 nonIndigenous communities, mostly in Northern Manitoba) are rebuilding part of the route and adding ballast to create a harder bed, but the work is slow, thanks in part to the need to use the line for passenger traffic. But it is a moot question as to whether this will solve the problem over the long term as knowledgeable northerners say this is a bottomless

The original Hudson Bay Route Plan of the Nelson Estuary (1927). Created by F. Palmer. Image Courtesy of University of Manitoba: Archives & Special Collections swamp that will gobble up anything thrown at it over time. And the cost is horrific.

Already, the provincial and federal governments have invested about $300 million to repair the line, but no grain has been shipped through Churchill since 2017. It is highly unlikely that this will change since the federal gain subsidy of $9 per ton was removed some time ago.

So, what is the answer? Neestanan.

And it will enable the shipping of far more than grain.

Neestanan When opening a northern port was first contemplated back in 1912, Port Nelson was meant to be the ocean terminus of the northern railway. Construction blunders, politics and the First World War interrupted the progress on the port and work was abandoned in 1918. The community of 1,000 dwindled away to a ghost town. When the issue was revived,

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Churchill was chosen as an alternative.

Port construction was started in 1927 and finished in 1929.

A lot has changed since then. Ships have tripled in size and the Churchill port, created for 1920s traffic, is just too small to handle the big ships of today, especially the freighters. Although Churchill Port is supposed to be able to accommodate two ships at a time, one seems to be the norm now and other ships must wait offshore for their turn to take on a load of grain. But even without this drawback, the port itself is decrepit and the grain elevator is even more so.

Getting there is half the fun, as they say, and getting from Gillman to Port Nelson is a much easier task than going to Churchill. For one thing, it is nearly 100 km closer to Amery where the line would likely split off. The spur line could be built within 12 months and, instead of over swamp, the route follows an esker

or sand and gravel ridge left by the last glaciers. This means a stable line for hauling heavier freight which would be able to travel at the usual freight speed.

The waters around Churchill freeze in winter due to freshwater entry, snowfall, and currents, limiting its availability for trade to about three months of the year.

The Nelson River part of the Bay is more prone to slushy ice that can be navigated by icebreakers, making it accessible yearround.

Finally, and most importantly, Neestanan would open an economy for northern indigenous communities. It would also improve access to and from very isolated communities, reducing the cost of living and improving their lives.

Neestanan is owned by First nations groups. They understand the opportunities that can blossom from the additional gateway to the world. They are sick of being patted on the head and treated like pets, when they are more than capable of making wonderful things happen for the good of their own people.

As for the rest of the prairies and ultimately Canada? Having serious access to seawater is a game changer. The idea is supported by both Saskatchewan and Alberta, but also by the folks in northern Ontario who see the advantages of having a nearby port for their products from the Ring of Fire.

It is a win-win-win. I hope Mr. Kinew will see this and continue the support afforded by the previous government to complete the feasibility study which will examine the best location for the new port and determine how to deal with issues surrounding silt, water depth and so on.

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November 2023

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Advice to the new government Follow us online at: whatsupwinnipeg.ca Facebook: Lifestyles55

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Copyright Pegasus Publications Inc. November 2023

Remember what got you elected

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ab Kinew and his NDP are now in control of Manitoba’s future. Will it go well or ill? That is up to them and particularly to the leadership of Mr. Kinew.

Clearly, many Manitobans were uninspired by either campaign as only 55% of the electorate bothered to vote. Two weeks after the election, it is still difficult to analyze because Elections Manitoba has not yet concluded its work and made the results official and, as of this writing, the Elections Manitoba site seems to be down. However, the new premier himself admitted that he has been elected to represent all Manitobans and so, taking him at his word, here are some things that Manitobans will be expecting in the coming four years.

First and foremost is Mr. Kinew’s assertion that the “EcoDorothy Dobbie nomic horse pulls the social cart.” This oft repeated slogan convinced many middle-of-the-road voters to take a chance on his leadership, given the hatchet job local media had done on former Premier Heather Stefanson. Despite all contrary evidence, the media managed to convince the public that she was a negative blot on the Manitoba scene. She was just the opposite, but this is not the first time the public has been misled by mainstream media.

If Mr. Kinew is serious and was not deceiving the public, then one of his first tasks must be to secure the economic opportunities that were lined up to invest in Manitoba. I had hoped he would reach out to some of these folks, but his immediate shutdown of the Economic Development Committee of cabinet and the firing of its head clerk, Michael Swiston, seems to indicate that economic development is not top of mind. I hope I am wrong and that he has been reaching out behind the scenes.

Publicly, he named himself the leader of the reconciliation movement and I have no quarrel with that if it means doing this through economic development. According to all the many Indigenous leaders I have spoken to and enjoyed company with over the past two years in pursuit of Neestanan, reconciliation means opportunity to share in the economy as equal partners in individual endeavours. And that means opening the north, where many of these folks have home communities.

Currently, if you are a young Indigenous person from an isolated community in the north, you have few opportunities, so many head south to nearby cities such as Thompson or The Pas or to Winnipeg. But life there is no bowl of cherries, either. Inexperienced, ill-educated, and with no guidance, far too many of these young folks fall between the cracks, ending up homeless, addicted, and worse. It is a bitter and vicious cycle that must end.

But it cannot end in welfare, the killer of all initiative, the enslaver of so many. Instead, allowing the private sector to create jobs, train local folks and offer a future is a far more productive road to reconciliation. I don’t know how much Mr. Kinew knows about Manitoba’s northern communities, having come from the city, but he should make it a priority to go on an extended northern community tour and learn for himself.

We must maintain the interest of companies that are looking to mine the minerals in Manitoba to fuel the proposed change from fossil-based to electrical energy. Despite our healthy supply of hydro energy, it is not limitless, and we must also look ahead to securing our own needs.

Transportation is also critical to a central province such as Manitoba. The Neestanan project, which would build a spur line from Amery, just north of Gillam, to Port Nelson on Hudson Bay is well advanced and will see the indigenous owners of the right of way very well positioned for the future not least because of the money it will being to their economies, but also because it will open transportation options for many, giving them access to the outside world.

Down south, the rebuilding of our road infrastructure, so well handled by former minister Doyle Piwniuk, has a better chance of surviving since his former deputy, Sarah Thiele, has been named the head bureaucrat as the Clerk of the Executive Council (1).

There are many other components to Manitoba’s economic future: technology, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, all of which must be nurtured through reductions of conflicting

Fair governance, good management and a commitment to promises made Watch all three.

Fair governance is not showing favoritism to any special group or special interest. This will be difficult for the new premier given the makeup of his caucus. There will be pressure from labour groups and social activists pushing back against enterprise and Indigenous interests. It is notable also that he overlooked his Punjabi caucus members when assigning cabinet positions.

Good management is only as good as its leaders and there is a lot to be learned by a whole cadre of new MLAs. The bureaucracy still has many former NDP supporters among it – watch for them to rise to the top very suddenly. There will be tremendous pressure on the treasury to spend on social welfare and pet projects, not all of them productive. There needs to be sensible investment in housing for the homeless, but previous NDP governments did very little to nothing to alleviate housing pressures under far less difficult circumstances.

Commitment to promises made is going to be a major hurdle to overcome. Many expensive promises will be shelved as current affairs demand immediate attention. Also, some of his promises never had a snowball’s chance in you-know-where to be kept, among them those about healthcare. There will be no new emergency wards built, although he might try some half-way measure and claim he has delivered. Don’t hold your breath on the search for the missing Indigenous women purported to be in the toxic landfill. I suspect the Federal money devoted to a “new” study will come back with a negative recommendation and the whole thing will go away.

Advice to the Opposition It is often said that a government is only as good as its Opposition. Manitoba is lucky now to have a well experienced and intelligent Opposition.

My advice is to ignore the barbs and personal assaults and focus on what you know. Demand answers backed up by solid evidence that what you are saying is true or that the concern you express is valid.

Don’t let the search for a new leader interfere with your work in the House. Focus on holding the Government to account, fairly and fiercely. and job destroying regulations. Economic reconciliation must take all these issues into consideration as well.

None of us naïve enough to believe that Mr. Kinew will abandon his socialist base, and many Manitobans seem comfortable with much of that – as long as they don’t feel any direct negative impact personally. They are accustomed to tax creep, but any big jump will be not well received and a reversal of the education tax on home properties would be very ill-received, so Mr. Kinew will have to find useful ways to fuel the social fire, or in his words, pull that social cart.

To do this he needs to reach out to local businesses, including the Business Council of Manitoba and the various Chambers of Commerce (2). More, he must reach beyond Manitoba’s borders to dispel fears by interprovincial and international investors. He appears to be charming and convincing. He should exercise some of that charm on those who would bring prosperity to Manitoba.

He also needs to remember that he represents rural Manitoba and the agricultural community. That will also take some heavy duty learning for a city boy. He will need to spend some time in rural communities, listening and learning that this is the fount of most of Manitoba’s current wealth. Understanding rural issues is critical to moving forward.

What Manitobans have a reason to expect is fair governance, good management and a commitment to promises made. In reaching those goals, I wish Mr. Kinew all the best.

Foot notes: 1. As an interesting side note, Sarah is the wife of the fellow who was the campaign manager for NDP Logan Oxenham the opponent to Kevin Klein in Kirkfield Park. As they say, loyalty has its rewards).

2. I see that Chuck Davidson of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has already aligned himself with the new government in hopes of securing the massive funding he received from Brian Pallister and continued by the Stefanson government to fuel businesses initiatives.

I confess that I am not convinced that funding a lobby group was a good business move.

Corrections

Correction and apology to Muriel Archer

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n our last issue, we carried a story about Muriel Archer turning 100. In writing the subheadline and caption, she was mistakenly identified as Muriel Carver. Her married name is correctly Archer. So sorry, Muriel and we hope you had a wonderful 100th birthday! whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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Peace

What if there was a war and nobody came?

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ndrew Carnagie understood: adults do not go to if he did not go to war. The Kaiser did not reply.

As the war continued, dissent amongst the Commonwar, children do. He believed, if common people became educated on how to take charge of their ers grew. Millions were being slaughtered on Flanders own lives and plan their own futures, they would no Fields while financiers and armament manufacturers longer need a parent figure to tell them what to do; were laughing all the way to the bank and nations were going bankrupt. To distance himself from they could mature into adults with sense his German roots and his German relaenough not to go to war. Carnagie retives, King George V changed the name alised, to educate the masses would take of the British royal family from Saxeyears, probably generations. Nevertheless, Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. The German he began his project by spending millions people’s love for the Kaiser was turning of dollars building “Free for All” librarto hate. The Kaiser, fearing for his life, ies around the world and filling these lifled from angry and rioting mobs into the braries with books by insightful thinkers Netherlands. The Czar was not so lucky, such as Thomas Paine, Benjamin Frankhe was apprehended by revolutionists and lin, Robert G. Ingersoll, Gerald Massey, assassinated in July 1918. However, after Charles Chiniquy, Charles Darwin, and his death, the Czar was immortalised for others, including his friend, Samuel Cledoing God’s work. The Church canonised mens. Carnegie believed, if properly enWayne Weedon him as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer. lightened, one day the masses will WAKE Food for During the French Revolution, after UP AND LIVE. It is only then, they will the aristocrats and the clergy were either no longer be childish slaves to despotic Thought beheaded or banished from France, the leaders, and everyone will be able to live people had the opportunity to form a true in peace and harmony.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Andrew Carn- democratic republic, a government of the people, by egie could plainly see that Europe was heading towards the people, and for the people. However, these citizens a major war and he tried his best to prevent this from eagerly gave up their freedom to Napoleon Bonaparte, happening. Being the wealthiest person in the world, even though Napoleon had welcomed the people’s forkings, emperors, and other world leaders listened to mer oppressors, the Church, and the French Aristocracy, what Carnegie had to say, but he could not convince back into France. At Napoleon’s coronation, Pope Pius these heads of state to maintain peace. They had been VII presented the crown to Napoleon who placed it on playing with tin soldiers for years and now they wanted his own head. This was a symbolic gesture indicating that Napoleon is above the Pope and the Pope answers to experience the real thing.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the to Napoleon. This is why Napoleon is sometimes reheir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the excuse ferred to as the last Holy Roman Emperor.

In Germany, after the Kaiser fled, the German popufor igniting World War 1 which was predominantly a family matter involving the eldest grandchild of Eng- lation eventually gave control of their lives to a new savland’s Queen Victora, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, iour, their Führer (leader), Adolf Hitler.

Like children, the masses like to make-believe they are his first cousin, King George V of England, and another cousin, Czar Nicholas II of Russia. For years, all three a king or emperor playing a watered-down game of war had been building up armies and navies in anticipation while sitting in the grandstands, arena, or safely at home of war. The battles would take place on foreign turf watching television. Like real war, hockey, football, and where the monarchs, acting like football team owners, boxing are true blood sports, and the more blood the could control their players from a safe distance. In the better, as long as it’s someone else’s blood.

“We become what we think about.” and “We reap hope that the Kaiser’s greed was a bigger vice than his vanity, Carnegie offered him 11-million British pounds what we sow.” These are two of nature’s universal laws

British poster calling for volunteers World War I. Image courtesy of the US Library of Congress. which Andrew Carnegie well understood. He explained, this is why, since the beginning of recorded history, there has been one war after another. War has always been the predominant thought on people’s minds. Politicians who are motivated by money and power continually talk about fighting. We are not told that all citizens of the world are the same, All-One. They keep on telling us we are different from our neighbours; we are the good guys, and they are the bad ones.

What if there was a war and nobody came?

Next Month: An Ounce of Prevention Wayne Douglas Weedon is a Manitoba author who writes a combination of fictional and factual stories, essays, and novels.

Portage and Mount Royal, and the Silver Heights apartments from 1953 to 2023

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o celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. James (starting just west of St. James Street to Sturgeon Road) breaking away from Assiniboia to form their own municipality, I am doing street profiles.

This column features Portage and Mount Royal.

Coffee Shop. After John left to work at Eatons, Sully Bay became the owner of Silver Heights Pharmacy. The pharmacy had a soda fountain. The Silver Heights Pharmacy also sold paper tickets to the annual Winnipeg Blue Bomber Blue and Gold Intra Squad Game.

Lillian and Thomas Guld owned Tiny n May 29, 1952, a front-page Town Children Wear.

Many professionals Winnipeg Free have had offices in Silver Press story, stated Heights mall. They inthat excavation had startcluded Doctor Ken Mc ed on contractor Frank Kenzie (who made house Lount’s $550,000 Silver calls), dentists Ronald JorHeights Apartments. This don, Roy Queen, and Allan story will deal with those Macklin and lawyer Mort apartments, the Silver Nemy. The office in numHeights Mall, and a couple ber 211 was home to the of businesses on the northCentral Canada Synod of west corner of Portage and the Evangelical Lutheran Mount Royal.

Church under the leaderThe businesses gone but ship of Dr. Otto Olson (Mr. not forgotten Fred Morris Lutheran in Canada) and On June 20, 1953, the From the desk Dr. Lee Luetkehoelter. (1) Esso station on the Northof a gadfly west corner of Portage and Current Businesses Mount Royal gave away Since Boxing Day 2009, 700 free orchids to mark their grand Geordie and Jill Willson’s San Vito Cofopening. The station advertised “24-hour fee Shop has been a meeting place. San complete one stop service”. Dave Dzogan Vito’s specializes in Costa Rican coffee. A and Joe Shaddy were the proprietors. bank vault visible from the customer area On August 25, 1954, St. James Mayor reminds customers of a time when there Tom Findlay officially opened the 12-lane were Portage Avenue bank branches servSilver Heights Bowling Alley. The alley ing the people of St. James. also had three pool tables. In 1965, the For over a quarter of a century, Food Silver Heights Bowling Alley joined 20 Fare, operated by the Zeid family, has beother Winnipeg area Bowling Alleys in come a place to meet and grocery shop. the Winnipeg Tribune Bowl. The prizes Munther Zeid stresses personalized serincluded trips to Hawaii, TVs, and tran- vice. In 2020 Tarik Zeid introduced a sistor radios. (What ever happened to weekend summer farmer’s market on the transistor radios?) parking lot in front of the store.

John Mainella Jr. founded Silver The Heights Archery and Hunting Heights Pharmacy. John had previously Supply (proprietors Ron Minion and worked with his parents at the Overdale Jason Sweet) has occupied the space

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of the bowling alley. They sell archery equipment, offer archery lessons, and host birthday parties.

In 1984, Freda’s Flower Nook, operated by Freda Pallett, opened. Edna Martin and Maria Cabral were subsequent flower shop owners. The current owner is Christine Lyons. Silver Heights Florists offers citywide delivery. (2) In 2021, Maxillo completed their second facility at 2305 Portage. Doctors Kurt Scherle, Jeff Bassey, Victor Le, and Ryan Howard provide these specialized oral health services.

Silver Heights apartments The residents of The Silver Heights apartments are first listed in the 1954 Henderson Directory. The first residents included Donald and Marjorie DeBoldt.

On January 8, 1954, DeBoldt Motors at 2001 Portage was destroyed by fire.

Dr. Christina Curran, and dentist Ron Jordon (previously mentioned) lived in the Silver Heights apartments in the early years.

Jack Meek of the Winnipeg Tribune wrote a 1954 story about Canadians serving in Korea. One of the soldiers mentioned was Doug Evans Doug. His wife Elsie and daughter Laurie resided in the Silver Heights Apartments.

In 1956, young John McAllistar, the young son of John and Barbara, is pictured having fun at Victoria Beach.

In a 1958 newspaper archive, Dolores Booth displays her two mosaics for her then Woodhaven home.

Cliff Overton, as a coach, and son Doug were members of the 1956 St. James Pee Wee Championship team.

William Metcalfe worked for 51 years as Eatons’ Statistics manager. Thomas Murray worked for over 50 years at Brown and Rutherford.

I noticed a few residents with ties to churches that are no longer in St. James.

Everett Hamm was the superintendent of Deer Lodge United Church. Pastor Eric Svava and family lived in the Silver Heights Apartments before moving to Garrioch. Eric played an important role in building the Ness Avenue building that is now the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Gordon Gardiner served as the second pastor of St. Bede Anglican Church. During Pastor Gardiner’s years the facility at 99 Turner was built in two phases. This building was recently sold.

Roy and Dilla Sallows, my aunt and uncle, lived in the Silver Heights apartments. Dilla worked for the St. James Police Department. Roy was a driver tester. As a delivery driver, I often think of driving with Uncle Roy and listening to his interesting commentary on the road about what was happening.

I want to thank everyone who attended the September 23 St. James Trivia Night.

Also, I would like to thank everyone who donated prizes. Finally, I would like to thank the volunteers who helped me put the evening on.

Foot notes: 1. The original businesses were General Foods, Dr. Ronald Jordon Dentist, North American Life Association, J T Moyles Campbell Soup, Village Salon, The Abbott Clinic a branch office, Serv-Well Super Market, Tiny Towns Children Wear, Silver Heights Pharmacy, the Silver Heights Bowling Alley, and the Royal Bank.

2. The current businesses in the mall are Food Fare, San Vitos, Silver Heights Florists, Dr. Mutchmor a dentist, Metabolik Fitness, Mante, Excell Credit Gowler Agencies the Souvenir People.

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

November 2023

Notes on bereavement

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any people have provided me with wonder- with your will and other important papers.

Even if you feel that your estate is very simple and ful words of wisdom on death and grieving over the past month. Much of this informa- should not be a problem to settle, or even if you do not have a spouse or children to who tion is very helpful while navigating you would like to inherit your worldly the practical and emotional challengtreasures, make sure that you have a cures related to the loss of a loved one. rent will that outlines the distribution of There are many decision items, large your estate in a range of different sceand small, that face families when narios. This is a significant kindness to one of their close family members is your loved ones, and it can prevent a disterminally ill or dies suddenly. It is at tribution of your estate that you would that most terrible of times that people not like to see. If you have a significant suddenly realize that there were many change in your family status, be sure to things that should have been discussed up-date your will to reflect these changes. and decided earlier in life. We all think Also, change beneficiaries on life-insurthat we have many years in which ance, pensions, RRSPs, or other assets these decisions can be discussed, but Trudy Schroeder where that is possible. sometimes that time is shorter than This may seem like a strange thing we had expected. Perhaps it is always Random to recommend, but I would suggest shorter than we had expected.

Notes that you give some thought to a photo While it is a very difficult subject to you may wish to have attached to your broach, we all need to have a conversation with our nearest and dearest about end-of-life obituary. These days people take many photos with issues well before the end of life. A record should be the cameras on their cell phones, but they print very made of our decisions on items such as our feelings few photos, and they are not very good about filing about resuscitation, cardiac assistance, ventilation, or their photos in a logical or retrievable manner. Take other life continuing treatments. If you believe that the time to select a photo or two that you feel provide you do not want to be subject to extensive life saving a good likeness of yourself and leave the photos with methods, be very clear about a Do Not Resuscitate your important documents.

Do consider making gifts to charities you have valorder. Make sure your family members know about ued in your life. Your family members may not be this, and that it is on your medical file.

It would also be very useful to develop some type of aware of causes or organizations that are particularly a family code system that can help people communi- important to you. Do them the favour of being clear cate with each other if a family member is intubated in indicating the causes that you would like to see supand ventilated and can no longer speak. A set of sym- ported by those who might wish to donate in your bols to show love, discomfort, pain, need for medica- honour. Also, consider making a planned gift through tion, or more blankets would be very useful. It can be your will, an insurance policy, or a transfer of the reshockingly difficult to come up with a “charades” kind sidual of your RRSP accounts.

Consider the type of memorial service your family of language when one family member is not able to will hold in your memory. A memorial service helps express their needs in words.

If you wish to be an organ donor, be sure to fill out your family members, friends, relatives, colleagues, the forms that make this possible, and you should also and community members through the mourning prolet your family members know your wishes. If you cess, so do not be too quick to request that there be wish to be cremated or have a green burial, be sure to no memorial service held in your memory. If possible, leave a record of that wish, or you can make arrange think about the elements that might reflect your perto pay for these services ahead of time. If you have a sonality and values well. A service does not have to be family burial plot and headstone that has been paid for religious in nature, although if a religious service is in advance, be sure to leave records of this investment important to you, be clear about that as well. If there

Preparing for your departure helps make it easier on your family when the inevitable happens. are readings or poems that you appreciated in life, leave copies in your file. If there are songs or hymns that you loved and are meaningful to you, leave the name and artist of those songs with your file as well.

Your important papers should include the following items: a list of accounts and passwords, bank accounts, investment accounts, passports, marriage certificate, birth certificate, will, pension details, life insurance documents, deeds and tax information for homes, cottages, cars, boats, and a list of all your point programs with banks, vendors, airlines, hotels, and other point programs that may have accumulated over time. Also, leave a set of keys for houses, cars, safety deposit boxes, or other locked items.

If possible, leave a recording of yourself talking about your life story. It is amazingly comforting to be able to listen to the voice of a loved one once the person is no longer with you. If you sing, sing a song.

If you recite poetry, recite a poem. Be sure to tell your family members that you love them, and you wish them healthy, happy, and productive lives.

There are books that can help you frame and organize this process for yourself, but it just takes some thought and consideration for the people you will leave behind. Preparing for your departure is a loving thing to do for the people who care about you the most.

Step 9

Forgiveness is what you offer, not what you demand

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hen I was at the Addictions to do so would injure them or others.

I had questions about Step 9. What Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) for their 28-day in- would these direct amends consist of? resident program I became quite familiar Who would decide what amends were with 12-step programs. While I thought required? What if I approached a person, that some of the steps had merit, 12 asking for forgiveness and the wrong I was referring to was somesteps seemed to be 11 too thing they didn’t think many, so I developed my was a problem? Wouldn’t own One Step program that open up a potential which has served me well, problem? What if I forgot but out of the original 12 about someone, and they steps, there were two, and were waiting for me to one in particular, with approach them, wonderwhich I had a problem. ing why I was ignoring Step 8. Make a list of all the issue? And what if I persons we have harmed, asked someone for their and become willing to forgiveness, and they said make amends to them all. no? How would I move on Making a list of everyfrom that, knowing every one I ever offended might day that that person held a have proven problematic.

Rick Duerksen grudge against me?

There’s a story about a Reach Friday, November 9th, person who dies and ends 1973. Towards the end up in the reception area of the school day, I, along of Heaven. He is given a piece of chalk and told to walk up the with the rest of the students at Abbotssteps toward the Pearly Gates, and as ford Senior High were heading into the he ascends, he is to write down all the gymnasium for the Remembrance Day sins he recalls committing. Part way up, assembly. We were all loud, boisterous, there is a disruption in the flow, caused and looking forward to the upcoming by someone coming down the steps. The long weekend. We just had to sit through man going up the stairs asks the person the 30-minute program and then we “Why are you leaving?” The person re- could go. My English teacher, John Witplies, “Leaving? I’m not leaving, I’m just tenberg, was going to give the speech.

He started by asking “Remembrance going back for more chalk.” That would be me. Making a list of the people I have Day. Why do we want to call it Rememharmed might take longer than the time brance Day?” He listed many of the horI have left. Then, after making a list, I rific things about war. Why would we was supposed to go and make amends. want to remember those, he asked. MayThis is the step with which I had the be, he said, we should call it Forgetting Day. But then he mentioned all the good greatest issue.

Step 9. Made direct amends to such things that had come about because of people wherever possible, except when war. We don’t want to forget that, so callNovember 2023

The power of forgiveness is something we can all learn to practice. ing it Forgetting Day is out. Maybe, he suggested, we should call it Forgiveness Day. And he talked about forgiveness.

Not about asking someone for their forgiveness, but forgiving others. Forgiving those who had hurt you, those you felt had wronged you. He talked about the power of forgiveness. Of the freedom, forgiveness could bring. I can still hear him, I can still see him, as he leaned over the podium and spoke directly to each of us. We had entered the auditorium as a typical bunch of loud, boisterous, teenagers. We left, quiet and more somber than might have seemed possible.

When I was at AFM, my counselor helped me realize that I was carrying some grudges, that I was carrying around with me old hurts and resentments. Unless I dealt with those, I would not be able to fully recover from my years of alcohol abuse. I might be able to quit drinking, but I would be what is referred to as a dry drunk. I knew I had to do something. I remembered what my English teacher had said, and for the first

time, I was able to fully understand what he had been talking about. I knew that I had to forgive. I couldn’t wait for people to come to me and ask for my forgiveness because I’m sure that might never happen. So, I forgave them. I didn’t tell them, I didn’t contact them, I didn’t let them know. I just forgave them and wrote them a letter that they will never get. Not holding onto the anger and bitterness allowed me to move forward, without that weight holding me back.

Forgiving, instead of asking for forgiveness. Step 9, in reverse.

Maybe we should call November 11th, ‘Remembrance, Forgetting, Forgiveness Day’. A day to remember, not to forget about, the power of forgiveness.

I can be reached at hangar14@telus.net

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5

Former Premier Heather Stefanson says new Premier must stay on economic track for the future of Manitoba Dorothy Dobbie

with the good of the province in mind, Heather is hoping Wab will reach out and reassure the proponents that his government cares about development espite losing the election, former Premier and the economy and that he will be able to keep Heather Stefanson is still upbeat and ex- these businesses interested in investing here.

“His mantra has been that the “economic horse cited about the future of Manitoba. “We pulls the social cart”,” she said. “He did so many good things,” she said, has a degree in economics, so I hope including former premier Brian Pallisthat this was not just an empty sloter in her assessment. “We turned the gan. I am sure he understands that economy around. We made Manitoba Manitoba can’t afford the benefits more competitive. I truly hope Wab that he has promised without further will keep the momentum going.” investment.

Asked about her exit interview with “He also needs to remember,” said the new premier, she responded, “It Heather, “that he governs for all and was brief, but positive. He asked for that 42% of the votes went to our some technical advice, and I am leavparty. Those people deserve represening him a transition letter that I hope tation not just by us, but by his govwill ease his way at the outset.” ernment.”

She continued. “The next few Some time later this fall, perhaps months will be the honeymoon peHeather Stefanson in mid-November, the new governriod where everyone will be getting The former ment will present its speech from the accustomed to the new House – there Premier’s priorities throne laying out the NDP agenda. are so many new MLAs on both sides, If they were serious about their platand we have very few who have previously served in Opposition on our side. The role form being one that respects the need for a vibrant economy, it will be interesting to see how they hantakes some time to learn.”

She sees the role of the Opposition as the force to dle the details of their promises. “They pulled our keep the government in line and to provide produc- platform right out from under us,” said Heather. tive criticism. “In these early months, we are still “It is not a new trick. But it was clear during the fully informed, and they are not. That gives us an television debate that the NDP had not fleshed out advantage in terms of keeping them on track. We what those promises really entailed and Wab was have to continue to push to make sure that things just repeating his lines. Now they have to figure out what that all means.” that are in the works actually happen.”

Right now, the NDP will be working feverishly She has in mind the 66 companies and projects that were about ready to burst onto the scene, add- to sort out priorities. That is going to be a challenge ing as much as $8 billion a year to our coffers, and as they will be faced with some seriously conflicting

D

agendas within their own caucus.

Already, we see backtracking on such ideas as cutting the gas tax which would cost the treasury some $330 million a year, almost twice as much as the government gives the city for street maintenance.

The promise to open three new emergency wards is also likely to be “delayed” indefinitely as it is not a feasible alternative at this point. They will, however, be able to fill those 300 nursing jobs as the Tories have already recruited the 300 new nurses from the Philippines and they should begin to arrive soon.

Most importantly, though, from the former Premier’s point of view, is that there continues to be progress on the revenue generation side of things.

“Without growth in our economy, we can’t do anything for long,” said Heather. “We can’t rely on federal windfalls or on some kind of organic growth based on adding civil servants to the payroll. That leaves tax increases, and we are already one of the higher taxed jurisdictions. We will lose productive people and jobs if taxes get out of control again.”

Wab Kinew, or someone in the NDP must understand that tax increases are not in the cards, as he also promised to not to ditch the Tory education tax cuts for homeowners.

“As I said at the outset,” the former Premier concluded, “I am excited to be going forward. I want to see my Party being the best Opposition they can be, and I want to see a fair and well-organized leadership process established so that I can leave with confidence when the time is right.”

Not that she intends to sink into the sunset. When all this is over, she will be looking to the future for a new way to serve. It is what she does. It is who she is. “I am sure some new project will come along,” she says. And when it does, she will be ready.

War! More Spending! … More Immigration? … More Inflation?

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want to try to avoid commenting begins, governing officials of Western on the political or demographic as- nations announce massive funding for pects of the two big wars everyone our alliance members to support their is focused on these days, while provid- war effort. Many, many hundreds of billions of dollars, financed ing insight into how these with government debt, global events are impactare pumped into all facets ing the economy of “the of supporting the war efWest”. I think it’s imporfort and, because of the tant to think about it beurgency, the costs are typicause, ultimately and especally inflated. War is very cially given our more than expensive. The spending ever globally integrated simply adds to the money economic structure, even supply side of the equaeveryday people far, far tion (more dollars in ciraway from any war zone culation = lower value of are negatively affected. the dollar) and creates a There is a class of peoRomel Dhalla bump in economic activple that is not so negativeity, as government spendly impacted, but I won’t On The ing normally would. This be considering Nancy PeMoney early enhanced economic losi’s, or any other politiactivity is accounted for cian’s, trading account. I also won’t be discussing multi-national by the production of war supplies, defense contractors and how well they weapons, troops, aid, etc. All this acmay be faring. The latter is an unfor- tivity fuels job growth, supports wages, tunate circumstance of our (the West’s) and gets circulated in the global econoneed for superior weapon systems de- my with much of it coming right back livered by private companies to defend to the West, which is also the supplier our strategic interests against those that of much of the materials and weapons oppose them. That is the way it is. It that go to war zones.

As the war goes on, cities and popuis also important to note that one can assume there is a long-term economic lations are ravaged, and the civilians of drag created by the aftereffects of war impacted nations flee and seek to mi– the deaths, the impoverishment of grate. You may recall the massive migrathe losing side, and all the destruction tion of Syrians that fled their civil war that comes with it – but those elements and, more recently, a major influx of aren’t localized in the West and so are Ukrainian immigrants fleeing the Rusduly ignored for the basis of this article. sian invasion of their country. Where So, back to everyday people who are do these millions of dislocated, often not in control of wars no matter what poor, migrants go? (If you guessed, flag they put on their Facebook pro- “countries that give them an immedifiles. Outside of what older generations ate standard of living above the poverty see on television or what younger ones line” you would be correct – please affix see in their social media feeds, there is a gold star to the breast of your coat.) no way for any ordinary citizen of the Yes, they go to economically advanced West to interact or engage in the con- countries that also advocate for human flict, which I think is a little unfair giv- rights and dignities (and rightly, so), because they are deemed to be able to en how impacted we will be soon.

A few days after a war on foreign soil afford caring for war refugees. Some 6

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countries that could easily afford taking refugees, but don’t, are Japan, which is taking a token number of refuges for the first time ever, and China, which takes zero. I won’t comment any further about that. Of course, many of these refugees are more than capable of entering the workforce and most do, which is a good thing because they become taxpayers and contributors to society. Both the Syrian and Ukrainian experience has shown this to be mostly true.

So far, this all sounds pretty good for countries that don’t have to deal with the death and destruction that comes with war, right? Well, not so fast. The reality is that increasing the money supply, especially at such a rapid pace and at great cost (or inefficiently), to fuel the military industrial complex all adds to inflation. This wouldn’t matter as much if inflation was within an acceptable range at or below 3%. But, as you well know, since inflation is already high, we can fully expect war spending to continue to push up inflation. Another factor to consider is that war often brings economic sanctions to punish enemy states of the West. Sanctions on the most significant industries, like grain shipments from Ukraine that were/are stopped by a Russian blockade or the likely sanctions against Iran, an accused state sponsor of Hamas, that will shut down three- to four-million barrels of oil from leaving daily. In the case of Iran’s pending sanctions, we can fully expect oil prices to stay high or move higher since the West has handicapped itself by shutting down its own oil production and that the US has massively depleted their Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Since oil fuels air travel, shipping, rail, trucks, and most vehicles on a global basis we can expect any product that moves through the supply chain, which is almost all of them, to bear those costs. I also

mentioned in my last article how immigration increases housing demand beyond new supply of homes and keeps housing prices out of reach for many families. The increased demand for all goods that we’d normally expect immigrants to consume, food, transportation, etc., in combination with the impacts of war, will push inflation even higher. That should mean higher interest rates for even longer.

All of this does not bode well for people in the West, as we are carrying a record amount of debt. Many are not even paying their mortgages down but are paying the cost of interest alone.

Credit card debts are also at record levels. Governments of the west are paying for social goods and entitlements like health and education with never-beforeseen levels of borrowed money. This is especially true in Canada.

I’m afraid that all of this will not end well for us, as the odds that our economy will avoid a real recession are ever diminishing. Sadly, that also means that the West will be hard pressed to rebuild the parts of the world that are or will be destroyed. Much of Syria and Afghanistan are still in shambles. So, please pray and ask for a quick and decisive end to all war as it is in everyone’s best interest to stop all the negative things that it brings.

Romel Dhalla, President of Dhalla Advisory Corp., provides strategic corporate finance advice to companies and high net worth individuals and was a portfolio manager and investment advisor with two major Canadian banks for 17 years. Contact him at romel@dacorp.ca. Any views or opinions represented in this article are personal and belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.

November 2023

The Italians sometimes just make things right – caprese chicken!

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hen you have a craving for something, do you typically ‘Just do it!’ Recently I found myself craving balsamic vinegar – don’t ask me why – for the life of me I couldn’t tell you.

Certain meals, when I sit and think about them, just make my mouth salivate. They must trigger my memory … you know, the memory of aroma, of taste and how it changes the very air that your breathe. This is one of those dishes.

Having traveled much over the years, a recipe that has always been a firm favourite is caprese Ian Leatt chicken. It is simple, easy Foodies to cook, jam-packed with flavour and simply delicious!

Here is what you will need: For the chicken 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

4 cloves garlic, minced 500 gram’s sweet tomatoes, halved 4 tablespoons basil roughly chopped 4 thick slices fresh mozzarella

For the linguini Generous portion linguini, cooked al dente 3 cloves garlic, crushed 3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley Pinch of salt 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 ½ tablespoons fresh parmesan The all important how to: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the olive oil. Dry the chicken with a kitchen towel and lightly season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken into the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, 6 minutes per side should do the trick. Set aside on a plate.

Turn the heat down a little, then pour the balsamic vinegar into skillet, add the garlic and simmer for about, one minute, stirring constantly. Place the tomatoes into the skillet and lightly season with salt. Leave to simmer until soft. Finally stir in the basil.

Place the chicken back into the skillet and snuggle in with the tomatoes. Top with fresh thick slices of mozzarella and cover with a lid allowing time for the cheese to melt.

Place a pot of water on the stove. Season with salt

and pour in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bring to a boil and add in the linguini. Cook for 12 minutes, then remove from the heat and strain. Once strained place in a large stainless steal bowl. In the same pot you just cooked the linguini in, pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and place back on the stove on a medium heat, add to this the garlic and parsley. Cook for 2 minutes.

Remove from the heat then pour on to the linguini.

Toss gently.

In serving, spoon the tomatoes over the chicken. I had this with linguini, tossed with garlic, parmesan, olive oil and freshly chopped parsley. Satisfying? You bet!

Ian Leatt is a trained chef from across the pond.

Embarrassing moments in sport How unexpected air conditioning helped me score a goal!

Robert E. Wrigley

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he internet is awash with videos showing people having embarrassing moments in pursuit of their chosen sport, and they often cause me to burst out laughing. One such incidence, a wardrobe mishap which occurred on the ice during a figure-skating competition, immediately reminded me of a not-sofunny, ice-related mishap of my own some years ago.

As a youth, I had enjoyed playing hockey for years with my friends at an outdoor rink, but with an eventual heavy course load, teaching, and thesis work for nine years at McGill and the University of Illinois, I had to forego my beloved game.

When I moved to Winnipeg to take up my new career, I eventually joined an Oldtimers League, and passed the long winters playing games on weekday nights at 11:00 pm and Sunday mornings at 8:00 am, the only times arena ice was available.

Some years later, my wife and I joined up with six other couples to regularly play badminton, and our group soon became close friends. The guys convinced me it would be fun to form a hockey team and challenge other old-timers in the neighbourhood. As most former amateur hockey players know, it is tempting in one’s senior years once again to don old and replacement hockey equipment and attempt to recapture the thrill and companionship of playing on a team. Our supportive wives all agreed to attend the games and to cheer us on in the stands right behind our bench. I had no inkling that fate was soon to step in and create what would turn out to be one of my life’s most embarrassing incidents.

During the heat of the game, it was my line’s turn to hit the ice while the play continued. I threw both feet and my behind gracefully over the high boards just like a pro, instead of wisely exiting via the door. With the gusto of youth, I thought; “Yes, I still have it!” Sadly, there was an evil nail protruding from the top rail of the boards that managed to deftly latch onto one of the open legs of my hockey pants. You might anticipate what happened next; I got hooked like a fish out of water. Looking down at my poor skates, there they were, floating helplessly some November 2023

distance above where they were supposed to be. My bulky elbow and shoulder pads stubbornly refused to permit me to pull myself back up, and the situation dawned on me that I was entirely helpless, hanging like a picture on an art gallery wall for all to enjoy.

Well, when my team mates on the bench and dear cheerleaders became aware of my predicament, the arena erupted suddenly in howls of laughter, which soon spread like the wave to the other team and their wives. Talk about embarrassing!

Play went on without me as I watched helplessly, leaving my wingers to wonder what happened to their centerman. What could I possibly do to extricate myself? My team members on the bench were certainly not going to help me; they were too entertained and were waiting to see what was going to happen next!

Several potential options flashed across my mind, but only one seemed to lead to a solution. I decided the only course of action was to quickly shift my torso and shoulders upward and then back down as forcefully as possible, which I presumed would yank my indisposed pant leg free.

But then I heard the frightening sound of polyester fabric ripping, followed by my sudden descent and sprawl on my hands and knees onto ice level.

As I gathered up my hockey stick and got back up on my skates, I glanced back over my shoulder only to see that the rip had really opened the back of my pants, fully exposing the bright white pair of long johns covering my right butt. What followed next was the sound not only of renewed laughter, but hoots and the clapping of many female hands arising from behind me in the stands, as if the ladies were enjoying a riotous evening at a Chippendales performance. No one even thought to take pity on me, not even my wife or the referee. What to do?

What else could I do but join the play?

For the rest of the game, I skated with the red material of my hockey pants flapping in the breeze, my white underwear repeatedly flashing a signal that not all was right here. At least my protective cup stayed put.

In the third period, I was able to handle a long pass, which enabled me to attain a breakaway. Outskating the pursuing and chuckling defensemen, I managed to deftly deke out the goalie and score. I have

always wondered if my unusual air conditioning, or distractive open hockey pants, led to my success with that goal!

The unfortunate episode somehow remains fresh in my mind, though decades have now passed. I am certain that many

readers of Lifestyles 55 have also experienced embarrassing moments (and not just in a sporting event). Perhaps my revelation will encourage others to ‘come clean’ with theirs.

Sharing sometimes helps with recovery.

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7

In Remembrance In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

- John McCrae

Lest we Forget Henderson Highway Legion Branch No. 215 The Royal Canadian Legion 215 Maxwell King Dr. East St. Paul, MB

Lest We Forget 11.11.23

Heather Stefanson

MLA for Tuxedo 204.487.0013 tuxconst@mymts.net 8

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November 2023

u

We remember them Continued from page 1

plified the Canadian spirit and earned him this prestigious award.

Sergeant-Major Frederick William Hall, a member of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps, also received the Victoria Cross. On April 24, 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium, Hall went above and beyond the call of duty. He stayed behind with a wounded comrade, shielding him from enemy fire and tending to his injuries, even though the situation was dire. Hall ultimately succumbed to his wounds.

Corporal Leo Clarke, a Winnipegger, earned the Victoria Cross during World War I for his incredible bravery during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Despite being wounded multiple times, he continued to press forward and capture a German trench.

He single-handedly attacked and eliminated a German machine gun position, taking out its crew and capturing the gun. Tragically, he was killed in the process.

The street was renamed in 1925 to commemorate their exceptional sacrifice and bravery.

But these were not the only Winnipeg War heroes to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Lieutenant Colonel William Johnstone Milne was recognized for his courage during the Battle of Falaise in Normandy during World War II. On August 8, 1944, Milne led his men in a daring assault on enemy positions, even though he was suffering from injuries. His relentless determination and leadership helped secure the success of the mission and earned him the Victoria Cross.

Private John Bernard Croak, an-

The plaque giving information on the Victoria Cross. Photo by Krazy Tea. other Winnipeg native, received the Victoria Cross. He was a member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I. On August 8, 1918, during the Battle of Amiens, Croak displayed exceptional bravery when he single-handedly attacked and captured a series of enemy positions.

His selfless actions played a significant role in the success of the battle and earned him the Victoria Cross.

The stories of these Victoria Cross awardees from Winnipeg highlight the exceptional courage and selflessness

displayed by Canadian soldiers in the face of adversity. Their actions exemplify the true spirit of heroism, and their awards stand as a testament to the sacrifices made by individuals from all walks of life during times of war.

And no discussion of Winnipeg War heroes is complete without a mention of our Indigenous hero, Tommy Prince.

Thomas George Prince MM SSM was a grandson of Chief Peguis, a hero in his own right for saving the Selkirk Settlers. Tommy was a Canadian war

hero and the most decorated soldier in the First Special Service Force or Devil’s Brigade, an elite American-Canadian commando unit, during World War II. He was Canada’s most decorated First Nations soldier, serving in World War II and the Korean War. Tommy’s military deeds as a scout and as a forward combatant were unique and of major strategic importance.

He was awarded the Military Medal (in person by the King himself!) the Silver Star Decorations, and also the 1939-1945 Star, The Italy Star, The France and Germany Star, The Defence Medal, The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp, and The War Medal 1939-1945. Born in 1915, he passed away in 1977.

All these brave men died for a cause that continues to protect us today. We must remember their valour and honour their deeds. This brief list does little to reflect the heroism of so many of our young men and women of the past. Every small town has a memorial to all those who served. Out of a sparse population of just 600,000 in 2014, 61,543 left home to fight and 7,760 did not return from World War I. Another 4,000 were lost in World War II. These statistics do not reflect the lives that were ruined because of trauma to the soldiers.

We remember them as we honour all the men and women who, like Muriel (Thickett) Archer who celebrated her 100th birthday on Thanksgiving weekend, worked as nurses and in factories, on farms and driving truck here at home to help the war effort.

Let us cherish their sacrifice by doing everything we can to preserve our democracy.

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.

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.

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TACIUM VINCENT & ASSOCIATES 206 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2H 1J3 DAVID G. VINCENT (204) 989-4236 www.taciumvincent.com

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A Canadian First!

In November, Manitoba Opera presents the first full-scale, indigenous led opera, Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of The North

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i Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North (pronounced lee cur), the first full-scale Indigenous-led opera presented on a Canadian opera mainstage will open Manitoba Opera’s 2023/24 Season at the Centennial Concert Hall with three performances: November 18, 22, and 24.

This cross-cultural collaboration is a celebration of Métis women, language, and culture. It was conceptualized by Métis poet and librettist Dr. Suzanne M. Steele and co-composed by champion fiddler Alex Kusturok and Neil Weisensel, who is also conducting.

“With Li Keur, I am trying to reconnect so much of that which was lost to my Gaudry, Fayant, Morin, DuCharmes, David, Beauchamps, and Desjardins families, and for so many other Michif families, and that is, each other,” explains Dr. Steele. “Sometime around the 1870s, our vibrant, intact, and prosperous families and communities were cast, scattered like windflowers across the prairies into a century and a half of hard times.

And so, in a way through this work, I try to emulate the Anishinaabe keeper of the medicines, Marie Serpente (named in part for an ancestor of mine), who in this opera — as all our women for centuries and millennia — sews together the violence of men not once, but twice, that is, the violence of the historic. But importantly, I am also trying, as all Indigenous women continue to, sew together our cultures, our webs of family, and from the sometimes ugly in this world, make something beautiful.

In this, through words and story, I have tried to bead some of our world for us to share and enjoy together once again and to shine a light on who we are.”

Li Keur places Métis culture, a founding culture of our province, on Manitoba Opera’s mainstage. The Red River jig, which features prominently in the score, along with other traditional and contemporary Métis music by Kusturok, is for the Métis peoples, not only a national anthem, it is a prayer, a celebration, and a compass with which Michifs find their way home. Red River music, born of a specific place and rooted in a specific culture, continue to thrive and with Li Keur this music is celebrated through the power of Métis fiddle, dance, language, and through the operatic voice.

This epic music and song experience features 11 vocal

The creative team and cast workshopping Li Keur in August. Photo by G. Ouskun. soloists, an adult chorus, a children’s chorus, fiddlers, jigging, dancers, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

“Working on Li Keur, Riel's Heart of the North has been nothing short of a transformational project for me since I started work on it in 2017,” said composer Neil Weisensel.

“Researching and composing this piece has changed how I work, how I teach, and how I see the world. Inspired by Suzanne Steele's powerful and poetic libretto and blessed to be able to collaborate with fellow composer Alex Kusturok, I feel like we have succeeded in creating a unique and entertaining story for Manitoba Opera's mainstage.”

At its heart, this opera seeks to celebrate Métis languages and ways of being. Sung in Southern Michif, French-Michif, Anishinaabemowin, French, and English, the opera’s text was developed with Indigenous language keepers. Li Keur brings these languages, which have survived decades of attempted erasure, back to the centre stage at the heart of this continent. English translations will be projected above the stage at performances.

In this historical, mystic opera, 21st century JoséphineMarie, through a grandmother's story, is transported to 1870s Montana where she encounters an ancestor, the sharpshooter Josette, a runaway travelling with Riel and the last buffalo brigades. There she falls in love with the young, passionate, Louis Riel, in disguise, on the run from assassins.

The pair confront jealousy, destiny, deprivation, and torment wrought by four shape-shifting Black Geese of Fate, but are comforted by ghost choruses of ancestors, the bison brigades, and the women of their peoples, as they try to salvage a nation and save themselves from total destruction in the burning heart of the continent of the 1870s.

BMO, a proud partner of Manitoba Opera for over a decade, has provided ground-breaking support as the underwriter of Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North.

For tickets and more information, go to mbopera.ca or call 204-944-8824.

Seeking top ballet talent

Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s 14-City Audition Tour

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anada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division (RWB School) is travelling to 14 cities across Canada and the United States to audition young artists for their prestigious professional training programs. Two virtual auditions will also take place in the New Year. “I encourage every aspiring artist with a passion to dance professionally to come out and audition,” shares Suzanne André, Principal, Professional Division. “If you want to explore the possibility of your passion becoming your lifelong career, now is the time to audition.”

In-person and virtual auditions give artists the opportunity to audition from anywhere across the country and around the globe and secure a spot at one of the top classical ballet training centres in Canada.

The RWB School auditions young artists for their two world-class, full-time Professional Division Programs: • Ballet Academic Program for grade 6 and up, is a full-time, seven-level program for young artists.

• Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant Program is a full-time, two-year, post-secondary training program for advanced-level classical ballet dancers who are making the transition from student to professional artist.

“The RWB School was my home away from home for four years. It’s a place that teaches technique and also recognizes 10

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Professional Division students. Photos by Kristen Sawatzky, courtesy of RWB. and encourages a dancer’s unique spark, creativity, and passion,” shares Elizabeth Lamont, RWB Principal artist and graduate of the RWB School Professional Division.

Following the audition process, selected students are invited to attend Summer Session in July 2024 in Winnipeg. After this intensive session, chosen students are accepted into the Regular Session training program from September 2024 to June 2025.

All students attending the RWB School Summer and Regular Session experience the new state-of-the-art RWB Student Living Centre. Completed in January 2022,

the five-level contemporary building connects directly to the RWB studios and includes dance and fitness studios, classrooms, recreation and relaxation spaces, an outdoor greenspace, a top-tier food service program and more – all in the spirit of balancing professional training with quality of life and student comfort. Visit RWB School Student Living Centre for more details.

“Today’s best practices for child safety and child development were the driving forces in the design of the RWB Student Living Centre which I know reassures families making the sometimes-difficult decision to send their child away from home. It

is a spectacular place where young people from around the world develop their artistry and their characters, cultivate lifetime friendships and experience training alongside Company artists in RWB’s studios,” adds RWB School Director, Stéphane Léonard.

Students who are unable to attend inperson or virtual auditions may send in a video application through the world’s largest arts network Acceptd, with a deadline date of May 1, 2024. Visit getacceptd. com/rwbschool to review requirements and submit video audition materials.

The Winnipeg audition will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, 380 Graham Avenue.

The time is now to register online. For the full 2023-24 RWB School Audition Tour City Schedule and registration details, visit RWB School Professional Division Audition | Locations, Schedules & Registration Details, email the RWB School at school@ rwb.org or call 1.204.957.3467.

The RWB School Professional Division Audition tour has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada and the Manitoba Arts Council. The RWB School gratefully acknowledges the support of our 2023-24 Auditions Presenting Sponsor IG Wealth Management, which also provides scholarships for one student from every province to attend Summer Session each year.

November 2023

Churchill, land of dreams for artists

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s we enjoy these last few days of fall, some of us that gets things done and enjoys doing it. I caught up are making final plans to head south for the win- with Roy by phone a few days ago as he was throwing his ter months, some of us are bracing for cold days gear into the van to drive to the Tundra Pub (of course) to play a gig that night. Roy is a musician and nights huddled indoors trying to deand videographer as well as a five-star comcide whether to hibernate in front of our munity events planner with sidekick and TV screens or to dash into a mall, concert imagiNorthern Champion Kyle Dingwall. hall or theatre, while a third group is acBoth are members of the imagiNorthern tively getting ready for a fabulously freteam as well as the Churchill Creative Colnetic winter filled with activity. Over the lective. If you want something lovely to next few months I will introduce you to six watch, check out Churchill Entertainment northern Community Champions that are with a hot cup of cocoa and see what more participating in the imagiNorthern project is offered through this lovely organization. and moving mountains to celebrate and https://youtu.be/0tKmdWbN6X0?si=gfi5 promote the cultural scene in their comJE6Cg1VxZ1CY munities…in -40 C. As Roy activated his vehicle’s Bluetooth, Even if you have never traveled north I’m we chatted about all the amazing things he, sure that you have heard about Churchill, Crystal Kolt Kyle and no doubt a slew of volunteers are Manitoba with its stark landscape and poImagine North preparing for over the next few months. lar bear and beluga whales tours. In your Bear season is upon them and that means mind’s eye you can picture a Tundra Buggy tourists! The Churchill Creative Collective parked on the cold white tundra with tourists photographing polar bears high up and safely behind has sent a call out to artisans and artists to participate in glassed windows. But you need to know there is so much the Bear Season Artisan Market.

This large craft sale takes place on October 29, Nomore.

Enter Roy Mexted! Roy grew up in Australia, where vember 5th and November 11th and is always immensely he met his wife in the rainforests in North Queensland. successful, bringing in between $20k to $30 thousand As a couple they continued their travels, looking for a annually! The Churchill Creative Collective (CCC) has ‘cool’ place to visit. Churchill looked exotic, and of a mission to support and promote local Churchill artists course, being on the 58th parallel, it would definitely be and makers and they are actively seeking a space to call cool. Roy is one of those effortlessly positive and end- home. Every bit helps! The CCC recently learned that lessly energetic guys that we all know, the kind of guy they were successful in their application to the Province

of Manitoba’s ACSC (Arts Council and Sport Community) Fund in the amount of $25,000 for a feasibility study to develop a space dedicated specifically to showcase local talent. The imagiNorthern committee celebrates this!

Flin Flon has seen firsthand what happens when you give an artist a home. The Uptown Emporium grew from 11 vendors to over 100 vendors just one year later.

Give an arts organization a home and it will feed the soul of a village. Churchill needs and deserves to have this in their town and we can’t wait for it to happen and we know the CCC will make it happen.

Aside from the Bear Season Market maybe you should plan to head north for the Freeze Up Event in November or WINTERRUPTION in early 2024, with none other than Winnipeg musicians Red Moon Road. (I’m hoping to take a trip north for that one!).

If you are interested in supporting northern makers please contact Crystal Kolt ckolt@flinflon.ca or imagiNorthern Project Manager Krista Lemcke krislemconsults@gmail.com.

Next Article features imagiNorthern: Thompson, Manitoba.

Learn about the Motown singing, Mall of the Arts president Andria Stevens and the wonderful magic that she is helping to create in her neck of the woods, south of the treeline, in terrific Thompson Manitoba.

Editor’s note: I am longing to go back to the north, to Flin Flon and The Pas and Churchill and Snow Lake, to Shamattawa and Cross Lake and Island Lakes . . . . Once bitten, forever infected with the energy, hope and creativity of the land and its people.

The DNA of a symphony musician The remarkable talent lineage of our WSO musicians

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uman beings are the product of and cellist David Popper performed chamthree hundred thousand years of ber music with Johannes Brahms. Isn’t it regenetic selection to produce the markable that Julie Savard is only three degrees of separation removed characteristics that define from Brahms? us as individuals. Like the Lorand Fenyves also studhuman traits passed down ied with Zoltán Kodály, the from generation to generaprolific composer, ethnomution, each musician on stage sicologist, pedagogue and in the Winnipeg Symphony philosopher. He was known Orchestra is the product internationally as the creator of generations of musical of the ‘Kodály method’ of knowledge passed down music education for chilfrom teacher to pupil. All dren. As a composer, Kodály of us who teach are aware utilized, and therefore prethat when we explain a speserved, folk music of Huncific technical detail during gary in his compositions. a lesson, we are not merely Arlene Dahl Is it any wonder then, that telling the student how we Lorand Fenyves was in such solved a particularly challenging part of an etude, sonata or concer- demand as a teacher here in Canada and to, often we are reiterating the very words, abroad? Perhaps that propensity to teach thoughts and philosophies of our teachers, was instilled in Julie as well.

Jan Kocman who themselves were the repositories of the Let me share another example of musical pedagogues that preceded them.

All the WSO musicians began their mu- lineage. Jan Kocman, the consummate prosical training at an early age, and each has fessional and distinguished principal flutist studied with a succession of teachers who of the Winnipeg Symphony has shared his inspired their pupils through their person- talent and artistry with Winnipeg audiences alities and musical knowledge. Many musi- for a half-century. His musical genealogy cians traveled to other countries and conti- extends back to eighteenth century France. nents in the pursuit of musical excellence. If Jan studied with James Pellerite (Principal one examines the biographies of the Win- Flute, Detroit Symphony and Professor of nipeg Symphony musicians, it becomes ap- Flute, Indiana University), who was taught parent that we have worked with a dazzling by William Kincaid (Principal Flute, Philaarray of mentors and professors. Some of delphia Orchestra. Kincaid studied with our teachers performed as concert soloists, Georges Barrére, the flutist who premiered some taught at prestigious music schools Claude Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi and academies, some did both. Some musi- d'un faune in 1894.

Barrére’s lineage continues back in time cians learned their craft with international concert stars, others learned from esteemed to Francois Devienne, a composer and permusicians in professional orchestras. And former of the 1700s. Devienne composed each of our teachers were, in turn, taught three hundred instrumental works, mostly in similar fashion by the soloists and sym- for winds, including a dozen flute concerphonic musicians of their generation. Every tos. This eighteenth century composer was artist you see on stage has at least an indi- known as ‘the Mozart of the Flute’. Devirect, if not direct, connection to the great enne’s teacher, Félix Rault was a composer composers and orchestral musicians of the and flutist in the Paris Opera Orchestra who, in turn, studied with Jean-Baptiste past.

Blavet, one of the finest virtuoso flutists Julie Savard Julie Savard, the highly proficient, talent- in France. Blavet was the Principal Flutist ed first violinist, (who also possesses a great in Louis XV’s ‘Musique du Roi’, and persense of humour), is highly sought after as formed the premiere of Georg Philipp Telea teacher herself. Julie studied with Lorand mann’s ‘Paris Quartets’. Our own principal Fenyves, the Hungarian-born, (natural- flutist has a direct musical tie to the court ized) Canadian concert violinist, chamber musicians of pre-revolutionary France.

Arlene Dahl musician and teacher whose pupils can be If you would permit me a bit of self-infound in symphony orchestras and concert hall stages around the world. Fenyves dulgence, I will share my own cello genealstudied with Jenö Hubay, a professor at the ogy. During my university years, there were Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. Hubay, two primary schools of cello pedagogy. One November 2023

embodied the teaching of Janos Starker, the other school was that of Leonard Rose. My two most influential teachers came from both camps, and if there are any of my colleagues reading this now, they might very well be thinking, ‘That explains a lot!’.

My professor at the University of Western Ontario was the legendary Japanese cellist, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, a protegé of János Starker. The Hungarian-Amerian cellist, Starker, attended the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest and stated he was most influenced by Zoltán Kodály, Béla Bartók and Ernö Dohnányi. After immigrating to the United States, János Starker became the Principal Cellist of the Dallas Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony before becoming the cello professor at the Indiana University.

Starker was taught by Adolf Schiffer, who was a pupil of David Popper. As I mentioned earlier, David Popper, Jenö Hubay and Johannes Brahms formed a piano trio, premiering Brahm’s Piano Trio No 3 in 1886. Both Julie Savard and I share common musical DNA tracing back to Brahms.

The other major cello influence in my life was Ron Leonard a respected pedagogue at the Eastman School of Music, the Aspen Festival and the Festival Casals, among others. He became, for 25 years, Principal Cello in the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Ron Leonard was a protegé of Leonard Rose.

After graduating from the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, Rose joined the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Arturo Toscanini, and eventually became the cello professor at the Juilliard School. Rose was taught by Felix Salmond, an English cellist and friend of Edward Elgar. Salmond was known for his chamber music performances, and ultimately became the cello instructor at the Curtis Institute. Salmond’s cello teacher was fellow Englishman, William Whitehouse, who was taught by Alfredo Piatti, the Italian cellist, teacher and composer.

Piatti was a friend and musical collaborator of Franz Liszt. Like Flesch and Rode’s violin methods, Piatti’s cello concertos, sonatas and his method book are standard fare for cello students.

Laszlo Baroczi And finally, one of the longest musical genealogy charts was submitted by Laszlo Baroczi. Laszlo, the extremely talented violist was born in Hungary and his musical timeline reads like the Who’s Who of string pedagogy. Laszlo studied with Gertrude Rossbacher, the second woman to break

the male barrier in the Berlin Philharmonic. Rossbacher studied with Max Rostal, a child prodigy who performed for Emperor Franz Josef I, and later taught at the Berlin Hochschule, the Guildhall School of Music, and the Conservatory in Bern. Rostal’s teacher was Carl Flesch whose ‘Scale System’ compendium is a staple of violin pedagogy. Flesch studied with Jacob Grün, pupil of Joseph Böhm. Böhm was the director of the Vienna Conservatory in the nineteenth century who counted Ludwig van Beethoven among his friends. Böhm’s string quartet premiered Beethoven’s String Quartet #12 and he performed in the orchestra which played the first performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, led by the composer himself.

Böhm’s teacher was Pierre Rode, who served as violin soloist to Napoleon.

Beethoven wrote his last violin sonata (op. 96) for him. Rode was a composer as well and his 24 Caprices are well-known to violinists. Rode studied with Giovanni Battista Viotti, the Italian violin virtuoso who personally knew Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Like Carl Flesch and Pierre Rode before him, Viotti’s compositions are part of every violinist’s study. Viotti was a pupil of Gaetano Pugnani, the eighteenth-century Italian violinist and friend of Mozart. Pugnani studied with Arcangelo Corelli, the Italian Baroque violinist and composer. Corelli is credited with developing the ‘sonata’ and ‘concerto’ genres, which, in turn, influenced the evolution of the traditional orchestra. What an astounding genealogy!

How can one fail to be impressed by the enormous body of knowledge that has been transmitted over the years to our orchestra musicians? Every artist in the Winnipeg Symphony carries the musical DNA of their mentors. When your children and grandchildren take music lessons with WSO musicians and other teachers in our community, they are being granted at least a passing, if not direct, link to the very composers they are learning.

When you, our audiences, attend a symphony concert, contemplate the centuries of musical knowledge embedded in each musician on stage.

The Winnipeg Symphony is wealthier for the knowledge and wisdom of the musicians within it and Winnipeg is wealthier for the dedication and professionalism every musician brings to the musical life of our city. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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Centenarians I have known: Sam Baker and Sophie Shinewald

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he first two were an Icelandic couple who were Sophie Shinewald both 100 years old, living in Winnipeg, and who It was also through the Gwen Secter Center and my had just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversa- mother that I got to know Sophie Shinewald. Sophie was ry. This was something like 40 years ago. a bit of a late bloomer in that it was only While I no longer remember their after her husband, Hy, died in 1984 that names, what stands out for me regarding she became active at the Gwen Secter – this story is that – after it was published in and, boy, did she ever. the Free Press – I sold the story idea to the Sophie had lived a quiet life up to that National Enquirer. It was the only story I point. She had lived most of her life in ever sold to the leading tabloid newsparoughly the same north Winnipeg neighper of its day. I was paid $300 U.S. just bourhood. She was a graduate teacher for the idea. who worked in her early years in the fur (After reading the story in the Enquirbusiness. After marriage, when her two er, I was amazed at how fluent in English children started school, she began a 16this couple seemed to be – because, when year career as a substitute teacher in north I interviewed them, their grasp of English Winnipeg. She also served as a member of was quite limited.) the school board at Luxton School while Sam Baker her children were attending school there.

Myron Love Over the years, I have written numerSoon after she began volunteering at ous stories profiling individuals celebratthe Gwen Secter Center, she became viring their 100th birthdays. Most passed tually indispensable. She was one of the away within a few months after their birthdays. There are volunteers manning the front desk. For many years, she two individuals, however, who were exceptional. Both used to go in early on Tuesdays and put up the tables for Sophie Shinewald and Sam Baker lived for several years bridge. Whatever she could do at the Centre, she did. longer and continued to flourish almost right to the end.

“I have really enjoyed all the people I have gotten to At the time of Sam Baker’s passing, at the age of 109, know at the Gwen Secter Center,” she told me at an earin December 2013, he was the oldest man in Manitoba. lier interview in 2013 to mark her 100th birthday.

A retired businessman, Sam had operated clothing For her special birthday, about 120 members of her exstores in Yorkton and Brandon. I first met him about tended family came to Winnipeg from across Canada and 10 years earlier through his participation in seniors pro- from Los Angeles to celebrate. gramming at the Gwen Secter Creative Retirement CenA few months earlier, she had become the oldest retre on north Main Street. My mother was also a regular cipient in Canada to be recognized with the Queen’s Diaattendee there. I recall when I interviewed Sam for the mond Jubilee Medal for volunteerism.

Jewish Post and News to celebrate his 100th birthday, he In addition to her volunteer efforts at the Gwen Secter attributed his longevity to the many times that he had to Center, Sophie, for years had taken it upon herself to orgo up and down stairs at his stores over the years. ganize movie nights Saturday evenings at the Rosh Pina I ran into him at one point – when he was maybe 105 Co-op, for the residents of the block where she was living, – at the Asper Jewish Community Campus and stopped and some outside visitors. Every week, she would take the to chat. He was walking with a cane and noted that his bus to the local West Kildonan Library and select a DVD knees were bothering him. He was also a little hard of to show, she says. hearing. I remember thinking that that was not so bad “A lot of people over the years enjoyed the evening,” for someone of that age. she noted at that earlier interview.

Sam seemed to have stayed in relatively good condiThe movie nights came to an end in 2011 when the tion until about 108. I think that the last time I saw him block’s caretaker suddenly died. By that time, she recalled, was sometime in 2013 – perhaps in the summer – where the number of people attending the evenings had dwinhe was being honoured by the Gwen Secter Center. By dled to very few and she decided – at the age of 98 to that time, he looked frail and was having some difficulty “retire” from the project. speaking.

Sophie passed away just four years ago at the age of

Sam Baker.

Sophie Shinewald.

106. It was only when her eyesight began to fail that she seemed to have lost the will to keep going. Sophie attributed her good health and energy to good genes. I would add that a large element of luck is involved. And, I believe that it is equally important to remain socially active and connected as long as you can as both Sophie and Sam were.

For myself, I hope that I can live maybe not quite as long as my mother – who was almost 97 when she died – but close to that. Thus far, at 74, I have been fortunate not to have had any health issues other than the aches of aging.

In the end, the best one can hope for is to live to old age in relatively good health and move on to the next world quickly and painlessly when the time comes.

The Odd Fellows fraternal order has been in Winnipeg since 1873

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y in-laws 75th anniversary was last month. My wife and I joined them for dinner one evening to celebrate the milestone with them. I asked what they remembered of their wedding day. “Not much” was their response. They were both too excited and after all, it was 75 years ago. About all they recalled was the church and the reception afterward. No dinner, just coffee, tea and sandwiches.

It was held at the Odd Fellows Temple on Kennedy.

The last time I remember anything about Odd Fellows was listening to the radio on CJOB every Sunday morning. This is back when the television stations didn’t come on until noon, so we listened Jim Ingebrigtsen to the radio most of the time. This is back in the early 60s. Do you remember the Shut-ins program?

It was the mellow voice of host George McCloy. He would introduce a song that had been dedicated to a friend or family member in a hospital or an “old folks’ home” or a facility such as the Odd Fellows Home on Roblin Boulevard. After introducing the tune, he would say, “…Music, just for you.”

I’ve come across a lot of odd people in my life, both men and women. But, I have not knowingly known an Odd Fellow. Time to tell their story.

The first documentation of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) was in England in 1730. It arrived in North America in early 1800s with the first Odd Fellow lodge in Canada instituted in Montreal on August 10, 1843.

The first IOOF lodge in Winnipeg was founded in 12

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The exact date of the first founding of Odd Fellowship is lost in the fogs of antiquity. Some historians trace its roots back to the Medieval Trade Guilds of the 12th and 13th Centuries. Others estimated that it existed before 1650. What is clear is that there were a number of Odd Fellow groups in England in the 1700.

The Lodges were originally formed by workingmen for social purposes, and for giving the brethren aid and assisting them to obtain employment when out of work. When a brother could not obtain work, he was given a Card and funds enough to carry him to the next Lodge, and if unsuccessful there, that Lodge facilitated his farther progress in the same way. Where he found employment, there he deposited his Card. https://odd-fellows.org/history/ 1873, and alongside their female counterparts, the Daughters of Rebekah or, more commonly, Rebekahs.

The IOOF became the first national fraternity to accept both men and women. As well, both can belong to both organizations. At one time the Odd Fellows lodges outnumbered all fraternal organizations including the Masonic lodges.

Their symbol is three chain links, often with the letters F, L and T which stands for their motto “Friendship, Love and Truth”. Their main objectives are to improve

and elevate the character of mankind, to help make the world a better place to live by organizing charitable projects which benefit the youth, the elderly, and less fortunate.

As stated on their website, “We endeavor to bridge the gap of differences and serve as venue where acquaintances and even enemies can become true friends using the purest and practical form of fraternity. We are simply about promoting the culture of caring and sharing, of not leaving each other behind, of thinking beyond self, and of helping others in need. The command of IOOF is to “visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.”

There are numerous notable members of the IOOF including Charles Lindbergh, Red Skelton, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Sir Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Sir John A. MacDonald.

The Odd Fellows Home opened in 1923 and became a municipally designated heritage site in January 2023. It was the second such home in Canada second only to that in Toronto. There are still several active lodges in Winnipeg and Manitoba. There are currently around 12,000 lodges and 600,000 members in 30 countries worldwide.

All that remains of the Odd Fellows Temple on Kennedy where my in-laws had their wedding reception is the façade of the original two-story building built in 1910.

It was saved from demolition and is incorporated in the north face of Portage Place, a mixed-use shopping centre in downtown Winnipeg.

So, to all the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, past and present, who’ve volunteered their time and energy to an outstanding organization and to my in-laws who had that connection 75 years ago, this simple story has been “… just for you”.

Jim was a writer-broadcaster and producer on television and radio for 40 years. He is also a podcast host on Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio. Find Radio Redux, Mid-Century Memories and many others at www.whatsupwinnipeg.ca November 2023

Peter Bastians

Family businessman and community leader Senaka Samarasinghe

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eter Bastians inaugurated his fifth restaurant, Taste of Sri Lanka, at the Outlet Collection Mall during the end of September 2023.

Peter, a student from Carey College in Colombo, started his business career in Saudi Arabia in the field of Food and Beverage. Subsequently, he migrated to Canada and established a Sri Lankan food restaurant named as Taste of Sri Lanka in the early 1990s at The Forks in Winnipeg. Peter opened a second family-owned restaurant with his loving wife Shrima and three children James, Dilshan and Melani in Winnipeg Square.

Sometime back, Melani started The Green Eatery organic, gluten-free vegan restaurant. Further, she incorporated another restaurant to serve healthy Caribbean cuisine. Recently, Melani moved from Milton, Ontario to Winnipeg. She shifted these two business ventures

also to Winnipeg Square as the third family unit in Winnipeg Square and their fourth business undertaking in Winnipeg.

Bastians’ family business expansion process extended in mid-September 2023 with the launch of fifth unit at the Outlet Mall under the name of Taste of Sri Lanka.

Now Peter is the owner, president and CEO of these five business entities.

During my tenure as President, Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba (2015/2016), Peter took a leading role to create Sri Lankan Business Council in Manitoba.

In 2017, the first meeting of Sri Lankan Seniors was conducted at the Auditorium of the Pembina Trails Library. At this meeting Peter was unanimously elected as the first President, Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba.

During mid-2020s, South Pointe Commercial Area preliminary activities started such as underground pipe laying. As South Pointe neighbourhood committee and Janice Lukes, City Councillor, Waverley West took an

From right to left: Peter, Peter's wife Shrima, Peter's daughter Melani and James (younger son, second from left). initiative for consultative meetings with the builder Ladco Co. Ltd. As a Sri Lankan businessman, I invited Peter to these meetings. During dialogue sittings, Peter shared his F & B industry sector experiences to be implemented in this new settlement area.

According to my knowledge among Sri Lankan community Peter is only active politician (mainly provincial) for the last few decades in the Province of Manitoba.

Our Democracy

The following story is part a new feature, the serialization of our columnist Wayne Weedon’s fictional work, Our Democracy. 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 2: Conflict and compromise 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”. Chapter 1 of this story was in the October 2023 issue of Lifestyles 55+ magazine.

A

fter my chat with Pops, I couldn’t sleep. Lying in bed, I kept going over our conversation. I couldn’t help but wonder how a simple thing like wearing my baseball cap in class could turn into such a complicated conversation on religion. It’s funny, I always assumed Pops and my mom were religious. After all, we did celebrate Christmas and Easter. Pops had an answer for that too. He told me that these holidays were originally Pagan holidays and Pagans never believed in God, Heaven nor Hell. Pops stated that he liked buying gifts and having parties and these holidays gave him an opportunity to participate in what he liked. My whole world seemed to be falling apart. I didn’t even know what I believed in anymore. Did I ever believe in anything?

The next day at breakfast, I asked Pops about laziness, “You said yesterday, that one reason people believed in God was because they were lazy. What did you mean?”

“It takes work and effort to go through life trying to do your best; trying to set your plans and goals and figuring out what you want to achieve in life. Religious people, for the most part, go to their religion to tell them what to do. Part of the reason is they are too lazy to become fully informed, but another reason is, they are afraid they might be making a mistake if they decide things for themselves. They use religion as their scapegoat.”

Now I was really puzzled. Didn’t religion just tell you what was right and wrong; what was a sin and what wasn’t? I posed this question to Pops, “Well, how would you know what’s right and wrong if you never had religion?”

Pops didn’t even hesitate before answering, “That’s an easy one. It’s called evolution. Part of evolution is trial and error, action, and reaction. We do things and watch the results of our actions. If our actions are beneficial, we repeat them, and if they do harm, we do something else the next time. It’s as simple as that.”

“Aren’t there any rules?”

“Yes, there are rules. These are Laws of Nature, just like the law of gravity.”

“Is that all there is?”

“Certainly.”

“Other than gravity, can you give me an example of one of these Laws of Nature?”

“What one sows, one reaps. One becomes what one thinks about. All things are created in one’s mind before they are created in real life. These are all natural laws that we learn. If we teach these laws to our children, they will have a head start in life and probably do better than us.

That’s evolution.”

“But religion teaches all that!”

November 2023

“Not necessarily, but religion does teach people not to think, but to follow dictates from someone who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago, and, in many cases, these lawgivers never lived at all, they were just made up. If people do not think, they will never improve.

They will not evolve, and evolution will cease. Don’t do something just because a prophet, a god, or some kind of spiritual advisor tells you to. Think for yourself. You will make some mistakes; but that is the only way you will learn.”

I found this all very scary, just thinking about the monumental decisions that I must make in life. What if I make mistakes that I’m sorry for? I voiced my concerns to Pops, “What if I make some serious mistakes?”

“That is why you prepare yourself. Before making any decision, people must learn as much about the subject as they possibly can. Take marriage for example. Most people think very little about what kind of person they wish to marry. They go by physical attraction and often they make a mistake.”

“That’s what I mean. Some people have arranged marriages. Wouldn’t it be better if some wiser person, you for example, would pick out my wife?”

“Of course not. You would learn nothing. You should decide what to do and then live with it. That is what satisfaction in life is all about. When you learn from your mistakes and your decisions become easier for you, and you make more and more wise choices, you will find such satisfaction that you will not find any other way.

Making choices and finding happiness and contentment from your choices; that is heaven on earth. There is no greater contentment and feeling of joy.”

“It’s still very scary.”

“I’m not saying that you should not seek advice in making choices. I encourage you to go to wise people, discuss things with them, let them help and guide you.

But I warn you, the final decision must be yours. Don’t look for a scapegoat to blame poor choices on.”

As he promised, Pops took me to the next meeting of the school board. We sat through a lot of boring talk before, finally, Pops was allowed to make his presentation.

He rose from his chair and he stood straight and tall while surveying everyone in the room before he began his presentation.

“Mr. Chairman, board members, and fellow citizens. I come to speak on a matter that some of you might find frivolous. I assure you; this matter is not frivolous; for it is about our basic rights and freedoms, about equality for all, and our individual rights of choice.”

Pops paused and scanned the room before getting to the point, “Miss Styles has made a rule in her class. That rule is, no boy shall cover his head while in her classroom. That is all very well and proper. However, she has made an exception to this rule, and I suggest that any law that has one exception, becomes null and void. We live in a society that professes that we are all equal, and we must all follow laws equally with nobody getting preferential treatment.”

Again, Pops paused, allowing everyone to digest what he said before continuing, “Miss Styles made this exception because of religious beliefs. This, in my opinion, is not valid. I suggest that the person in question does not have a religion. He has not reached the age of majority, and, under law, he is not old enough and experienced enough to make such a choice.”

At this point a member of the audience jumped up and tried to intervene, shouting, “That’s ridiculous, stupid, and blasphemous.”

Pops was nonplussed. He looked the chairman straight in the eye and calmly stated, “That person is out of order.

I am standing. I have the floor, and I have the right to speak uninterrupted. If that person wishes to contradict me, he must wait his turn.”

The chairman struck his gavel loudly, “Mr. Ducharme was placed on the agenda, and he is correct; while he stands, he has the right to speak freely, and the audience must listen quietly.”

The person in question sat down and Pops continued, “I have made a study of the alleged religious ritual of covering one’s head and I found the following: A past guru, apparently stated, one’s hair should not be cut.

However, covering the head is optional for both males and females. Covering one’s head is not a religious practice but a personal choice.”

Another man jumped up and tried to intervene, shouting an obscenity at Pops. The chairman ordered that person out of the room. A few other people jumped to their feet and started shouting. Pops just silently stood, waiting for things to subside. Eventually, with much pounding of the gavel, people quietened down, and the chairman asked Pops to resume.

“Courts have ruled, laws of the land take precedence over religion. For example, I quote from The Holy Bible, ‘For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death:’ That quote is from Leviticus, Chapter 20, Verse 9. God has ordered that people who curse their parents shall be executed. However, Canadian law overules this. This is just one example of dozens, that I am able to quote where Canadian law takes precedence over religious law. Another example, adulteress women are no longer stoned to death; at least not in Canada. In the case being discussed this evening, Miss Styles made a rule. I suggest that, according to past practice, her rule should take precedence over any rule based on religion.”

At this point Pops sat down, and, as he did, many hands shot up as people demanded to be heard. However, they were not allowed to speak. The chairman stated that the meeting was in overtime, and he asked for a motion to adjourn. He stated, any rebuttal would be attended to at the next scheduled meeting. If anyone wishes to speak, they must ask, ahead of the meeting, to be placed on the agenda. The crowd was in an uproar.

Pops suggested that we wait for things to calm down before we left. When we did leave, people were waiting at the door. Some of them made threats to Pops who just peacefully moved through them.

When we arrived home, Pops and I discussed the meeting. He described how, “We walked calmly away, just like Ghandi. The only way to handle violence is with calm composure.”

The following week, Miss Styles announced to the class that the rule about wearing hats was now rescinded.

We could do what we wish. When I told this to Pops, he asked me if I was continuing to wear my baseball cap in class. I told him that I wasn’t. I admitted to him, I no longer felt comfortable sitting indoors with a hat on.

The End Next Month: A new story, Schizophrenia whatsupwinnipeg.ca

13

Saving Ricky

You help #GiveBetterFutures for kids like Ricky

A

s we all start to think about Winkler, Manitoba and have three getting ready for kids: Ricky, Rihanna and the holidays, my Tony. In December of thoughts are with the fam2022, the whole family ilies who will be spending started to get sick with the most special time of the flu, but for Ricky the the year in hospital. Kids illness got much worse. like Ricky, who suddenly One morning, he startgot sick just before Christed feeling weak and by mas last year. the evening his skin had Ricky’s mom, Susana, turned blue. says she would have tradSusana rushed Ricky ed places with her son in to emergency care in a heartbeat. He needed Winkler, where doctors Stefano Grande surgery to survive, and the said he was extremely Healthy procedure changed his life. sick and needed care at Ricky’s parents, Susana HSC Children’s HospiLiving and John are originally tal. One ambulance ride from Mexico but now they live near and 24 hours later he had a diagnosis

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– meningococcal septicemia, meaning that bacteria had entered his bloodstream and multiplied, damaging his blood vessels.

Ricky’s 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. Ricky woke up not knowing what had happened.

Ricky spent more than five months in hospital and had almost a dozen surgeries to clean his wounds and graft skin onto the damaged areas. Ricky’s stay was incredibly difficult for him and his entire family, but Susana says the staff at HSC Children’s took wonderful care of them.

While in hospital Ricky enjoyed watching Children’s Hospital Television (CHTV), the closed-circuit station at HSC Children’s with programming just for kids. He even appeared on The Good Day Show, the daily live show hosted by, Noname, the sock puppet.

Susana says it’s very important to her that donors give to help kids like Ricky.

Now Ricky is home with his family, but he will continue to need support from HSC Children’s Hospital.

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.

Right now, the surgical teams at Children’s need critical equipment to look after kids like Ricky, and the de-

Ricky. partment requires a complete redesign to support the number of children who need surgery. This redesign is part of the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s better Futures campaign, and there’s only 10% left to meeting our goal thanks to generous supporters like you.

On Tuesday, November 28 your donation will go even further to #GiveBetterFutures. Thanks to Qualico and an anonymous matching donor your gift will have TRIPLE the impact. So $10 becomes $30, $20 become $60, and so on.

With your help kids like Ricky will get the best care possible.

Donate on Tuesday, November 28 at goodbear.ca.

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

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November 2023

u

What makes a garden great?

Continued from page 1

sweeter this year when some of us took in the Leaf It will be another great opportunity to continue pofor the first time. In October, a couple of co-workers sitioning Manitoba and North Dakota as top mustjoined me on a tour through Minnesota, which in- see provinces and states for garden enthusiasts. It’s cluded stops at St. John’s University’s obvious to those of us who visit places Abbey Arboretum, the University of like IPG and Assiniboine Park regularly.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, But we are a little further from populaComo Park Zoo and Conservatory, and tion bases compared to more coastal and Munsinger and Clemens Gardens.

Great Lakes metros.

Each location had something differAnd part of what makes gardens like ent to offer, but all could consider themthese great is embracing the remoteness selves peace gardens in their own right. and unique intersection of nature and We were awed by the serenity these horticulture in the prairies. spaces offer even if some are in major As a reader of Lifestyles 55, you are metro areas. The Japanese Garden in likely aware of how important gardens Minneapolis-St. Paul quickly takes the are to our publisher and contributors. mind and all senses to a calming place You don’t have to be a writer and you that drowns out the commotion. don’t have to have a history of working At times it was necessary to remind at big gardens. Your wisdom and appreTim Chapman myself to enjoy the sights as the gardenciation of residential and public gardens nerd mentality kicks in and ideas are can also help our Manitoba gardens conconstantly being scribbled. We picked up every bro- tinue to thrive. chure and all educational material we could find.

Consider reaching out to the International Peace At each stop we also took time to visit with key Garden to share your thoughts on what makes a great staff and share our own stories and how much we Garden in the prairie region. I truly believe gardens value our Manitoba and North Dakota visitors and can be a reflection of the visitors who value them partners. Many of the people we meet have heard most. In our case, we are proud to be located not only of the International Peace Garden but haven’t had a in two countries, but in Manitoba where people are chance to visit. We encourage them to make a road thoughtful, pragmatic and eager to see plants. trip and include Winnipeg – even in winter thanks to Have an idea? Shoot me an email at tim@peacegarthe new Conservatory at The Leaf. den.com. Sleepy winter may be upon us, but it is the At the start of November, a couple of staff will be best time to plan and dream. in Victoria at the International Garden Tourism ConTim Chapman is the CEO at the International Peace ference. Rumor has it the International Peace Garden Garden on the border of Manitoba and North Dakota. will be recognized as one of Canada’s best. We don’t The Garden is open year-round and grooming ski trails take that lightly, especially when gathering with pro- for the first time this winter. Rent one of our cabins and fessionals from across North America at the home of enjoy a winter weekend that only the forest of the Turtle the stunning Buchart Gardens.

Mountains can provide.

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What is a TOTT? And all those other acronyms

W

hen my wife and I first started geocaching we level and fastened so that you actually need to climb up to were puzzled by the letters that were used by it to log it.

The first entry on most logs will have the letters FTF. various geocachers when they logged a find.

There were also acronyms used in the descriptions which This stands for first to find. Occasionally STF is used for second to find. If you see a DNF on the we had to learn so that we could solve a web page for the cache it stands for did not few of the mystery caches. Imagine lookfind. ing back on the logs for a clue to solve the The CO is the cache owner who would one you are working on and coming across place the cache at GZ or ground zero using “YAPIDKA, SOOP, CO should check, easy a cell phone or GPS receiver (also GPSr) P&G, TNLNSL, TFTC”. No, the aliens are or a Global Positioning System receiver. not searching for geocaches. That stands for Hopefully this would be a location without “yet another park I did not know about, PI, poison ivy. something out of place, cache owner should If the cache is large enough it may concheck, easy park and grab, took nothing left tain TBs, travel bugs or SWAG, stuff we all nothing signed log, thanks for the cache”. get. Please don’t confuse the two. SWAG is Allacronyms.com lists 176 of these shortsomething that you can trade for an item ened words in their geocaching abbreviain the cache that you will leave in place of, tions list. Fortunately only a few are comGary Brown in the cache. It should be of equal value or monly used by most cachers.

Geocaching better and is something that you can keep.

So, what is a TOTT? The acronym stands Do not leave anything edible as that can atfor tool(s) of the trade. Basically, any tool tract anything from wasps to coyotes. A TB used in the progress of acquiring a cache. is something that you can trade, or just pick up to move What tools (TOTTs) should you carry with you?

The most important one is a pen or pencil. I prefer a pen along to another cache that will hold it. TBs are meant to that will write upside down and on wet paper. A pencil be moving around and are not to be kept unless the TB will do that also but requires a slight bit more pressure and owner has made it collectable. A TB will have a unique may tear wet paper easier. A pair of tweezers can come in code on it to allow the owner to track it.

An acronym that you may notice a fair bit is P&G, park real handy for certain types of caches, for retrieving the and grab. It is usually used for an easy to find cache with caches or for removing the log sheet.

Another TOTT that is useful for higher caches is a col- good parking. If you find it difficult to find you can check lapsible magnetic pickup tool. This increases your reach on the location with a PAF, phone a friend.

TFTC, thank you for the cache is also used with the last by about three feet and helps you lift out the cache from certain hosts that are abundant in Manitoba. I also have a letter exchanged for an E, event or an H, hide. There is an walking stick with a small peg at the top for this purpose. ongoing discussion regarding the use of this one worldSome cachers have other collapsible tools such as a golf wide as some feel that the thank you should be spelled out ball retriever modified for this. At times there may be a and not abbreviated. That discussion will continue as will branch or similar item near the high cache to retrieve it the use of the acronym.

If you have any acronyms that you would like clarified with.

We carry a small extendable mirror with an LED light. come out to an event, especially a CITO, cache in trash out This has come in handy many times and kept us from hav- where Geocachers show up at an area, clean up the trash ing to get on our hands and knees. A pair of gloves is and finish up discussing anything that comes to mind, handy for searching pine trees which have sharp needles usually geocaching related.

HTSYOTT, hope to see you on the trail (I just made or pine sap that may be close to the hide.

These are the basic tools that are easy to carry while out that one up).

Gary Brown is the President of the Manitoba Geocaching for a walk. There are numerous ones that are needed on rarer occasions and range from a small screwdriver to a Association (MBGA) and can be reached at MBGAexec@ ladder. One cache in mind is about 14 feet above ground outlook.com.

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