Lifestyles 55 2024 02 February

February 2024

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204-947-1807 The debate continues on urban bike lanes

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Winnipeg 150: City of Song We have something to sing about – let your voices ring out!

Trudy Schroeder

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his year, the City of Winnipeg is celebrating its 150th year of existence as a municipality. Groups of people lived and traveled through the area for many years before its official incorporation as a city with a population of 1,869 people. Although the actual incorporation took place late in 1873, the city’s 100th anniversary was celebrated in 1974, and its 150th anniversary will be celebrated in 2024.

Winnipeg has a population that has long been noted for the quality and quantity of singers and singing groups produced in the city. From the chants and songs of the Indigenous peoples to the incredible mix of genres and styles of music produced in Winnipeg today, we are people who tell our stories in song.

In recognition of this singing history, there will be a special emphasis on singing and songs of Winnipeg in the coming year. You will hear

Lifestyles 55 Radio is on the air

Remembering Susan Thompson

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Logan Avenue was known as Snus Boulevard

Trudy Schroeder singing a duet with Donna Kilmoska. more about the celebration as the year progresses, but I can give you a few ideas of the kinds of things you can look forward to experiencing in the coming months.

The celebration of Winnipeg as a City of Song will include a number

of elements that one would expect in this city of choirs, folk singers, country bands, hip hop, rock, opera singers, and jazz ensembles of every type. There will be concerts with the special designation of the u 5 ‘Winnipeg 150’

Looming tax deadlines

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he time has come to start thinking about income taxes. In just a few weeks, Canadians will start to see key moments popping up related to filing taxes, and I wanted to share the list with you. I’d be happy to connect you with an who can elaborate on these dates, as well as provide tax tips, new tax updates and anything else you might want to know!

• Monday, February 19: The Canada Revenue Agency’s NETFILE service will open, meaning Canadians will be able to file online.

• Thursday, February 29: This is the last day for employers and the CRA to issue T4s, T4 As and T5s to Canadians. Meaning, if you don’t already have these forms, you’ll have them in the next few days.

• Thursday, February 29: The deadline to contribute to an RRSP for the 2023 tax year.

• Tuesday, April 30: This is the tax filing dead-

A Snus box.

Snus (rhymes with loose) is a moist, smokeless tobacco product originating from Sweden in the early 1700s. It is placed between the lip and the gums and doesn’t usually require one to spit.

Today snus is banned in every E.U. country except Sweden.

Jim Ingebrigtsen

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line. You must have your taxes filed by this date, or start incurring penalties if you owe.

• Monday, June 17: This is the date for the selfemployed to file their tax returns. However, any balance owing is due on April 30th, so those who owe taxes should be aware of their required payments well before the self-employed tax due date.

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round 1860, and for a number of decades after that, life was not great for many Swedes back in the “Old Country”. Due to the lack of available land and a number of consecutive crop failures, the poverty rate grew and tough times were upon much of the population.

As a result, from 1868 to 1914, more than a million Swedes packed up their meagre belongings and made the move to a land they hoped would offer them a better life: United States and Canada. The Canadian government was actively recruiting in Sweden for immiu 6 ‘Snus Boulevard’

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Stuffed Tomatoes, page 104

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Beef Stew, page 186

Chocolate Lava Cake, page 158

February 2024

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Follow us online at: lifestyles55.net Facebook: Lifestyles55 PUBLISHER Pegasus Publications Inc. EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net ART DIRECTOR Karl Thomsen karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Shauna Dobbie shauna@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Gary Brown, Tim Chapman, Dorothy Dobbie, Shauna Dobbie, Rick Duerksen, Cat Gauthier, Stefano Grande, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Myron Love, Jo Magnifico, Mark Moote, Marty Morantz, Fred Morris, Alex Regiec, Senaka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Wayne Weedon, Robert Wrigley.

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Federal Follies and how it is time for Justin Trudeau to take a walk in the snow

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he writing is on the wall . . .on the news, on the found that, in 2019, 36.4 percent of parents with children Internet, on the street corner: there is an attempt in childcare reported difficulty finding spaces for their chilthrough every outlet the government can utilize to dren. By 2023 this was up to 46.4 percent. When the plan paint Federal Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre as some was announced, $30 billion over five years was set aside kind of far-right monster who would destroy the country. by the feds feeding a $9 billion a year budget (presumably, The truth is that the destruction of the the provincial share makes up the difference). country is already well underway, and the auBut it appears that amount falls short by $4 thors are you-know-who – the Prime Minisbillion a year which will have to be made ter and his right-hand enabler, the leader of good by the provinces if the plan is going the NDP, Jagmeet Singh. to survive. (So far, Manitoba is in the black, The only defence Mr. Trudeau has to counbut stay tuned.) The saddest part is that very ter his destructive policies is his attempt to few of those who have accessed support have manufacture a persona for the Leader of the been mothers in need.

Official Opposition that is false and vilifying, The fiscal mess is one thing – housing trying to tie him to Donald Trump, to right shortages, over-acceptance of immigrants, wing extremism, and so on. The attempts lack of oversight of student visas, silly things are almost laughable. I just watched a video such as the end of free plastic grocery bags to from an Internet rag call The Breach, started be replaced with 45 cent plastic grocery bags, in 2021 by a group of ultra left activists. They taxes such as the carbon tax (being rebranded are trying to make it look as though Pierre is as some kind of “incentive”, focusing on the tied to huge corporate entities – so silly. The rebates – hilarious but true), horrible things Dorothy Dobbie corporate influences are all wearing red right such as pushing for MAID to end the lives now. The Trudeauites talk a good line about of the mentally ill (surely a type of eugenics taking a hard line with companies such as corporate grocers at work here) and on and on. But there are many other over high prices, but they accomplish absolutely nothing. sneakier policies that have changed the moral quality of CaGrocery prices continue to escalate. nadian life.

Still, all the Liberal MPs are primed with Tory-negatives We no longer see each other as individuals, but rather phrases and characterizations that come dribbling out of as wearing labels of black, white, Indigenous, FolklioJewtheir mouths as soon as they open them to speak. But . . . ish, Palestinian, settler, colonist, Catholic, gender identithis time, it is not taking hold the way it has with previous fied, and so on. This divisive policy, encouraged by Justin leaders. Why? Because the public has finally had enough Trudeau, has been promulgated in schools, in the news, of Mr. Sunny Ways and the polls are predicting a devastat- by governments, by agencies and even by companies just ing loss for the Liberals whenever Trudeau gets around to trying to avoid offending anyone. Trudeau said Canadian going to the polls. As on January 30, 2023, Tories had don’t have an identity and if this keeps up, we won’t. a 15-point lead over the liberals. Pollsters feel that this is There is not room to go through all the deficiencies unlikely insurmountable, but I suspect Trudeau believes he der this man’s leadership, but I now come to the one thing can absorb that with the support of the NDP despite, once that is haunting me, his immoral, amoral and corrupt peragain, the popular vote going blue. Watch for Trudeau to sonal lifestyles which is being revealed a bit at a time by try to drag out his mandate to the possible five-year limit those who witnessed things, became sickened and removed in the hope that people will forget their current disillusion- themselves from his presence. I know the mainstream mement. dia is aware of some of these things, but they cover them up I hope he sees the writing on the wall before that. I to their everlasting shame. I certainly understand why Sodo not want the Liberal Party to be destroyed. We need phie removed herself as well. How can one who has so little a strong Liberal Party to serve as an alternative when the regard for other human beings, especially women, govern Tories wear out, as all governments eventually do. We do our country?

NOT need the only alternative to be the NDP which is no Whether details will emerge while he is in office, or even longer the party of laborites and farmers as it once was. later, is a moot question. History tells us that this is unlikely What is it now? Hard to be accurate but it seems to be a when news outlets refuse to participate. For my part, I have rag tag bundle of extreme left activists bent on protesting had it. every decent impulse Canadians have. The endless spouting Currently, 67% of Canadians believe that Trudeau should about health care and dental care and day care is a depen- step down – and that has to include a lot of Liberals. I dency trap of which thinking Canadians should by now be respect many of the members of Parliament who serve in wary. First, because these universal programs end up in the office with this man. I count some of them as friends. I sussame mess as the health care system, and second, because pect that many of them agree with 67%. But I understand they discourage enterprise, inflate the price of the service why they are reluctant to move against their “leader” – they over time and just don’t work. all witnessed what happened to Jody Wilson-Raybold and An example in point is the recently much touted $10 that is a powerful deterrent to stepping out of line. Still, I a day Daycare. Guess what? Licensed day cares are clos- hope that their good judgment and absolute commitment ing shop because of the way the deal is structured. They to the future of Canada will overcome this reluctance and just can’t make ends meet. Instead of solving the daycare that some of them will take action to replace him. problem, the program has exacerbated it. A recent study This cannot come soon enough.

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February 2024

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Debate Urban bike lanes Are they worth it?

Bike lanes: Are they Cycling in Winnipeg worth the expense in I Winnipeg?

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few years ago, on a visit to my that earned me death threats prompted daughter’s then home off To- the WFP editor to caution me not to ronto’s Danforth, I witnessed express such controversial the value of bike lanes. At rush hour, views. I stopped the op ed the reserved lane was teeming with bike submissions as a result. traffic, keeping sidewalk pedestrians, But back to the main cyclists and vehicular traffic safe from point; there are options collision. The lane made a lot of sense besides costly and hard to although there were still challenges hav- maintain dedicated bike ing to do with parking, crossroads, and lanes that should also be the narrowing of the busy thoroughfare. considered when it comes Here in Winnipeg, especially in to accommodating bicycle winter, however, things are different. traffic.

Firstly, there is very little sidewalk trafIn suburban areas, sidefic because, except for downtown, most walk traffic is very sparse. people drive, they don’t walk. The city The alternate sidewalks has been designed with streetside malls option could be explored. that offer out-front parkDowntown, bike lanes ing lots in the semi-cencould be installed where tral city and further into it makes sense, not the suburbs, where most where they squeeze trafcity residents live. In City fic into one lane. DownCentral, the relocation town, especially in the of retail to the outskirts Exchange district, bike and to malls has further lane installations have degraded the use of sidegone a little crazy, even walks. though you don’t see Yet, here we are, much more cycle traffic squeezing already crowdthere than anywhere else ed streets into narrower in the city. lanes to satisfy a very Our bike lane system small number of bicycle seems inconsistent and commuters, especially ill thought out. If you Dorothy Dobbie when the thermometer are a bicycle enthusiast, drops below minus thirty. you cannot be too hapI spend a lot of time downtown, and I py about the patchwork quality of the have never yet seen bike lanes occupied lanes that end for no apparent reason. by more than one bike at a time and usu- Pembina Highway is a good example. ally, there is no traffic at all.

I don’t know how the planning was I am not against safety for cyclists. I done for these lanes. I cannot see that used to ride myself and ran into prob- it responded to any bike traffic studies lems riding on a busy street. It was on since traffic is sparse to non-existent. At Roblin Blvd, close to my home, early in the very least there should be a comprespring, and the gravel covered road had hensive plan that reduces the number of not yet been cleaned. Rounding a cor- lanes to central routes that correspond ner, my bike slipped on the gravel, and I to need. went sprawling with a car right behind As I said, I am not opposed to bike me. Nothing more than injured dignity lanes, per se. I am however concerned and a scraped knee resulted, but it got that priority is being given to a minorme thinking. At the time, I was writ- ity need when there are so many other ing op ed pieces for the Winnipeg Free pressing requirements. More urgently, Press so I used the forum to express the we need reforestation, street repair and opinion that we should follow an exam- more parkland. I would also rather see ple I had recently seen in Germany: let the bike lane construction and maintebicycles travel on a designated sidewalk nance money spent on a comprehensive – people on one side, biker’s on the oth- plan to end homelessness. But that’s aner. Well, I almost got lynched with the other topic. outrage expressed by the cyclers’ lobby.

And, by the way, will a few cyclists This piece and another on the efficacy save the planet? Not likely. But that’s anof a public private health care system other topic, too.

don’t cycle. I can cycle and I the city is alive and that you are part have a bike, but the poor thing of it. And you are getting in your doesn’t see the road very often. exercise as well.

And that’s because I’m terrified.

Some people like cycling so much But I have great respect for cy- (or rely on free transportation so clists, and respect is what they need much) that they’ll do it through more of, particularly in Winnipeg. the winter. It sounded crazy a few I know that many of you read- years ago, but more people are doers are clenching your ing it. You can get winter tires and fists right now, ready winter brake pads for your bike to to talk about how slow make the ride smoother. You need your commute is even to learn to ride a bike on snowy without bikes and now streets just like you need to learn to they want to take up a drive a car. lane of traffic. Or about This is where the respect I menhow you used to park tioned comes in. right in front of your People have the right to ride their favourite shop and now bikes in winter. It doesn’t matter if the street parking there you think they are nuts, you need to has been turned into respect that right. Watch for them. a bike lane. Or about And for the City of Winnipeg, clear how a cyclist was talk- the damn cycling paths! They are ing on their cell phone not where you put the snowbanks and swerved out into from ploughing. traffic. We’ll get to You are responsithat. ble when driving for First, let’s talk about shoulder-checking bewhy anyone would fore you turn right, want to ride a bike. winter, spring, sumIf you only rode as a mer and fall. Don’t kid, think back to that race to make a right time. Can you rememturn before a bike can ber the sense of emcatch up to you and powerment and freepass you on the right. dom you had on your Don’t splash through bike? You couldn’t huge puddles with drive a car, but once abandon, not caryou became proficient ing who might get on two wheels, nodrenched. Don’t open Shauna Dobbie body was going to tell your car door without you where you could looking behind you. go or when to be back, except may- Think of cyclists as other drivers on be the streetlights coming on. The the road who deserve your care and world was your oyster! At least be- attention. tween April and October.

Okay, now for the fist-clenchers.

Riding as an adult can still come Cities grow and change. Somewith that sense of empowerment. times it takes a little longer to drive It’s not just about being able to ex- down a street than it used to. This plore new places but about getting could be because new housing has anywhere under your own steam. It been added along the way, making doesn’t matter if you have gas mon- more traffic, or it could be because ey or if the bus breaks down or if bike lanes have been added. It’s the your buddy wants to swing by your same with street parking. You used place to pick you up, if you have a to be able to park in an area and bike and an able body, you can go now you can’t? Find a new spot to places. park in. Maybe you’ll have to walk Cycling connects you to your half a block. There are worse things. physical surroundings too. There’s And finally, for the countless a difference between pumping your people who write to the Free Press way down the street with your heart about cyclists on cell phones… rate up and shivering in your car maybe you’ve seen such a thing. I while waiting for the heat to kick haven’t, but if I did, I wouldn’t be in or being stuck through two or any more surprised than I am when three lights at an intersection. You I see someone driving while on can hear the traffic, you can see the their phone. And I see that regucracks in the road, you know that larly.

Dobbie vs Dobbie

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February 2024

Winnipeg 150: City of Song

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Continued from page 1

Trudy Schroeder

Random Notes

City of Song sprinkled throughout the year, with a large number of the events taking place in the fall of 2024. You will have the opportunity to hear choirs from many cultural backgrounds and styles, from classical to contemporary and pop music. You will see operas and hear serious recitals and musicals of every type, from MTC’s opening musical featuring the music of Carole King to Rainbow Stage’s summer offerings.

There will also be musical interventions that all Winnipeggers will be able to join. A plan

is afoot to host a series of pub singing events in pubs and coffee shops around the city throughout the year. You can join up for an evening and learn a few songs, drink a beer or two, and make a few new friends along the way. There will be opportunities to learn Canadian classics, folk songs, opera choruses, madrigals, motets, rounds, great pop tunes, and Christmas Carols. All of these will be open to singers of every level of experience.

There will also be an element of surprise in some of the singing events, which will be called

“Random Acts of Singing”. On these occasions, people who are gathered for another type of event will find themselves engaged in learning and singing a tune as a random act of celebration of our great city.

We look forward to letting people know about the program for the year and the plans for your involvement. From children to old folks, let your song ring out in 2024. We all need to sing, and this is the year to prove to yourself that you can be part of the celebrations. Activities will be coordinated by the Win-

To find out more visit cityofsong.ca nipeg Arts Council, so if you want more information, that is the place to call for details.

Enjoy this year of singing and celebration.

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

Whytewold Road – the street defined by a terrible explosion To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. James (starting just west of St. James Street to Sturgeon Road) breaking away from Assiniboia to form their own municipality, I am doing street profiles. This column features Whytewold Road.

stetricians, were original residents of the Sandra Block (source 1956 Winnipeg Henderson Directory). The Guests practiced medicine in St. James for three decades. Another original resident, Ruby Hymers, became the long-time caretaker of the Sandra Block.

Many businesses were located at the hytewold residents are first northwest corner of Portage listed in the and Whytewold. They in1911 Hendercluded Whytewold Drugs, son Directory. They were Whytewold Department Edwin Coombe a carpenStore, Blossom Florists, ter; William Hadath, a CN Lawrence Heppenstall Law boilermaker; and Claude Office, Metro Drugs with a Anderson a chief inspector post office, St. James IGA, for Manitoba Telephones. and the Bank of Montreal.

The east-west cross streets On Friday December 4, heading north from Por1992, a late morning gas tage were Williamette smell led to the evacua(now Lodge), Louise (now tion of 183 homes, several Bruce), Ness, Silver, Barry, Fred Morris apartment blocks, and the Peter, Clair, and Murray.

From the desk neighbourhood businesses.

Obviously, pre-airport days. of a gadfly Around noon, an explosion The Corner of Portage leveled the northwest corand Whytewold ner of Whytewold and PorIn the middle 1950s the Vernon, the Rae, the Whytewold and the tage. The explosion happened two days Sandra Blocks were constructed near the before the 75th Anniversary of the deadly corner of Whytewold and Portage. Don Halifax explosion. Dan Lett’s Winnipeg Johns was a resident of the Rae. Johns, a Free Press front page report December 5, stay-at-home hockey defenseman, played 1992, stated that “It was miracle that no137 regular season and playoff games for body was killed.”

Orest Hairstyling (Orest Shydlowsky) the Winnipeg Warriors of the Western League. Don would go on to play 153 and Cleopatra’s House of Beauty (owner NHL games. One of these games was the Jana Wenzel) were able to relocate. Howfirst regular season game for the Minne- ever, Granny’s Kitchen, an iconic bakery, sota North Stars. In that game, Bill Mas- which was first listed in the 1958 Henderteron scored the first regular season goal son Directory, was destroyed, and never returned. John Heinrich’s bakery was a for the Minnesota North Stars.

Alex and Lenora Dobbie lived in the community meeting place. Many different Whytewold Apartments. Alex was a mas- products – cinnamon buns, soup, gingerbread cookies, sugar donuts – are fondly sage therapist.

The Sandra Apartments faced Whyte- remembered Between Portage and Ness wold Road with an angled park in front.

In 1959, a new City of St. James FireDoctors Howard and Sheena Guest, ob-

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hall opened at 320 Whytewold Road.

Clarence Keith (1881 to 1964) was a County Court Judge. Harold Minaker established Rusti Krete of Canada, a brick manufacturing company. Bert Stapleton operated an excavating business. In several elections, Bronwen Yewdell served as an Elections Manitoba District Returning Officer for various St. James constituencies.

Irene Peggie was the first female Human Resources manager for Powell Equipment. Freeman Skaptason was the president of the Betelstadur Housing Cooperative when Betelstadur at 1061 Sargent Avenue was built in 1987. A picture and plaque hang on the wall in the lobby of Betelstadur remembering Freeman’s work. (1) Eric and Olga Shea were married for 66 years. Sharon, Sandra, and Susan, the newly born triplets of Jack and Irene Peggie, are pictured on Page 3 of the June 14, 1963, Winnipeg Free Press. In 1966 their mother Irene was a founder and president of a Manitoba Club for the parents of twins and triplets. Jack and Irene were married for 60 years.

Ness to Silver Diane Beresford, an English Teacher tirelessly fought for improvements in our education system. Diane held executive positions with the Manitoba Teachers Society. Diane was the president in 1997/1998.

Craig Johnson worked at the Career Development Institute for 25 years. Craig is currently the career service manager.

Between 2010 and 2022, Craig served as a St. James Assiniboia School Trustee.

The CFB Winnipeg Curling Club was located on Whytewold Road. In 1985, the Club was badly damaged by fire. It was home to two provincial championship teams. The 1980 Manitoba Men’s

Championship team of Earle Morris Clare DeBlonde, Gary Deblonde and Winston Warren won. In 1982 Mary Ling, Marg Hamilton, Gert Gray, and Irene Feasey won the Manitoba Senior Women Championship.

In 2005, the northern end of Whytewold off Saskatchewan was renamed Wihuri after Antti Wihuri the Finnish businessman who owns Winpak. I will include more about Wihuri Road and 17 Wing in another story in the next couple of months Update on the Arlington Street Bridge Days of No Decision: 57 Days as of January 18 The Arlington Street Bridge was discussed at the January 9, 2024, meeting of the Public Works Committee. The Committee proposed a 60-day layover to wait for a report on extending the life of the bridge. On January 16, 2024, EPC agreed to the 60-day extension. REALLY! On June 20, 2019, City Council approved a report that clearly stated that the bridge was near the end of its life span and major repairs were no longer possible. I quote from the 2019 report: “However, when maintenance is no longer viable the bridge will be permanently closed.”

The only choices that remain are a brand new bridge on the same site (my preference), rail yard relocation, or telling the North End that nothing will be done.

The time has come to approach all 16 members of the Current City Council to find out what they think about this citywide issue. I will dedicate my next column to their responses and non-responses Notes: 1. Ruby and I live at Betelstadur.

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

The Trudeau government must take responsibility for the high cost of living

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s I return to Parliament this usage across Canada has exploded. week, know that The Liberals and their I will be fighting NDP costly coalition for all Winnipeggers: Repartners have continuminding the Prime Minously blocked Conserister of the cost-of-living vative efforts to axe crisis that is raging across Trudeau’s carbon tax to the country. That life is bring down the price of harder than ever for Cagas, groceries, and home nadian families while for heating. him and Liberal insiders, The carbon tax was a life has never been better. failed experiment. The Justin Trudeau’s inLiberals promised that flationary tax and spend the carbon tax would M.P. Marty Morantz protect the environment agenda has made this past year one of misery for and not cost Canadians many Canadians. Rents anything because they are rising faster than wages for the would get back more in rebates than first time in 60 years and food bank they paid into the tax.

February 2024

Not only have the Liberals failed to meet every single one of their environmental targets, but the independent Parliamentary Budget Officer has also confirmed that Canadians pay more into the carbon tax than they get back in rebates.

The Liberals don’t have an environmental plan – they have a tax plan.

The Liberals will claim that the carbon tax doesn’t raise the cost of food, but when the government taxes the person who grows the food and the trucker who ships the food, it increases the cost to Canadians who buy the food.

While Trudeau plays political games with the carbon tax by giving carveouts to some Canadians and not to

others, Conservatives are focused on axing the tax on all, for good. Our plan is simple. No pauses. No gimmicks. No special deals based on politics.

Conservatives have a common-sense plan. We have a plan to cap spending and cut waste to bring down inflation and interest rates. We will eliminate taxes to reduce the cost of living for every Canadian. We will cut taxes to make work pay once again.

We will make sure Canada is a place where work enables people everywhere around our country, to have a good life, to own a home and to live a peaceful life in their community.

Marty Morantz is MP for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley. lifestyles55.net

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The Children’s Hospital

Donors like Barb and Gerry Price pour their hearts into helping kids

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Our community has a lot of heart, anitoba is known for having a lot of heart when it comes to and local champions like Barb and Gerry charitable giving, and I have Price – the leaders of this incredible iniseen firsthand the impact our commu- tiative to #GiveBetterFutures for kids nity can make. Over the last three years who need the Children’s Heart Centre – make a world of difference donors have completely for children, like Emberly. transformed kids’ cardiac At less than a day old, care.

Emberly was diagnosed February is #Heartwith a heart condition and Month, and we at the will rely on the Travis Price Children’s Hospital FounChildren’s Heart Centre dation are so deeply grateuntil she’s an adult. Deful for the supporters who spite her health challenges, follow their hearts to help Emberly is now a thriving, kids. happy baby, laughing with The Travis Price Chilher family, and making dren’s Heart Centre offifriends wherever she goes. cially opened for patients Stefano Grande “Emberly has proven in March 2021, thanks to that no matter what obdonors’ generosity. As the Healthy stacles come her way, she entire world was facing the Living has a fight in her and a fire COVID-19 pandemic, the that undoubtedly cannot dedicated cardiac team at HSC Children’s Hospital moved into be extinguished,” her mom, Haley, tells the new space to continue providing the us. best care possible for kids and families.

Haley credits the health care staff at Dr. Reeni Soni, Medical Director of HSC Children’s Hospital, Travis Price Pediatric Cardiology at HSC Children’s, Children’s Heart Centre, and Child Life says the journey has been transforma- specialists for helping Emberly regain tional. her health.

“We can get patients in and out more “I quickly realized that Dr. Soni along smoothly or quickly,” says Dr. Soni. “We with the rest of the team are much more can provide care in a more nurturing, than just medical professionals looking confidential environment. Because chil- after our daughter’s heart,” says Haley. dren are at ease, we don’t have to give “The health care staff are a support systhem medication to put them to sleep tem and second family that genuinely to do testing, which is always safer for care, which is evident in every visit to the the child.”

Travis Price Children’s Heart Centre.”

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Dr. Soni says she and her team are deeply thankful to donors.

“For how quickly the donor community came together to make this happen, we say a huge thank you to every donor that was part of this becoming a reality, says Dr. Soni. “It’s also tangible proof of what donor dollars can do and what an impact they can make.”

The Children’s Heart Centre is just one of many ways donors are transforming HSC Children’s Hospital through the Better Futures campaign,

with a goal of $75 million. And I am thrilled to share that, thanks to donors’ generosity, Better Futures is more than 90% complete.

You can help with the final 10% – every dollar makes a difference – by donating today at goodbear.ca.

From the bottom of all our hearts, thank you for helping kids who need our children’s hospital.

Your present is changing their future.

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

Logan Avenue was known as Snus Boulevard Continued from page 1

grants by offering inexpensive prairie farmland in would put all the incoming mail from Sweden on a the new world, the geography of which was not too table at the back of the café. That’s where the men, dissimilar to their homeland. Opportunity beck- returning from “out west” or “in the bush” would hopefully find news from home. oned.

Other businesses thriving in Little Sweden were Although three Swedish names are documented a couple of barber shops, a Scandiamong Lord Selkirk’s group of settlers navian book store, a Danish bakery in 1812, the first rural Swedish coloand a pool hall. “Snus” Gustafson’s ny, called Scandinavia, was established hardware store was where Swede saws in 1886 near the town of Erickson were in big demand. Dahl Printers, lowhich was originally called Avesta, a cated at Stanley and Logan, published town in south-central Sweden. For two weekly papers, one in Norwegian approximately 50 years ship-loads and one in Swedish. Hagberg Fuel of Swedes came to this country and also operated on Logan Avenue for many brought with them some snus. many years. These were the days when Snus, as described briefly above, Winnipeg was the Swedish Capital of was, and still is, considered by many a Canada and the third largest city in staple on any shopping list in Sweden. the nation.

So, it should come as no surprise that In later years, a gentleman known the area on Logan Avenue from Main Jim Ingebrigtsen only as Westberg owned and operatStreet to Salter Street – where the maed Westberg Swedish Imports on the jority of these new immigrants settled north side of Logan a few blocks west – would become known to them as Snus Boulevard. Those who found the name some- of Main Street. It was a small, simple store with bare what derogatory chose instead to refer to the neigh- wooden floors and rarely much in the way of stock. bourhood as Swede Town or Little Sweden. In the One lonely light bulb fought to brighten the drab décor. The month of December was the busiest of end, Snus was the most popular.

Most of the newcomers who made this part of the year with locals coming in for the traditional town their home were from other Scandinavian fare of the festive season. He offered Danish Blue countries as well. It was common to hear Norwe- cheese, herring, sardines and Sprats from the North gian or Danish spoken as you walked down any Sea. Lutefisk (dried fish) curing in an old wash tub of the adjoining streets. Business in Winnipeg was filled with a mixture of water and lye was kept in booming and many took the opportunity to start the dark back room. Two Norwegian favourites one. Rooming houses were the accommodation of were Gjetost (rich goat cheese) and Gamlatost, the choice. They were affordable, a place to stay while smell of which could clear an auditorium of people looking for work and quite likely the chance to meet in minutes. Westberg always served his customers new friends from the old world. During the day, with a smile even though it revealed only two teeth, men would wander the streets gathering whenever one on top, the other on the bottom.

Another enterprising character and Swede was the opportunity arose to meet up with others to hear of any prospects for work. Some found work Jon Neilsen. He built and owned a few houses on on farms in Manitoba or Saskatchewan. Others, Logan just west of Keewatin. He was a carpenter mainly carpenters, found work on a construction and a stonemason. Some of his work is still standing crew building grain elevators or building houses and rock-solid in the form of a few of the old classic cottages at West Hawk Lake. More notably, he was the apartment blocks in the city.

For those who found work elsewhere, scores of man who built the Witch’s Hut at Kildonan Park.

The first Scandinavian Mission Church was built them used the Sverige Café as their mailing address.

The small café on Logan was run by Anna Walberg in 1897 and still stands today on the corner of Ellen who arrived in Winnipeg in 1912. She was a widow and Logan although no longer serving as a church. with five small children. This was not only a spot Like other ethnic places of worship being built in for a light lunch and a good cup of coffee, Walberg our city, it was both the cultural and spiritual cen6

lifestyles55.net

A Snus box. tre for the Swedish Lutheran community. It was a haven for those all alone or for wives and mothers to meet on common ground as so many of the men were often far away wherever the work would take them. They went regularly to connect with people who spoke the same language and share their personal stories. As so many arrived with next to nothing, for many, it was first and foremost a place to pray for better times. It was designated a heritage building in 1993.

For more than forty years Snus Boulevard was home to most of the early Scandinavians who made Winnipeg their new home and their new way life.

They were quick to learn the language and they assimilated quickly. Eventually, as families became more established, they moved to other parts of the city. Elmwood, the West End and River Heights were the main destination points for most.

Jim Ingebrigtsen’s grandmother was Anna Walberg, owner of the Swedish Café (originally named Sverige Café).

February 2024

The inexplicable attachment to slavery

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housands of published articles, pamphlets, and books are giving us sufficient evidence to prove Jesus is a fictional character. In his book, Caesar’s Messiah, Joseph Atwill describes how and why Titus Flavius, a Roman Emperor, commissioned men to fabricate fairy tales about a man who never had a name, only a title, which translated into English means Saviour Messiah.

Richard Dawkins, in his book, The God Delusion, describes the evolution of superstitions and religions.

Wayne Weedon Despite this evidence, bilFood for lions of people continue Thought worshipping Jesus as a god. It’s surprising the number of people who believe fictional characters, including Superman and Harry Potter, are living people with supernatural powers.

Robert G. Ingersoll advised, a declaration of emancipation can physically free the slaves, but the belief that they are inferior to others persists, not only in their minds, but also in the minds of their masters. Unless freed mentally, former slaves will continue to seek a master, whether that master is a physical person, a living or dead hero, an icon, or a supernatural, invisible, and imaginary being. Ingersoll explained, nobody but the freed slaves themselves can throw off their mental chains. The only thing others can do to help former slaves become truly free is through education so they can develop the ability to think. A person who thinks is free. Anyone who follows without thinking is a slave.

Robert Ingersoll, Walt Whitman, Samuel Clemens, Oliver Wendall Holmes, Frederick Douglass, Andrew Carnegie, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and several others, discussed plans with Abraham Lincoln about the necessity of educating slaves once they are freed. These plans died after President Lincoln was assassinated.

Four conspirators in the assassination of Lincoln were executed by hanging, one of whom was a woman, Mary Surratt. Some other conspirators were imprisoned. John Surratt, Mary Surratt’s son, through help from Catholic clergy, fled into Canada, then to Rome, where he found sanctuary. The conspirators failed in their plans to also kill Secretary of State, William Seward, Vice-President, Andrew Johnson, and Ulysses S. Grant.

Charles Chiniquy believed one of the reasons for Lincoln’s assassination was to block the education of not only Southern slaves, but also the education of the general population, the majority of whom are slaves to

Left: Poster for the reward for Lincoln Conspirators; right: Execution of the Lincoln conspirators. Photos courtesy of US Library of Congress. their entrenched fears and beliefs. Today, children are being taught, John Wilkes Booth acted alone in killing Lincoln.

Romans, when they ruled the world, were strongly possessed of the spirit of liberty, but not the principles.

They were determined, they would not be slaves to anyone, however, they employed their power to enslave the rest of mankind. This tradition is apparent in several religious books, including The Bible, which states, God’s people must defend themselves against slavery, but they must enslave their wives and children whom God decrees are men’s chattels. God also commands his people to, without mercy, slaughter or enslave foreigners.

It was quite plain to Lincoln and his confederates, liberty and religion are not compatible; we can have one or the other, but we cannot have both at the same time. Lincoln believed, to have liberty and equality of all people regardless of colour, age, gender, or creed, Church and State must be separated. Charles Chiniquy and Robert Ingersoll believed Lincoln’s declaration that the slaves’ lack of education is the only thing that makes them inferior, sealed the president’s fate.

For over thirty years, Northup Frye taught his students at the University of Toronto that The Bible, both the Old and the New Testaments, are works of fiction and not true historical stories. At the time, Canada still had archaic laws which were remnants from the Dark Ages, and Frye, for questioning the veracity of The Bible, risked being imprisoned on charges of blasphemy.

Even though Charles Darwin chose his words carefully, many citizens demanded charges of blasphemy should be brought against him when he published his book, On the Origin of Species. To the enlightened, charging Darwin with blasphemy would be an indication that England was moving back into the Dark Ages when over one-hundred-million people were tortured and executed through the Inquisition. Darwin was not publishing anything new. In fact, he was following a family tradition; both his father and grandfather had published similar works which described how species have evolved over time. However, Darwin’s father and grandfather had published their works during the Age of Enlightenment when Voltaire’s followers witnessed the banishment of the Church from France, when Thomas Paine published The Age of Reason, and the founders of the American Republic declared, God and State must be separate because the basis of all laws should be by rational thought using common sense, and not by divine decree.

People who do not take charge of their own lives and plan their own futures have a Master/Slave mentality.

They will never be free until they begin to think for themselves and quit living their lives through thoughtless and blind faith.

Next Month, Slavery Continued: It’s Not Unusual Wayne Douglas Weedon is a Manitoba author who writes a combination of fictional and factual stories, essays, and novels.

Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba

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beth Brown. There was a concert by the hristmas get together Our Christmas gathering was Sunday School students’ choir and six held on Jan. 12, 2024, from individuals conducted speeches admiring the minister’s 14 years 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at of service. Elizabeth exWhyte Ridge Community pressed her gratitude for Centre. The event plantheir presentations. ning committee schedWhen my granddaughuled several proceedings ter was attending Monallowing all attendees to tessori School of Trinity participate.

United Church in 2012, Lileena Mendis inauI got to know Minister gurated the session by Milly Malavsky. She inconveying Christmas and troduced me to Minister New Year blessings to all.

Elizabeth Brown. I atSinging two Christmas tended a variety of events carols in English and Sinin Trinity United Church hala was the first event. A Senaka Samarasinghe including Bible studies, few games were lined up Seniors’ Group and other for participants to enjoy.

Hama Perera volunteered to recite some voluntary events. Still, I am the Secretary Sinhala poems to bless all seniors. A of the Trinity United Church Seniors Christmas gift bag was presented to each Group.

Involvement in the Trinity United person as a souvenir. Indra Ariyaratne President, SLSM gave the vote of thanks. Church helped me establish Sri Lankan As a special treat, appetizers, main Seniors Manitoba in June of 2017 durmeal, and desserts were home-made. Ev- ing my tenure as the President of the Sri eryone posed for a group photo at the Lankan Association Manitoba.

To Manitoba Seniors: end and the dance floor was opened for A bit about Sri Lanka dancing fans.

Pembina Active Living is one of the Trinity United Church: retirement well regarded and active Seniors’ orgacelebration farewell for minister nizations in the Province of Manitoba.

Elizabeth Brown Chandani and I attended the lunch and Board Member of Sri Lankan Seniors invited Fermin Mendis to join us to cel- Manitoba and Vice President of Pembina ebrate the retirement of Minister Eliza- Active Living Mohamed Ismath invited February 2024

Christmas goodies.

Pembina Active Living (PAL).

me to conduct a presentation about Sri Lanka for the benefit of members.

Ismath also invited my wife Chandani to participate. We were delighted to comply and gave the presentation to the Whyte Ridge Community Centre on Jan. 22, 2024, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. I have been presenting talks such as this within the City of Winnipeg free-of-charge for more than a decade. Former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Canada Mr. Ahamed A. Jaward sent a commendation to me on this endeavour.

During the presentation interesting discussions were raised such as a comparison of the size of Sri Lanka and Canada as well as free education. Canada is the second largest country of the world with 9.9 million sq. km whereas Sri Lanka is

only 65,610 sq. km When I stated that Sri Lanka introduced free education policy in 1945 most of the participants asked number of questions. As Chandani was a retired-school teacher in the state sector she explained other facilities contributed by the Government such as free school uniforms and free textbooks for all students in Government schools.

As a practice I shared a copy of my presentation with the invitee. Similarly, I sent a copy to Renee Vincent, Program Coordinator, Pembina Active Living to share with needy members. She sent me a letter of thanks and Susan Fletcher, Executive Director, Pembina Active Living sent me the feedback from the participants about their extended knowledge on Sri Lanka. lifestyles55.net

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Manitoba Association of Senior Communities Creative Retirement Manitoba Inc. 204-481-5030, hello@crcentre.ca www.crcentre.ca

WINNIPEG

20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200-20 Fort Street / FortStSeniors@Shaw.ca A&O Support Services for Older Adults Inc. 200 -207 Donald Street 204-956-6440 / Toll Free: 1-888-333-3121 info@aosupportservices.ca www.aosupportservices.ca Archwood 55 Plus 565 Guilbault Avenue / 204-416-1067 archwood55@shaw.ca https://archwood55plus.wildapricot.org/ Bleak House Centre 1637 Main Street / 204-338-4723 bleakhousecentre@gmail.com www.bleakhousecentre.com Broadway Seniors Resource Council 204-772-3533 broadwayseniors@gmail.com / www.bsrc.ca

North Point Douglas Seniors Association 49 Euclid Ave. / 204-880-1655 Pembina Active Living (55+) 170 Fleetwood Rd. / 204-946-0839 office@pal55plus.ca / www.pal55plus.ca Rady Jewish Community Centre 123 Doncaster Street / 204-477-7539 lmarjovsky@radyjcc.com / www.radyjcc.com Rainbow Resource Centre 545 Broadway / 204-474-0212 ext 255 OTR@rainbowresourcecentre.org www.rainbowresourcecentre.org The Salvation Army Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre 51 Morrow Avenue 204-946-9153 sheila.keys@salvationarmy.ca South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 117-1 Morley Ave / 204-478-6169 resources@swsrc.ca / www.swsrc.ca Southdale Seniors 254 Lakewood Boulevard / 204-257-6171 gm@southdale.ca / www.southdale.ca

Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Avenue W 204-632-8367 / bpscc@mymts.net

Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba 113 Stan Bailie Drive 204-261-9647 / www.srilankanseniorsmb.ca

Centro Caboto Centre 1055 Wilkes Avenue / 204-487-4597 ext. 1 executivedirector@cabotocentre.com www.cabotocentre.com

St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre 3-203 Duffield Street 204-987-8850 / info@stjamescentre.com www.stjamescentre.com

Charleswood Active Living Centre 5006 Roblin Blvd / 204-897-5263 info@charleswoodseniorcentre.org www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org

St. Mary’s Rd. Seniors 613 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg 204-257-0678 / www.stmarysroad.ca

Crescent Fort Rouge 55 Plus 525 Wardlaw Ave. / 204-299-9919 cfruc55Plus@gmail.com www.crescentfortrouge.ca Dakota Community Centre 1188 Dakota Street / 204-254-1010 ext. 217 melissal@dakotacc.com www.dakotacc.com Dufferin Senior Citizens Inc. 377 Dufferin Avenue / 204-986-2608 Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre 180 Poplar Avenue / 204-669-0750 healthrelations@chalmersrenewal.org https://chalmersrenewal.org/ Fort Garry Seniors Resource Council 200 - 270 Donald Street / 204-792-1913 fortgarry@aosupportservices.ca www.aosupportservices.ca/resources/seniorsresource-finders Golden Rule Seniors Club 625 Osborne Street / 431-866-6776 goldenrule@swsrc.ca Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy / 204-669-1710 admin@gnalc.ca / www.gnalc.ca Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main Street / 204-339-1701 becky@gwensecter.com / www.gwensecter.com Headingley Seniors’ Services 5353 Portage Avenue / 204-889-3132 ext. 3 seniors@rmofheadingley.ca www.headingleyseniorsservices.ca Indigenous Senior Resource Centre Inc. A1- 100 Robinson Avenue / 204-586-4595 executivedirector@isrcwpg.ca www.asrcwpg.ca Manitoba Korean 55+ Centre 900-150 River Avenue 204-996-7003 / www.ksam.ca North Centennial Seniors Association of Winnipeg Inc. 86 Sinclair Street / 204-582-0066 ncsc@shaw.ca / www.ncseniors.ca

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Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave / 204-222-9879 tcs@mymts.net / www.transconaseniors.ca Transcona Retired Citizens Org. 328 Whittier Ave. West 204-222-8473 / trco328@shaw.ca Vital Seniors - 3 St Vital Road 204-253-0555 / stmary@mymts.net www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association 204-291-7798 / wcsa.wpg@hotmail.com www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca Winnipeg Condominium Corp #238 3281 Pembina Hwy / 204-269-6363

BEYOND WINNIPEG BEAUSEJOUR Beau-Head Senior Centre 645 Park Avenue 204-268-2444 / beauhead@mymts.net BRANDON Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. 311 Park Avenue E / 204-571-2050 reception@brandons4s.ca www.brandons4s.ca Health Checks - 204-728-1842 brandonmbhealthchecks.ca healthchecksbrandon@gmail.com CARMAN Carman Active Living Centre 47 Ed Belfour Drive / 204-745-2356 www.activelivingcentrecarman.ca CRANBERRY PORTAGE Jubilee Recreation of Cranberry Portage Legion Hall 217 2nd Ave. SE / 204-271-3081 CRYSTAL CITY Crystal City & District Friendship Club Inc. 117 Broadway St. / 431-867-0122 crystalcityfriendship@gmail.com DAUPHIN Dauphin Active Living Centre Inc. 55 1st Avenue SE 204-638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com

GET CONNECTED - JOIN A CENTRE! Stay Active - Stay Connected www.manitobaseniorcommunities.ca

DELORAINE Deloraine Community Club Inc. 111 South Railway Ave E 204-747-2846 Seniors’ Outreach Services of BrenWin Inc. 204-747-3283 sosbrenwin@gmail.com sosbrenwin.com ERICKSON Comfort Drop In Centre 31 Main Street 204-636-2047 / areas@mymts.net FLIN FLON Flin Flon Seniors 2 North Avenue / 204-687-7308 GILBERT PLAINS Gilbert Plains and District Community Resource Council Inc. 204-548 4131 gpdcrc@mymts.net www.gpdcrc-newhorizons.wix.com/gpdcrc Gilbert Plains Drop In Centre 22 Main Street North / 204-548-2210 GIMLI Gimli New Horizons 55+ Centre 17 North Colonization Road 204-642-7909 / gimli55@mts.net www.gimlinewhorizons.com GLADSTONE Gladstone Seniors Inc. 32 Morris Ave. North / 204-385-2205 GRAND MARAIS Grand Marais & District Seniors 36058 PTH 12 / gmdseniors@gmail.com www.gmdseniors.ca GRANDVIEW Grandview Seniors Drop In 432 Main Street / 204-546-2272 HAMIOTA Hamiota 55+ Centre & Restore Community Co-op Inc. 44 Maple Avenue / 204-764-2658 KILLARNEY Killarney New Horizons Centre 520 Mountain Avenue www.killarneymbseniors.ca Killarney Service for Seniors 203 South Railway / 204-523-7115 seniorservice@killarney.ca LA BROQUERIE and STE. ANNE Seine River Services for Seniors Inc./ Services Rivière Seine pour aînés Inc. 93 Principale Street 204-424-5285 / labseinerss@gmail.com seineriverservicesforseniors.ca LUNDAR Lundar Community Resources 35 Main Street / 204-762-5378 lcrc@mymts.net MANITOU Pembina Community Resource Council 315 Main Street 204-242-2241 / pembinacrc@gmail.com MINNEDOSA Minnedosa Senior Citizens Assoc.

31 Main Street S 204-867-1956 / mdsasca@gmail.com MORDEN Morden Activity Centre 306 N Railway Street 204-822-3555 mordenactivitycentre@gmail.com www.mordenseniors.ca NEEPAWA Neepawa Drop In Centre 310 Davidson Street / 204-476-5103 Neepawa-dropin@outlook.com www.neepawa.ca/district-drop-in-center

PILOT MOUND Pilot Mound Fellowship Centre 203 Broadway Avenue / 204-825-2873 PLUMAS Plumas Seniors Citizens Club Inc. 102 White Street / 204-386-2029 PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Road N. / 204-857-6951 hermanpriorcentre@gmail.com www.hermanprior.com Portage Service for Seniors 40A Royal Road N. / 204-239-6312 https://portageservicefors.wixsite.com/psfs RIVERTON Riverton Seniors Activity Centre 12 Main Street / 204-378-5155 rdfc@mymts.net / www.rivertonfc.com SANDY LAKE Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St. / 204-585-2411 Municipality of Harrison Park - Age Friendly Initiative Committee 204-585-5310 SELKIRK Gordon Howard Centre 384 Eveline Street / 204-785-2092 executivedirector@gordonhoward.ca www.gordonhoward.ca SNOW LAKE Snow Lake Senior Centre 71 Balsam Street 204-358-2151 / snowsrs@mymts.net STEINBACH Pat Porter Active Living Centre 10 Chrysler Gate 204-320-4600 / ed@patporteralc.com www.patporteralc.com STONEWALL South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st Street West - Oddfellows Hall 204-467-2582 / si55plus@mymts.net www.si55plus.org SWAN RIVER Swan River & District Community Resource Council 126 6th Ave N / 204-734-5707 resourcecouncil@srseniorservices.com Swan River Senior Citizens Centre 702 1st Street North / 204-734-2212 THE PAS The Pas Golden Agers 324 Ross Avenue / 204-623-3663 seniorsthepas@gmail.com THOMPSON Thompson Seniors Community Resource Council Inc. 4 Nelson Rd. / 204-677-0987 thompsonseniors55@gmail.com thompsonseniors.ca TREHERNE Treherne Friendship Centre 190 Broadway Street 204-723-2559 / jstate1066@gmail.com VICTORIA BEACH East Beaches Social Scene 3 Ateah Road / 204-756-6468 ebssinc1@gmail.com https://www.ebseniorscene.ca East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road / 204-756-6471 ebresourcec@gmail.com https://ebresourcec.weebly.com WINKLER Winkler & District MP Senior Centre 102-650 South Railway Avenue 204-325-8964 director@winklerseniorcentre.com www.winklerseniorcentre.com

February 2024

Pasta always makes it homey, a rich Chicken Piccata

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hicken piccata is a classic Italian dish. It is one of my favourites along with easy chicken parmigiana, creamy tortellini soup with sausage, and chicken fettuccine. Every dish has a memory attributed to it and every memory brings a warm smile.

When prepping this dish, the aroma will tantalize your taste buds and as you take the first mouthful you will wonder why you hadn’t had it sooner.

This quick and easy, creamy lemon chicken piccata is simple and delicious. Soft and tender chicken breast are seared, and tossed in a light and Ian Leatt creamy lemon sauce with Foodies capers and garlic to give it the best flavour. This family favourite is so easy to make in a single skillet and served over a bed of pasta.

A perfect weeknight dinner. Or make it a special night with friends.

Here’s what you will need: 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.

1 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Groundhog Day

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2 tablespoons butter 5 garlic cloves garlic 1 ½ cups chicken broth.

1 cup whipping cream.

1 jar capers 1 lemon freshly squeezed.

2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley.

1 lemon cut into wedges.

The all important how to: Slice each chicken breast carefully in half lengthwise then place one at a time, between two sheets of saran wrap. Carefully flatten the chicken breasts with a meat tenderiser until they are approximately ¼-inch thick.

Ideally, you want flattened chicken breasts with uniform thickness it helps with the cooking process.

Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then, dip the chicken in a shallow bowl of flour coat both sides evenly. Set aside on a plate.

Pour the oil in a large skillet and heat over medium high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked. Set the chicken aside to rest on a plate.

In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant and clear. Stir in the flour to make a roux then add the chicken broth, keep stirring well until the sauce is smooth. Add in whipping cream, capers, and lemon juice. Turn the heat down to medium low and bring the sauce to a simmer until you reach the desired consistency. Stir continuously to prevent the acid from the lemons curdling until smooth.

roundhog Day Syndrome is ance sheet, and after two-plus years, described as a situation where the bottom line in my ledger is quite every day feels the same as the healthy. day before, to the point It all started a little that it might be difficult more than two years to recognize if a new day ago, the morning when has even begun. It is the I woke up instead of just feeling of being stuck gaining some semblance in an everyday routine, of consciousness after anwhich makes it seem that other night of drinking. time and life are passing The previous evening, I you by. It can make you had fallen asleep, as opfeel that no matter what posed to just passing out. you do, the rewards or I decided that I rather enconsequences of those acjoyed those feelings, and tions do not follow you I was determined to expeto the next day. It is an rience them again – and Rick Duerksen unending cycle. Lather, again. Lather, rinse, reReach rinse, repeat. The probpeat. And it has been the lem with those simple same – old, same – new instructions on a bottle ever since. Every day is a of shampoo is that they don’t tell you repetition of the day before, and every when to stop. A person might find day is a new opportunity. I get up in themselves running out of hot water, the morning, determined, and I go to while simply following instructions, sleep at night, content. Lather, rinse, unsure of how or when to stop a seem- repeat. Groundhog Day Syndrome? ingly endless loop.

Perhaps, although for me it should be Doing something for the first time called Thanksgiving Day Syndrome. usually leaves a lasting impression, but I look, every day, for things to be if those events are repeated over and grateful for and I don’t have to look over again, they soon become routine too hard. I am surrounded by people, and leave no new memories. Time things, and experiences that are only seems to fly by, and life begins to be one of repetition and boredom – you get into a rut. It’s the law of diminishing returns. After a while, things that used to be an exciting challenge become a boring duty, things that used to provide satisfaction leave a person wanting more. Less bang for the same buck. A form of shrinkflation in a person’s life.

I have found myself living in my own Groundhog Day Syndrome for just over two years now. Every day seems the same. The day starts the same, the day passes the same, and the day ends the same. And I love it. As is typical of the Groundhog Day Syndrome scenario, the negative consequences of the previous day do not follow me the next day. Unlike a typical Groundhog Day, the benefits and rewards of the previous day do follow me. Everything positive is carried forward and placed into the asset column of my life’s balFebruary 2024

Return the chicken to the skillet and flip several times to coat the chicken. Let the chicken cook with the sauce for another couple of minutes before serving.

I like to serve on fettuccine. Its broad noodles help to absorb all the flavours of the sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley. Another adjunct to this dish is a fresh warm French baguette to help catch the last dredges of sauce. Make it even better, add garlic butter.

Ian Leatt is a trained chef from across the pond.

available to me because I gave up drinking. I don’t want this Groundhog Day Syndrome to end. I want to experience it again tomorrow. Choosing a life of not drinking has only added value to my life’s account. I have everything I need and even a few of the things I want. And it has cost me nothing except a resolve to continue.

The outcome of Groundhog Day is based on whether the groundhog sees his shadow. It suggests that if it is a sunny day on February 2nd, the result

will be another six weeks of winter. I think it implies that the groundhog is looking the wrong way. He is looking to the west, away from the rising sun.

He is looking behind him and seeing his shadow. I get up in the morning and look into the sun of the day. The new day is in front of me, my shadows are behind me, in the past. Another Groundhog Day is ahead of me, another day out of my burrow. Another gift. Lather, rinse, repeat. Lather, rinse, repeat…….

Helpful advice from your friends at

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9

Being Juliet February 15 to 18 A

retrospective conversation with Vanessa Léonard (née Lawson) from 2009. Vanessa is currently the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Director of the Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant Program.

At thirty years old, principal artist Vanessa Lawson had performed nearly every major role available to a ballerina, except for one. And of course, it’s the one she most wanted to dance. Juliet. The famous star-crossed girl who transforms from a gawky 14-year-old to a young woman in love, seemingly overnight. Here is the conversation with Lawson (15 years ago) when she discussed her debut in one of the most coveted female roles in ballet.

When did you first want to dance the role of Juliet?

I dreamt about performing the role the very first time I saw the ballet. It was after seeing (former RWB principal dancer) Laura Graham as Juliet in Edmonton. I loved it. I went home and I was dancing in front of the mirror for hours. My parents had to tell me to go to bed because I wouldn’t.

I loved everything about the music. It just captures so much emotion. It’s so romantic. Romeo & Juliet is the ultimate love story.

When doing a role like Juliet, what kind of research do you do?

I’ve been reading the play again.

I’ve been trying to relate to things and look at the phrases in Shakespeare’s text. I was first taught the ballet in May. There’s one phrase that happens in the balcony scene, where Romeo speaks about Juliet putting her hand on her cheek. He says he wants to be the glove on that hand. For this part I’m thinking about how I’m going to portray that moment on stage. One of the things I love about this role is that there’s room for personal interpreta-

Romeo & Juliet, Vanessa Lawson. Photo by Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press, 2009. tion.

So, there’s room within the choreography for you to put your own stamp?

There are certain ideas that the choreographer Rudi van Dantzig wants you to be able to communicate to the audience to make the story work and the character develop. But at certain points, you can add your own nuances. When you perform a ballet such as The Sleeping Beauty, it’s so choreographically pure. You have the steps, and you do them. But with Juliet, you’re a real person. A real human being. My frustration might be different from everybody else’s. If I copied exactly what another Juliet did, then it wouldn’t look natural, and I wouldn’t be a believable character. I’ve watched different versions and I’ll take things from everyone. Then I have to create

my own character. It has to be natural. It’s sometimes nice if something a little different happens, because then you can react to it very naturally as opposed to it being very choreographed.

From your research, are you also thinking back to your first love?

Yeah, I’m remembering the first time I had a crush. I was 13 when I had my first boyfriend. We were so shy. Anytime I saw him I’d be scared to talk.

I felt fluttery all over. When he called me, I didn’t know what to say. There was a lot of silence. The first time he held my hand it was magical.

You’ve been in this ballet before, but never as Juliet. Is there any one specific moment you’re most excited to perform?

At the end, when she sees that Romeo is dead. I’ve always felt like I’m a voyeur watching that part. It’s almost

too intimate to watch. Every time we see it, we’re completely quiet backstage. To be the person onstage creating the moment will be quite amazing.

What’s the scariest part about being Juliet?

Having to be so emotionally vulnerable and having 2,000 people watch you be this way. It’s going to be especially hard to do this in the studio.

To create those emotions with everybody staring at you, that’s going to be a difficult process. I’m going to have to be incredibly vulnerable. You can’t be self-conscious in any way when you do Juliet. Fortunately, when I’m onstage I can’t really see the audience so it will be easier to escape into the role.

Is it also daunting to play a 14-yearold?

It is daunting. Especially a 14-yearold who goes through such major changes in a short time. At first, she giggles when she sees the servants flirting and kissing. And by the end, she’s basically a woman.

When you did the photo shoot for this ballet last spring, you got pretty emotional when you first put on Juliet’s dress. Did you expect that?

No. It surprised me. It’s a photo shoot. I spent a couple of days looking at how Juliet did her hair. I put on the dress, and it totally surprised me, and I got a tear in my eye. It was the excitement of doing the part. Until then I didn’t realize how much I wanted to do it. The reality of it really hit me.

••• Come and see who plays Juliet, as well as the entire cast, as Romeo & Juliet takes centre stage from February 15-18, 2024 at the Centennial Concert Hall. It is also a great Valentine’s Day weekend gift idea. Get your preferred seats online now at rwb.org or call 204.956.2792 to buy tickets.

Why would administrations want to remove well-meaning volunteer support?

Dorothy Dobbie

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have spent many years volunteering for one organization or another and dealing, as president, with a variety of executive directors. Some are better than others.

Of the not so wonderful ones, are those who see volunteer support committees as competition to the paid support instead of welcoming them with open arms and being grateful for their efforts. As counter intuitive as this may seem and regardless of the kind of financial and friend raising support they provide, these executive directors will go to extreme measures to get rid of the “rival”.

One such successful effort happened with the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. The offending administrator is no longer with the Park and the volunteer component has been revived, but when this individual took over, the first thing she did was disband the Friends of Assiniboine Park and even stripped their name away from them.

Their wonderful gift shop was closed.

They ended up calling themselves The Friends of Manitoba Gardens. Still, they missed the sense of purpose they had when they used to gather in March 10

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at the greenhouses and help with the planting and pruning and transplanting or whatever was needed.

The same thing was attempted when I became the president of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The then executive director made a determined effort to banish the Women’s Committee. First, he moved them from their central location in the lobby to a secondary spot on the side lines. Then he tried to get rid of them all together. I stopped it and restored their key lobby location, much to the delight of patrons who enjoy shopping and looking at the music related items for sale there.

Now, I understand that once again there is an attempt to remove the Women’s committee, relocating their Music Stand to the sidelines as a first step. There seems to be no appreciation for the $45,000 they raise each year as if this was a mere trifle. It is not like they don’t need the money. I hear the orchestra has another large deficit to cover. How did that happen when they were so well-placed post COVID-19?

In fairness, I have not interviewed the administration so I cannot comment on the motive for this move, but I can comment on the experience of

Branded merchandise such at the fleece, purchased from the Women’s Committee Music Stand, is another way to spread awareness of the orchestra. the concert goer. Coming to the Hall a little early to get a parking spot is important to older patrons. Having something to do while waiting for the concert to begin is part of the experience. This is where you will often run

into old friends. And you can purchase items that help to spread the word about the WSO. I bought a WSO monogrammed red fleece jacket years ago that was so admired by a teenage granddaughter that I had to purchase one for her. I often did some of my Christmas shopping here.

There seems to be a disconnect between the public and the administration of the orchestra these days. Winnipeg is a small market. We get more than our share of patrons for the arts from the population at large and they stick with us loyally all their lives, gradually introducing their children and grandchildren as the renewal generation. This is not an insignificant audience. People are living well into their 90s and beyond and they keep attending concerts until the very end.

Why would we wish to dismiss them as irrelevant?

But maybe their apparent removal is just simple optics. Maybe I am dead wrong, and the Women’s Committee of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra remains as relevant and valued as it should be.

I hope so. They make a wonderful contribution in so many ways.

Dorothy Dobbie is the former president of the WSO. February 2024

Susan Thompson: Role model for women in business and politics I

t was great reconnecting recently with Susan Thompson again after more than 25 years. I spent a very pleasant afternoon with our personable, warm, and welcoming former mayor reviewing her groundbreaking accomplishments as a businesswoman, politician, diplomat and fundraiser.

I first met Susan in the late 1980s when I was writing for a national footwear magazine (yes, there once was a magazine dedicated to the business of manufacturing and selling shoes and boots) and she was running Birt Saddlery, the long-time family business which was located downtown just a stone’s throw from City Hall.

Susan noted that Birt’s Saddlery (as it was originally known) was incorporated in 1899, by John Birt, a cousin of Myron Love her grandfather, William Joseph (Bill)Thompson.

Birt didn’t open the western wear and tack store until 1917 though. The original store was located at the corner of Market and Main Street where the Concert Hall now stands.

Thompson bought the business from his cousin in 1932 and was joined by his son – and Susan’s father – W. M. Thompson (who was called Maurice) in 1936. The store moved to its second location across the street to the corner of Main and Bannatyne in 1964 to make way for the Concert Hall.

Susan was born in 1947, the youngest by several years of four children. After graduating from the University of Winnipeg in 1971, and soon after, went to work for Eaton’s as a buyer. After some years with Eaton’s in Winnipeg. Soon after, she was transferred to Calgary.

I remember Susan telling me, at my first interview with her, that she was quickly made aware of the different attitude to marketing between Calgary and Winnipeg. “In Winnipeg, we would try for a 2% increase in budget year over year,” she recounted. “But Alberta was booming. Thirty percent increases over budget were achievable.”

She was later hired by the Bay’s National Buying Offices in Montreal. Based in Montreal, she became the principal buyer for jewelry for the Bay nationally.

It was in the fall of 1980 when her father came calling. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and wanted her to come home to look after the family business.

“We were doing business across western Canada and also had accounts in the U.S.” she recalls. “We carried western clothing, tack (saddles and the like) and luggage.”

The early 1980s was a tough time to be in retail, she recounts, with sky-high interest rates. “At that time, 50% of small businesses were failing,” she points out, “and I wasn’t sure we were going to make it either. I personally had a bank loan of several hundred thousand dollars.”

And then, a minor miracle. In March, 1981, Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta, came out and sparked a rage for western wear. “Our western boots and hats were flying out the door,” she recalls.

“Within two months, we took in enough money to pay all our bills.”

In 1982, while still dealing with her bank loan at 21% interest and a recession, Susan experienced what she refers to as a “calling” to become Mayor of Winnipeg. As Bill Norrie was a very popular incumbent however, she bided her time.

Finally, in 1992, when Norrie announced his retirement, Susan went all in. (Susan was forced, for financial reasons, to close Birt Saddlery in 1995.)

To say that Susan faced long odds in her run for mayor underestimates the challenge that she presented herself with. The political neophyte was facing off against several sitting city councillors – notably Greg Selinger (who went on to become premier of the province) and several of whom had already received endorsements from the local media. And she had virtually no name recognition.

Early on, she reached out to former Mayor Stephen Juba, a friend of her late father. After talking with him for four hours, he told her that a woman February 2024

Susan Thompson. couldn’t be elected mayor of Winnipeg and that she didn’t have a chance.

However she had one advantage over her opponents. Thanks to her business background, she knew how to market herself.

“I put as campaign team together,” she recalls.

“We advertised heavily on television and billboards.

My fundraising team raised $250,000. We also introduced a computerized system to keep track of polling and volunteers. By election day, I had 98% name recognition.”

Stephen Juba obviously saw which way the winds were blowing. A couple of weeks before the election, he called to say that he thought it was time for a woman mayor. “He wanted to be on the right side of history,” Susan observes.

Once elected though, Susan still had to deal with a hostile group of city councillors, a five-man Board of Commissioners who refused to co-operate with her, resistance from the bureaucracy and an unfriendly press.

Nonetheless, she persevered. She managed before the end of her second term to have the Board of Commissioners abolished and replaced with a “strong mayor” model (which Juba had recommended) with cabinet in the form of an executive policy committee made up of five councillors selected by the mayor from among elected city councillors.

Typical of Susan’s approach to her role as mayor was her leadership during the great flood of the spring of 1997. She felt that it was important to be in ongoing communication with the people of Winnipeg throughout the fight against the flood.

So, she held daily press briefings.

For the first one, the members of the Board of Commissioners refused to show up. So, she called on heads of the various departments to come and explain what their departments were doing to save our city.

Once the army became involved, she invited General Hillier, the commander of the soldiers helping with the sandbagging in Winnipeg, to attend a press conference. Because this was just after the military had been pilloried by the media for the behavior of a few of its soldiers on a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, Hillier showed up only reluctantly – and only on condition that he wouldn’t have to say anything.

To Hillier’s dismay, Susan introduced him and invited questions from the floor. The general was not pleased, Susan recalls. He grudgingly answered

the questions. After, he insisted on speaking with Susan in her office and repeated that his superiors had demanded that he wasn’t supposed to speak to the press.

Susan’s response? “Your superiors are wrong.”

By the end of the emergency, the army was basking in the glow of favourable publicity and only too happy to co-operate with the media.

When elected, Susan swore to only serve two terms. True to her word, she didn’t run for re-election in 1998. By the end of her tenure, she had succeeded in completely changing the culture at City hall with a lot more women in leadership roles. She had greatly improved fiscal accountability, leaving her successor with a surplus of $250 million. She had introduced a process of strategic long-range planning and left Winnipeg a safer city.

She also played an instrumental role in bringing to our city the 1998 World Hockey Championship, the 1998 Grey Cup game, and the 1999 Pan-Am games.

Shortly after stepping down as mayor, she was appointed to a three-year term as Canadian Consul General in Minneapolis – the first woman to serve in that role. She returned to Winnipeg in 2003 and assumed a new position leading a $100-million fundraising campaign for her alma mater, the University of Winnipeg.

“I got to work with Lloyd Axworthy (who became the university’s president in 2004) and (business leader) Sandy Riley (who was the chancellor at the time),” she says. “It was a matter of having the right people at the right place at the right time.”

In 2012, Susan moved to Vancouver to be closer to her aged brother and sister. She returned to Winnipeg in 2015 to help raise money for the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s proposed new Quamajuq Museum, housing the world’s largest public collection of Inuit art.

“We decided to have a virtual official opening (on March 25 and 26, 2021),” she notes. “We had 5,000 visitors following our opening online.”

Susan is currently recovering from the second of two knee replacement surgeries. Nonetheless, she is keeping busy helping the Manitoba Opera build an endowment fund, seeing friends and responding to invitations for speaking engagements.

“It is tough changing ingrained cultures,” she observes. “I take pride in playing a role in making our society more diverse and being a role model for women in politics, business and many other walks of life.” lifestyles55.net

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Save the Lemay Forest – it’s an investment in the future Cat Gauthier

The Save Lemay Forest Committee is making progress, but they aren’t “out the woods”, yet! Support from the elected body is a good thing, but the issue is now in the hands of the City administration, who have six months to report. Experience tells me that the Committee will need to keep this in the public eye and continue the pressure. Please do what you can to help! – DD

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n January 11, the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development passed a motion that would give the city’s chief administrative officer the authority to acquire the 22-acre Lemay Forest and greenfield if funds are available. The motion includes a directive to the public service to report back in 180 days on required amendments to the city’s real estate framework for authorization. However, the CAO could still negotiate the deal before the report comes back.

We attended this meeting and had incredible delegations speak in support of saving Lemay Forest, including Save Our Seine and OURS-Winnipeg. Currently, Councilor Markus Chambers and elected officials are working to secure funding partners to acquire the 22-acre Lemay Forest and greenfield by fiscal year-end as there is federal funding which has been earmarked to purchase urban forested land. So now we wait and remain cautiously optimistic.

Also on January 11, Wintrup Planning submitted a development application proposing to subdivide and rezone the Lemay Forest land for a 2,500-unit (5,000 beds) assisted living facility with 5,000 parking spaces.

The plan would not preserve any existing trees or add new vegetation.

Two days before public access to the 22-acre Lemay Forest was cut off by the landowner, we led our final guided walk on the Lemay Forest land for members of the community, the media, the government, and non-

Trees hugging. profit groups. We had a good turnout including a record number of media outlets. Residents from the Behavioral Health Foundation along with one of its directors joined us on the walk to show their support and express their concern for the future of the Lemay Forest. On these guided walks, we typically meet in front of a small stand of mature ash trees and then proceed east on the trail. While we were wait-

ing for everyone to gather, the BHF residents turned to face the forest to perform a drumming and singing ceremony and smudge, it was such a meaningful experience for everyone.

From there, we continued on the trail, and I pointed out nests and animal dens, where the property boundaries are and an Indigenous ceremonial fire and sweats site in the northeast corner of the 22 acres. We ended the walk

at the vestiges of religious alters left by the Oblate Fathers where the residents performed another drumming and singing ceremony. The message is clear, we all need nature for health and healing.

I was raised by a wildlife biologist and a nature-loving outdoor enthusiast, one thing my parents said that stuck is: any effort to conserve nature is an investment in the future.

Saving Lemay Forest is an investment in the future for biodiversity, climate resiliency, our urban canopy, reconciliation, and healing.

As members of the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest, we are often asked during media interviews how we are feeling about the future of the Lemay Forest. My typical answer is that I feel more and more hopeful, and it is because of the incredible amount of support we receive. Support for the Coalition to Save Lemay Forest is local and national non-profits reaching out to ask what they can do to help us save Lemay Forest. These groups have stepped up and have been mentoring us throughout this process, giving us feedback and encouragement for our next steps. They send us perfectly timed pep talks and much-needed words of encouragement. Support is people from the community at large whom I have never met, telling us they fully support our efforts to Save Lemay Forest. They take the time to connect us with environmental leaders and low barrier granting opportunities. Support is receiving perfectly timed text messages encouraging us to keep up the good work and that we are doing the right thing. Support is all the people who share, like and engage on our social media, those who have donated to our GoFundMe and the thousands of people who have signed our online petition.

We could not have accomplished as much as we have to date without all the people and organizations stepping up to help and encourage a small volunteer-led grassroots organization.

If you want to help, check out our website: www.savelemayforest.ca

The Peace Garden is so. . . well, peaceful in winter

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t has been an unusual winter to say the least. We've endured a couple of small stretches of extreme cold, but as I type this more and more snow melts.

Ever trying to be an optimist, I'm momentarily shelving my thoughts of uncertainty about the erratic climate and what my kids will see 20 and 40 winters from now! And no use feeling down when the temperature is over 0 and outdoor exploration is manageable.

These days have presented a different set of feelings and resolve to advance the Tim Chapman development of the International Peace Garden. Protected spaces will continue to play an increasingly important role in understanding climate trends and the effects on our ecosystems. Our wetland and forested Turtle Mountain ecosystems are so unique too.

That is why I encourage people to visit us in the Peace Garden year-round. There are no great outdoor floral displays in winter, and our Conservatory is still wrapping up the expansion phase. But there are nearly 2,400 acres 12

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to explore on foot, snowshoe, skis and by car along the south loop.

Our comfortable and affordable new cabins provide a base for touring about the Garden's grounds through April. You won't be disappointed bringing your significant other, kids or the whole family. The group can hit the trails together and enjoy the company of each other and nature without the distractions of screens.

That said, bring your camera because there is plenty of action to capture.

The birds are rather chatty these days. Chickadees, juncos, nuthatches, woodpeckers, blue jays and owls are eager to serenade. Deer, elk, moose, beaver, coyotes, wolves and more can be spotted regularly. This combination of wildlife is fascinating to watch, especially when the season diverges from expectations.

On clear nights, the stars and Aurora Borealis are breathtaking. With the rolling hills of the Turtle Mountains, there are endless viewing spots at different high points. Viewing the skies is enhanced by the howling of the coyotes and wolves, the hoot of owls and gentle crunch of smaller animals making their way by moonlight.

If you are fortunate to have the time for a wonderful winter escape at IPG, you can also reach out to the office to arrange a sneak peek of the Conservatory.

Don't let winter get away without enjoying one of Manitoba's most unique locations.

February 2024

Other hobbies and caching

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s I am writing this we are be- hobbies. There are several Geocachers ing warned about the extreme that combine their love of carpentry cold weather. We are still Geo- or carving with their caching. Have you found a home made caching, just a bit differbirdhouse that contains ent as in: we park closer to a geocache? How about the hide and dress slightly that wooden signpost warmer but still only with a hollow spot for twenty layers of clothing. the cache? Many GeoSeriously though, rememcaches worldwide are ber that you will chill your home made from wood. fingers getting the log out With the use of variand signing it. A set of ous carpentry tools inhand warmers will come cluding saws, routers, in real handy during a polathes, and drills a piece lar vortex. of wood can become a Fear not, spring will modified item that you come and with it much Gary Brown see anywhere but now more comfortable weathholds a log sheet. Smaller. In the meantime reGeocaching er hand tools are able to member that you may carve or again, modify want to only search for something normal into the winter friendly caches.

Attending events are a great thing a mysterious hiding place. Many hidto do during this period of no out- ing spots are also a natural defect in door sun tanning weather. A couple the wood.

Quite a few Geocachers at one time degrees warmer and there are events involving snowshoes or skis that can were just walkers. Some stopped be a lot of fun. There are places in the walking because they were getting city where you can take the kids slid- bored with the same old path and ing or skating and every one of them finding new ones was not that easy after a while. Once Geocaching was have caches close by.

Geocaching is well known as a hob- discovered the dust came off the Fitby and can be combined with other bit and a new pair of walking shoes

came home from the store. With the many caches in their local areas there was new enthusiasm as far as walking goes. The expression “just one more” became common with my wife and I and suddenly we were walking more than we ever did.

Running and jogging can take on a new focus with Geocaching. Picking a destination or two can set your mileage as well as a couple of rest stops.

Bicycling became more common once we cleared out the closer finds.

Springtime aches and pains from biking soon morphed into “that didn’t seem to be all that far”. Eventually we stopped getting all the caches in a particular area and would get one here and another there with a fair distance between them. That left finds that we could use to return to the area with.

Then we discovered scooters. Not the one foot on the ground type, but electric. Now we were going even further.

Geocaching is a great way to get to new locations for those of you that enjoy birdwatching. My wife and I have spotted so many different birds while out and about. Some that we have never seen before.

Printers, 3D printers that is, are now changing the type of hides that you see out there. It is possible now

to print that cache container that you once bought. You are truly no longer limited by anything but your imagination. The old style bison tube is easily replaced with a printed version. Several designs are out there to find and log. Keep an eye on the Zoo event this fall. Rumour has it that there may be a printed cache or two there.

A winter hobby, going for a geocache on snowshoes or skis, is a great way to combine exercise with fun. A snowmobile can be a lot of fun used to find that hide a way off the path. I remember stepping off the sled once a number of years ago and sinking to my waist in snow. Watch for that.

Whatever your free time activity is there may be a way to connect it to Geocaching. One of the mystery caches required you to knit a pattern which gave you the coordinates. I did see a knitted cache online. It was just a cover for a sturdier container.

Whatever your hobby, it may be useful in making or finding a geocache. I hope to see you somewhere on the trail.

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

Schizophrenia

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

Chapter 3: The Outcome Is sex everything?

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 greatgrandfather 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 greatgrandfather, whom he always called “Pops”.

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hen I suggested to Pops that not everyone would agree with his opinions, he answered, “Naturally! Everyone has a right to their own opinions, including you, and if you don’t agree with my opinions, I ask you to give me your arguments. My hope is that you will have well thought-out and logical arguments, and there will be no name calling and insults like we have in our House of Commons.”

Pops continued, “This morning I heard music from the other side of the fence. Some vocalist was singing over and over, Girls just wanna have fun.

That singer is like a child who just wants to have fun and enjoy herself but does not think about what she should be doing to better her life.”

“I know what you mean, I like to have fun, but I usually choose what I know I should be doing.

Like, for example, on a nice sunny day when I would rather play outside, I often choose to practise my piano, because I know that is what I must do if I want to become a good pianist. Sometimes I’ll make a deal with myself, I’ll play outside for a while and then I’ll go in early so I can get my piano practising done.”

“Well, I guess you got it. People like Doctor Berne believe most people are not serious about life, they are just looking to pass time and they are never looking to bettering themselves. He suggests homosexuality, alcoholism and drug addiction are all part of not taking charge of one’s life and deciding what one really wants. We all must decide what our priorities are, and we need to make choices to work towards our true goals.

Declaring someone is born a homosexual, an alcoholic, or a drug addict, means that person has an excuse for their actions, and they never take responsibility for their choices, and the problem is, these people are coddled and never get to grow up February 2024

enough to accept responsibility for their actions.” Adult, Child or Parent?”

“Well, even to me, it was obvious they were “But you must admit. That is just your opinmostly coming from their Child. All they were ion.”

“I believe this to be true because it makes perfect talking about was how they were having a gay old time and they continually kept up with their husense to me.” mour which everyone was laughing at. However, ••• When I got back from school, Pops was anxious from my conversations with you, I could clearly to hear how things went at the special meeting, see that at times they switched to their Parent and “Well, how did it go? Did you voice your opin- were speaking to the Child in the spectators. It was much like when you see one of those evangeions?”

“No, I never commented. I just sat quietly, while lists on television.”

“I didn’t know you watched evangeI watched and listened.” lists.”

“Who gave the presentation?”

“On Sundays, once in a while, I have “There were three people on the come across one of these programs stage. The one who started it all off and, out of curiosity, I have watched and talked the most was a middle-aged them.” man dressed in drag. He was built “What did you think of them?” like a football player, and he looked, “I don’t get it. I mean they are comto me, quite funny in nylon stockings pletely opposite to what you have and spiked high-heeled shoes. He was been telling me. Like, they say I can’t much like that Dame Edna we saw on run my own life, I need God or Jesus. television a few times. You remember I don’t agree, I agree with your opinhow silly she was? Besides him there ions.” was a thin man, very neat and clean, “How do you think this meeting afwith short hair, and he was wearing a fected your classmates? Did they seem tight-fitting suit with skinny legs. The Dame Edna celebrated third person, I think was a man who on an Australian Stamp. uncomfortable?”

“At the beginning yes, but after a had a sex change and is now a female.

He said he was born Ken and he, or she, is now while most of the audience became more at ease, some of the girls obviously remained embarrassed.

Karen.”

I think I’m going to just forget about the whole “It sounds like it was quite the show!”

“It was. They told jokes and everybody was thing and get on with my life. At my age, I don’t laughing. I believe they exaggerated sex. It’s like even want to think about sex. What about you sex is the only thing in their life. If you know what Pops? What do you think?”

“There is a time and place for everything. And, I mean.” to me, sex is made out to be more important than “And what do you think?”

I had to be truthful with Pops and I told him it really is. If you don’t have sex, you are not going how uncomfortable I was when people were talk- to die like you would if you did not have food. ing about sex. And when they started talking In relationships, if sex is the only thing holding it about how one is born with one gender on the together, there can never be any intimacy. People inside and another on the outside, I remembered will never get to know each other, to accept each what Pops had told me, if I started questioning other’s opinions, and to trust each other. A true what they were saying, they would probably ridi- relationship is not based on sex, it is two people cule me in front of all my classmates. So, I just who fully respect and trust each other, have no sekept quiet. I felt Pops would be upset with me for crets from each other, and are working together on common goals.” being such a coward, but he wasn’t.

As usual, I agree with Pops.

“Sometimes it’s best just to keep one’s mouth Next Month, a new story: Why I Go to shut and not voice personal opinions. Arguments School never change anything, and few people want to Wayne Douglas Weedon is a Manitoba author who engage in adult conversations. Now tell me, in your opinion, which personality do you think writes a combination of fictional and factual stories, these presenters were mostly coming from, their essays, and novels. lifestyles55.net

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A passion for ice sports and a plea to curb hockey violence Robert E. Wrigley

I

ce sports have been a dominant pursuit for members of my family for many decades, which was remarkable considering my siblings and I were born in Buenos Aires, where ice was apparent only in beverages. Arriving in Montreal as youngsters, my sister, brother, and I took to frozen ponds and then outdoor skating rinks with great enthusiasm.

When just ten years old, my father took me to the Montreal Forum (as a guest of my Great Uncle William Northey) to see my first professional hockey game, where I witnessed some of hockey’s greats at the heights of their careers – Jacques Plante, Rocket Richard, John Belliveau, Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geoffrion, Butch Bouchard, and other notables on the Canadiens team, and Terry Sawchuk, Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay and Alex Delvecchio playing for Detroit. That thrilling experience initiated my life-long passion for the game.

Hockey legacy family My mother’s uncle, William M. Northey (1872-1963), was a noted Canadien sportsman and founder/president of the Canadien Arena Company, which built the world’s first arena planned specifically for hockey, in Westmount, Quebec in 1897, followed by the Arena Gardens in Toronto in 1912, and then finally the historic Montreal Forum in 1924 – the home of the legendary Montreal Canadiens. He served as Franchise Owner and President of both the Montreal Maroons (the English-speaking team inaugurated in 1924) and later the Montreal Canadiens (formerly Les Canadiens, the French-speaking team), which unified in 1938.

I can still recall being overwhelmed as I entered from a darkened hallway into the electric pregame atmosphere of the packed Montreal Forum, and then by sitting in a private box seat (near ice level) beside my dad, Uncle Northey, Senator Hartland Molson, and General Manager Frank J. Selke Senior. I was probably in the very seat occupied by Princess Elizabeth (a few months before her coronation) or Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, when the couple had been hosted by Uncle Northey to witness their first full hockey game on October 29, 1951 (apology for the royal name dropping!). During intermission, I was brought along

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Left: Young Robert on skates; Right: Jean Wrigley (centre) with Hollywood celebrities. into the VIP lounge, where I was struck by the pleasant aroma of fresh coffee and the sight of pyramids of sandwiches with all the crusts neatly trimmed off. Back in my seat, I was astonished at the sharp crack of the puck hitting the glass right in front of me, and the brutal thuds of players being checked into the boards. During the exciting match, an errant puck landed in my lap; what a souvenir. It was truly a magical night to remember forever.

Uncle Northey was well known in hockey circles, being the driving force behind the Canadien Amateur Hockey Association, the Allan Cup, and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He was made Honorary President of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1944 and was inducted as a Builder in 1947. Instrumental in several major hockey innovations, he arranged for a crossbar and netting to be added onto the two-post goal, changed the two 30-minute periods to three 20-minute ones, and dropped one of the three defensemen, known as the ‘Rover.’ His name was inscribed on the Stanley Cup three times (1953, 1956, 1957) as Executive Vice-President of the Montreal Canadiens. Decades later, I inherited his 1952-1953 silver cup commemorating the Canadiens’ Stanley Cup victory over the Detroit Red Wings. I subsequently donated the cup to the Canadien National Archives, along with a large collection of his sports-related papers and memorabilia, including a draft and correspondence relating to his planned book on “The Origins and Development of Ice Hockey in Canada.”

Among his many voluntary memberships and accolades in sport, Uncle Northey was a member of the Commonwealth Games Committee, the Canadien Olympic Committee, and was elected to the Canadien Olympic Hall of Fame as a Builder in the hockey category. While an Honorary President of the Canadien Amateur Skating Association, he watched my sister Jean’s figureskating career progress, as she soon won the Eastern Canadien Figure Skating Championship. Shortly afterwards, Jean turned professional as a soloist with the Ice Follies, which has toured major North American cities since 1936. At annual premier shows in Hollywood, she posed at rink side with numerous actors, including Jimmy Stewart, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Loretta Young, and Ernest

Borgnine, and was in constant demand for media interviews due to her exuberant personality and dedication to skating.

Jean had honed her early skating skills in backyard and community center rinks at our home in St. Lambert, Quebec.

My brother John became a proficient hockey goalie, honing his early defensive moves in our basement, with a worktable serving as goal posts. I spent so many hours trying to slap shot tennis balls past him. Years later, he spearheaded the University of Toronto hockey team into winning a streak of Canadien championships and played successfully against the Czechoslovak national hockey team at the advent of modern international games.

He was subsequently invited to try out with the newly recruiting Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club but declined the offer in order to complete his law degree and start a legal business.

What happened to the game?

I enjoyed playing hockey for many years as a youth in St. Lambert. My friends and I dressed in our equipment at home, skated several long blocks on snow- and icepacked streets to our local outdoor rink, cleared the snow with heavy steel pushplows, played for three periods, and then skated home (I know this sounds like the comical; “When I was a kid...”). Frostbitten ear tips and broken eyeglasses were simply small prices to pay for all that fun.

Any idea how hard it is to find lenses once scattered on the ice? I can still recall the feeling resulting from a puck in the face.

No one wore head gear back in the 1950s (none had been invented yet), so my anxious mother acquired for me a leather helmet (the kind early airplane pilots wore!), which I foolishly refused to wear for fear of ridicule. After each game I usually collapsed in front of the crackling fire. All my teammates and I were in great shape from this rigorous routine, as no one had to be driven to and from an indoor arena with a Zamboni-cleaned ice surface. Sadly, I had to abandon playing hockey during my university years at McGill and Illinois, and after moving to Winnipeg, I focused on setting up home, new employment, and starting a family.

Around this time, I happened to attend the games of several local high-schoolaged teenagers and was struck with how violent the game had become. Edged on by rowdy spectators, some of whom delighted in, and cheered for, every bonejarring body check, it now seemed like my favourite game, based formerly on speed, deft stickhandling, pinpoint passing, sportsmanship, and fun, had substituted the nasty element of trying to injure opponents, or at least threaten them off their game by questionable tactics of intimidation.

It has always seemed to me that crushing someone into the boards when their back was turned, cross-checking from behind to defend the front of the net, or purposefully slamming into an opponent when their head was down, were intuitively cowardly acts. Colliding into other speeding players or sliding uncontrollably into the boards

or a goal post, are entirely unavoidable in a game as fast as hockey, as I was only too aware while playing. But to purposefully attack an opponent with the intent of causing injury I feel should have no place in amateur or professional hockey. One can take an opponent out of a play with a legitimate body check without administering serious harm. I had hoped the age of hockey ‘goons’ and ‘enforcers’ was over in the modern state of the sport, but such is not the case; teams must still actively defend their most-skilled player assets by any means possible. The resulting fights occur in almost every professional game.

I know there are established penalties in the rule book for charging, boarding, cross-checking, head contact, kneeing, fighting, and roughing with intent to injure, but referees must have been instructed long ago by league owners and managers to let many of these infractions go, with the purpose of making matches more exciting for audiences. “Let the players play,” “Let them settle their disputes on the ice,” and “Don’t slow down the game with too many penalties,” are often stated as rationales for permitting cheating play. The miss or ignoring of a penalty, or inconsistent calls, by referees (whose job is clearly challenging) exacerbates the frustration level of players and encourages retaliation. In the Winnipeg Arena, I remember vividly “The Golden Jet,” Bobby Hull, weaving his way through an opposing team and hearing the thuds of lumber applied to his legs and arms, all without a penalty being called.

Frenzy for violence Fan frenzy for violence and fighting during a game sadly appeals to our species’ enthusiasm for witnessing aggression, not much different than occurred over two millennia ago during vulgar gladiatorial events featured in Roman amphitheaters.

I would like to see the “Intent to Injure” component of the rule book enforced with more significant consequences than a major penalty or a few-games suspension (especially for causing severe injuries), a change that would greatly clean up ugly aspects of the sport. How many missed games due to knee injuries, repeated concussions (often leading to permanent brain trauma), broken bones, prematurely ended careers, and even occasional tragic deaths have to occur at any level of hockey before rational regulations are put in place to protect players. Accidents happen but acts of purposely attacking an opponent should not be tolerated. Trained referees can tell the difference.

To recapture my youth and love of hockey, I decided to join an old-timer (i.e., over 50 years of age) league, where although remaining quite competitive, body checking and slap shots were not allowed, for obvious player safety. And although I greatly enjoyed participating, and the camaraderie of my team mates, and didn’t mind too much games scheduled for 11:00 pm on work nights and Sunday mornings at 8:00 am (the only times ice was available), even here, occasional bad on-ice behaviour forced me into a final decision to retire from the sport (personal minor injuries, but an opposing goalie died from complications arising from a broken leg). Fortunately, I am still able to enjoy skating a couple of times a week in local arenas, attending an occasional Winnipeg Jets game through the generosity of a close friend, and games broadcast on television. Strangely, I even take pleasure watching arena ice freeze up after a Zamboni passes by, perhaps a leftover memory of watering my backyard rink for my kids on a crisp winter night.

The old ice instinct is still there after more than 70 years. For my family and many others, a passion for ice sports seems to be at the very core of being Canadian.

February 2024

For the love of broadcasting Alex Regiec

T

he idea for Lifestyles 55 internet radio came together about two years ago. A small group of us, retired announcers from local radio in Winnipeg, gathered to discuss the opportunity. We are all very passionate about playing the classic tracks that defined our youth ... the music of the late 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. Having digitized our comprehensive record collections, we wanted to bring back the music and stories of the artists in a programming format no longer heard on conventional radio. Thus, we pooled our resources and talent and set out to create Winnipeg’s first exclusively online internet radio station … Lifestyles 55 Radio.

The basics of internet radio If you haven’t heard of internet radio or online streaming, the definition rather straightforward. It simply is a radio station that broadcasts via the World Wide Web or internet as opposed to the conventional Alex Regiec. method of sending signals through the atmosphere and otherwise known as land-based or terrestrial radio broadcasting.

An internet station sounds pretty much the same as a traditional FM station, featuring announcers, music, programming and commercials. However, unlike terrestrial stations which are subject to environmental factors such as atmospheric interference and limited by geographic location and range, online radio offers uninterrupted clear digital sound anywhere.

Another advantage to listening to an internet radio station is the absence of long blocks of commercial ads. Yes, there are costs associated with broadcasting online, however those costs are significantly less than that of a landbased radio station.

A soft launch … we’re on air!

After several organizational meetings and learning the technical processes to deliver digital content to people locally, across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, we went about securing a URL address and designing an attractive website to tell everyone about our new radio station. Found online at www.lifestyles55radio. ca we provide information on the shows we offer (currently 14 in number and growing), our programming schedule, and most importantly how to tune in and listen.

In fact, we offer a convenient player on our website … simply tap the “play” button and enjoy our great music.

We also established a presence on social media, with a Facebook page that is updated daily with lots of great in-

formation by Lisa Lewis, our Lifestyles55 Digital Radio super heroine of social media. She keeps our listeners up to date on the latest news and events happening in the music scene in Winnipeg, throughout Manitoba, across Canada and around North America.

Then our team of announcers got busy and went into their home studios to craft their shows from locations in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Calgary.

Once we had all the pieces gathered and in order, we started broadcasting or “went live” as they say in the business on April 16th, 2023.

We are Lifestyles 55 Radio Our station is a partnership company registered in the Province of Manitoba and governed by a board of directors with veteran broadcaster Jim Ingebrigtsen as our President, Honorary British Consul for the Province of Manitoba Dwight MacAuley our Vice-President and numbers and sales wiz Ian Leatt is our treasurer.

Our team of announcers and technicians work continuously at creating new episodes and programming shows and music for your listening enjoyment and entertainment. Everyone involved from the top down is a volunteer.

Our broadcast on the World Wide Web is made technically possible and is powered by our friends at Live365.

Since internet radio is required to pay performance royalties for every song you hear, just like the terrestrial radio stations do, our friends at Live365 handles the administration and pays the performance royalties for us (along with many other independent internet radio stations) so that the artists get paid for their musical creations you enjoy hearing.

Our group of announcers and their shows include: • John Einarson - Catch up with the ‘Old Professor’ on all thing’s music one of his 4 shows - My Generation, Off the Record, Desperados and Night Moves.

• Greg Gardner - Tune in and listen to Greg’s dive into groovy 60s tunes, deep tracks of the 70s and surfin’ sounds on Music from the North Shore.

• Jim Ingebrigtsen – On Mid-Century Memories, Jim celebrates the music from the early 1950s to the mid 1960s. All for the melancholy minded. On Radio Redux, you’ll hear his interviews with some of the icons in the music business as well as other interesting characters.

• Dorothy Dobbie – A former Parliamentarian and member of the Order of Canada, Dorothy’s new show called “Issues of the Day” brings all points of view together in a lively, thought provoking and fun manner.

• Chris Golden – From his studio in Calgary Chris

Chris Tuffer’s “Quest for silver” Mark Moote

M

ark Christopher Moote is the guy they call Mr. T. (Chris Tuffer) on L55DR and the

Q4S. I devised my name on the air from my middle name Cristopher to become Chris Tuffer.

I started in radio at age 9 with a computer savvy friend who designed a computer system for the Welland ship Canal which bypasses Niagara Falls.

My friend did this long before computers were common and before he was a teenager (he is much smarter than me!).

We used to broadcast to family and friends now and then. Zip ahead a few years: during high school Chris Tuffer.

I used to play songs on the school intercom for students to hear during lunch hour.

After that, I enrolled in the Career Academy School of Broadcasting in Toronto where I spent two years, then, before completion of the course, I landed a job at a local radio station.

I worked at a variety of private radio stations for a half dozen years before I heard a call to ministry and attended seminary for four years. I became a pastor and spent over 30 years doing a difFebruary 2024

ferent kind of “broadcasting”.

Through it all, I never lost my interest in radio, and I was able to keep my hand in it throughout the years.

Winnipeg caught my ears as I was listening to what was available and Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio seemed like a good way to continue to play the old tunes – good songs that were not able to break the barrier and get to first place, some songs that were very popular but for one reason or other not number one on the charts, and even some that were able to hold on to the number one position. We also focus on songs from the mid twentieth century –the songs we remember and sing along with because we know all the words.

Now that the internet provides a venue, I am thrilled to continue to offer through Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio my love of the medium to listeners who have not had the option to hear of this type of music.

I live in Saskatoon but thanks to the convenience of emails and texting, we make our station available throughout the world – I am grateful to those who care to check us out.

Listen at https://www.lifestyles55radio.ca/ chris-tuffer.html . Chris Tuffer is on Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. and at 6:00 p.m. He is on a quest for silver. Let us know if there is something you would like to hear.

Lifestyles 55 Radio is on the air at www.lifestyles55radio.ca offers up Golden’s Oldies playing his and our favourites including many hits from the U.K. • Chris Tuffer – A veteran AM/FM radio announcer, spinning vinyl remains the romantic aspect of playing music on-air, now in retirement Chris has embraced digital technology to keep the memories alive in all of us on his show Quest for Silver with Mr. T. • Shauna Dobbie – On her show Flora and Fauna, Shauna interviews guests from the gardening and the natural world.

• Bill Quinn – Bill’s show his experiences as a folk performer. He focuses on folk and international music he encountered while touring.

• John Panting & Captain Alex – The dynamic duo continues their quest dusting off their old 45s and many shelves of LPs in their Retro Rec Room looking back and listening along with you to the music that defined your youth. If smooth jazz is your thing, then you can chill with Captain Alex on The Night Breeze.

Our volunteer team of retired announcers has spent 50+ years working on the dial in AM and FM broadcasting. Now on the internet and for the love of broadcasting, you can tune into and listen to them once again.

Welcome to new frontier of internet radio and the wonderful sound of Lifestyles 55 Radio.

Take us anywhere you go. We’ve made it easy to tune into us by using your smartphone, smart speakers, tablet, laptop or desk computer.

Our station is FREE to listen to, so show us some love by tuning in. And why not tell your friends about a radio station they’re going to dig.

Lifestyles 55 Radio. The station that is tuned to you!

Jim Ingebrigtsen is on the air again ers) to play some of the music I grew up with. And so, Mid Century Memories it became. Each podcast is filled with familiar songsters and popular merican actor, musician and instrumentals from the early 1950s artist Martin Mull once said, to the mid 1960s. As I often say dur“Writing about music is like ing the shows, “not a lot of rock, nor dancing about architecture”. I agree. a lot of talk, just great music”.

At about the same time, I started I am not going to write about the interviewing folks I music I play on my had met during my podcast Mid Century involvement in show Memories but I am gobusiness. These ining to give you a good clude Colin Blunstone idea of what you will from the Zombies, hear when you tune in.

Jim McCarty from There was no telethe Yardbirds and vision in any of the Peter Noone from twelve or so houses my Herman’s Hermits. family lived in until I I intend to add more was almost thirteen. soon. I call that show As such, the only form Radio Redux. of electronic entertain- Jim Ingebrigsten.

We now have more ment I had was a radio. and easier access to evThere, I would curl up close to the speaker and listen to ery genre of music than ever before.

Fibber McGee and Molly, Amos and Whether we are in a car or at home, Andy, and The Great Gildersleeve. we can listen to any music we want That’s also is where I fell in love with coming from anywhere in the world.

That includes the music on Lifestyles music.

Some of the names I became fa- 55 Digital.

Listen to Jim at https://www.lifestylesmiliar with were the Mills Brothers, Julie London, Doris Day, Frank Sina- 55radio.ca/jim-ingebrigtsen.html. Mid tra and the full roster of the time. I Centure Memories can be heard Monthought it would be a good idea day to Friday at 12 noon. Radio Redux when we created Lifestyles 55 Digital in on the air at noon on Saturday and radio (a group of retired broadcast- Sunday.

Jim Ingebrigtsen

A

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