Long time readers of Lifestyle 55 will know that for several years a group of dedicated citizen volunteers have been working with members of Centre Venture and others in the City on a project to add some greenery to the east side of Graham Avenue. The brainchild of former Holy Trinity Church Pastor, Cathy Campbell, the group is chaired by Colliers’ Wendy Janzen. Slowly be surely, they have moved the dial to a positive position where now action can happen. This July, you will see the transformation of this part of Graham begin as part of a three-year pilot project to complement the previous plan to turn Graham into a pedestrian mall and celebration place.
There will be much published about the public blocks which are included in the civic planning budget. The two-block area that marks the beginning of the green dream, is different. Here there has been a small allocation of $250,000 over the three years to cover some of the cost. But in this world that will not do much, so we have turned to the private sector for help.
Two particularly civic minded firms have stepped up
Buses will leave most of Graham, allowing for more leisure areas at street centre.
to the challenge: Ray and Jeanne Dubois of Ron Paul Garden Centre and Urban Lumber’s Doug Cook, and his partners Mike McGarry and his wife Carlee Farmer. The installations here will be focused on shade and comfort. Because this is just a pilot project without a real budget, major green installations can’t happen, so
How can I say that in English?
Let’s hurkle-durkle this summer!
Summer is here! What a relief. In a year filled with turmoil, anxiety, elections, international threats to Canadian sovereignty, stock market fluctuations, wars, rumours of wars, measles outbreaks, fires, floods, and other woes of every type, we all need a mental health break. Summer in Manitoba provides the perfect opportunity to stock up on activities and traditions that can revitalize and refresh our
minds, bodies, and spirits.
I have been thinking about ways to approach this task over the summer months, and I have come up with a few strategies that I’d like to share that are inspired from other languages and cultures.
Apparently, a wonderful way to improve your vacation time is to engage in the traditional Scottish practice of the hurkle-durkle. I first heard of this activity in conjunction with a tourism study that was conducted in the United Kingdom.
11 ‘how can I say that in English?' u
Thanks to Dorothy Dobbie for inviting me to submit columns to Lifestyle 55, for this first one I’ll introduce myself.
Iwas born in Toronto in 1961, into a unique family constellation. Both sides of my family originate in Italy, the Cerilli’s from Supino, near Rome, and the Macaluso’s, my mom’s side, from Termini, Sicily.
After fighting in World War I, my grandfather made trips to Canada to build the railway. In 1939, just before the start of World War II my grandmother fled on a ship to Canada, dodging the draft by Mussolini’s army for 17-year-old, Angelo, my father, the oldest of four sons.
My mother’s side immigrated to Chicago before coming to Canada, where my grandfather worked in a mattress factory that caught fire. In Canada, they owned, operated and lived above a small shop on Toronto’s Margareta Street. My mother Rose worked in a chocolate factory with my Aunt Mary who introduced her to Angelo.
Marianne Cerilli
Trudy Schroeder
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IF YOU ARE A SENIOR. . . .
You should consider having the following in place
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Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is a document which appoints an individual to handle your affairs in the event you become mentally incapable of making your own decisions. Nothing prevents you from continuing to make your own decisions while you are still competent.
A power of attorney is an extremely valuable document to have in place in case anything happens to you which affects your mental ability, such as a stroke, coma or dementia.
Health Care Directive (Living Will)
A health care directive, commonly called a living will, is a document which appoints an individual to make decisions with regard to your health care only, while you are alive but unable to express your decisions yourself. This document is distinct from a power of attorney and deals only with health care decisions such as whether life sustaining treatments, such as CPR or blood transfusion, should be continued or withdrawn.
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The sad state of competition in airline and telecom services
If you were to be asked, what is the most uncompetitive industry in Canada, what would your answer be?
Mine would be telecom services with air travel close behind.
Air travel
Recently, the Competition Bureau has vowed to open up competition in air travel, including allowing an increase from 25% to 49% participation for single investor foreign ownership in Canadian airlines. Multiple foreign investors in a Canadian airline can currently own up to 49%. The Bureau recommends that this be increased to 100%. I don’t necessarily think we have to go that far.
Instead, we could allow cabotage in Canada. This would permit foreign owned airlines to transport passengers between Canadian locations, a practice the airline pilots union opposes on the grounds that they would cherry pick routes (of course they would). This could be mitigated by mandating a certain number of secondary or tertiary routes that would come with the package. We could also demand reciprocal rights in their territories, increasing revenue for Canadian owned firms.
over the top. Regulations designed to limit forced contracts have been subverted by underhanded and sneaky marketing tactics.
Trying to understand the intricacies of proposed services takes a PhD in economics or the patience of Job. They are filled with time-limited credits for things you don’t want and don’t need while forcing you to take services of little use to you.
Dorothy Dobbie
In fairness, 25% to 35% of your ticket can be attributable to airport fees and taxes and this must also be addressed. Fees include “airport improvement costs”, security services, and “rent” paid to the federal government for the right to operate the airport. This is similar to the scheme used to operate ports. Taxes include carbon tax, fuel excise tax, and GST/HST. A $600 round trip could include $169 in fees and taxes compared to a total of $69 in the US for the same priced journey.
Of course, the current airlines are going to resist any change, and I don’t want to see them removed or overwhelmed by foreign competitors, but we do need changes, and they are not volunteering improvements to either airfare or service. However, we don’t want government subsidies which are just another smoke and mirrors tax.
It is time for Canadian airlines to reexamine their business model before someone else does it for them.
Internet and cable services – the telecom industry
Nothing is more concentrated right now that then telecom business. The merger of Shaw and Rogers was the final straw, and I can’t believe the Liberals let it happen. Costs are
I recently got a major shock when my Bell invoice (no longer any pretense of MTS involvement) arrived adding another $100 a month to the total due to “expiring credits”. I called to cancel and, while I was waiting the usual interminable time on the line, I looked up what was being offered by Rogers – very little difference, just couched in different terms. The Bell “customer loyalty” rep ended up offering me a rebate on the extra $100, so I let it go, only to get the next bill with no change. Another three hours on the phone did very little to resolve the issue but this time I asked for his promises in writing. They came – not as a proposal, instead they were presented as a fait accomplis!
I have had better treatment from Telus as my supplier of cell phone services so I thought I would give them a try, only to learn that they have not yet been granted the right to offer television services.
Our telecom services in Canada are the highest priced in the world. Canadian telecom services in 2023 generated $59.6 billion in total revenues, a 4.3% year-over-year increase according to the CRTC in its May 2025 report.
While the Internet offers many excuses for these high costs and suggests that there are other players besides the big three, that is untrue in Manitoba. There are two providers of landline phones (and who has a land line anymore) and Starlink is available to several remote communities. But our options are very limited.
Television has escaped the bonds of cable but relying on telecom providers for live streaming services requires a smart tv and can increase your internet bills.
As for television, I am contemplating installing a tv antenna which today is apparently a realistic option.
So, you are stuck. Pay up or shut up.
That is not how free enterprise is supposed to work. There is nothing FREE about any of these services.
The NDP suffered a terrible blow in the last election, but it was not the worst in history. That honour was reserved for the Progressive Conservative party in 1993, when the ruling party, which had won two back-to-back majorities, was tossed out on its ear and left with two seats, one old one and one brand new, both from the Maritimes. Interestingly, in that same election. NDP fortunes were also deeply affected, awarding them with only nine seats.
The time, while it again lost its official status in the House and its leader, the NDP kept its dignity with a total of seven seats. Leah Gazan, a relative newcomer first elected in 2019 to Winnipeg Centre, is now the party’s lone Manitoba MP. Even the previously unassailable Niki Ashton gave up her seat to a Liberal newcomer, Rebecca Chartrand, who was made minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
learning to live in harmony should be lesson number one. It is not our role to tell others how to manage their differences. Indeed, those political differences were often what prompted new citizens to come here where they could live their lives in peace, believing and thinking freely without government or other imposed restrictions.
This outside is not the only one who thinks this. “There is going to be a battle for the soul of the party,” said Brad Lavigne, a former NDP campaign director.
So, what happens now? Should the NDP quietly fold its federal tent and slink away into obscurity? The answer is No and not only because their presence helps Conservatives by taking votes away from the Liberals, but because they have a valid voice that deserves to be heard, and that often needs to be heard.
I am all about free enterprise, smaller government and self-reliance because achievement is a more satisfying and rewarding way to live. It makes us stronger and better able to survive in a competitive world. But I am also about balance. I understand that we are not born equal. We can only aspire to equal opportunity to become all that we can become, given the talent and abilities we were born with. I understand that sometimes people need a hand. The NDP is a forceful voice for those of us who need that help, and I support that.
Still, the NDP has also lost its way, somewhat. It was always the voice of labour, advocating for the working man and woman. Many of those voices seem to have been drowned out by political causes that have nothing to do with compassion and labour fairness. Instead, we see a new focus on gender, race and polarizing foreign causes that are, in large part, irrelevant to Canadian realities, where
Where should the federal NDP go from here?
It’s a question that’s hung in the air since the night of April 28, 2025: What is left of the federal New Democratic Party, and where does it go from here?
Dobbie vs Dobbie
In the meantime, the labour movement has quietly faded under domination by unions of government agencies as unions themselves have amalgamated and grown into very large, oneshop-fits-all organizations. They seem to be less locally focused and have this lost that “athome” feeling.
As in some other political parties – federally and provincially, there has been a movement to try and exploit ethnic votes under the assumption that new Canadian vote as a block. Some may appear to do this, but even when they do, that vote getting technique backfires as core philosophies are compromised by special interests. In a list drawn up by one NDP luminary there were seven possibilities for leader – four women and three men. It will be interesting to see who actually steps up to the plate,
Also, in common with other parties, there has been a centralization of power, removing dominion from local riding associations and vesting it in Ottawa. This is a drastic mistake for all parties, and it is eroding democracy, as paid functionaries manage too much, disturbing the natural but messy equilibrium of the grassroots movement.
I wish the Party well as it tries to regain its sense of who it really is. We need opposing voices, different ideas and resistance to bullying from the traditional ruling parties. We don’t have to agree to value the perspectives of others. We just have to be glad that there is another way to look at things and allow that voice to moderate what, without opposition, could become extreme action.
After a catastrophic election for them that reduced the party to just seven seats and stripped of official party status in the House of Commons, the federal NDP finds itself not merely bruised but existentially shaken. Now it has an interim leader, Don Davies (who?), and is reportedly a movement in search of a message, a caucus and a reason to exist.
The election itself proved to be a stark two-party contest. Voters, confronted with a world growing more unstable economically, environmentally and diplomatically, gravitated toward what they saw as the safest hands.
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives offered blunt populism and promises of deregulation.
That relevance seems to have died with Layton.
And yet, the need for a strong, independent social democratic party has not gone away. If anything, the NDP’s collapse leaves a vacuum. Without credible left opposition, the Liberals can drift at will, being quasi-leftist during elections and favouring corporate interests while governing. Historically, the NDP has served as Parliament’s moral compass, championing policies that later became consensus: public healthcare, pensions, housing, labour protections. Without that voice, progressive policy risks becoming performative or quietly shelved.
The Liberals, newly led Mark Carney, offered something else: technocratic calm, economic gravitas, and a climate rollback that was palatable to carbon-fatigued suburban voters. Slightly more people voted for the guy we barely know than the guy who hates everything, and very few voted for the guy who was, frankly, the most stable hand in the last government, giving us cheap daycare and dental care.
By cancelling the federal consumer carbon tax and focusing on infrastructure and internal trade, Carney managed to siphon voters from both flanks. He won over soft Conservatives with pro-business reassurances, and strategic progressives who might otherwise have voted NDP or Green.
That squeeze left little oxygen for the NDP. Their traditional appeal of offering compassion, climate action and a more equitable economy was overshadowed by the electoral urgency to stop the Conservatives. The party was squeezed out of Quebec, failed to hold key urban ridings, and saw its vote share collapse to just 6.3 percent.
But blaming external forces alone would be too easy.
Internally, the NDP has suffered from a persistent identity crisis. Is it a pragmatic player shaping policy from the sidelines, as in the Liberal-NDP supply agreement of 2022–2025? Or is it a radical voice for structural change, as envisioned by the delusional architects of the Leap Manifesto? That tension between deal-making and movementbuilding has never fully resolved, and in 2025, it cracked the party's foundation.
The irony is sharp: it was only 14 years ago, in 2011, that the NDP surged to its historic high of 103 seats under Jack Layton. That election saw the party become Official Opposition for the first time, propelled by Layton’s personal charisma, a Quebec breakthrough, and the collapse of the Ignatieff Liberals. It was a moment of optimism, energy, and newfound relevance.
Internally, the NDP has struggled with a long-standing identity crisis. Is it a movement party, built to challenge the system and push transformative policy? Or is it a pragmatic force that influences government through cooperation and policy concessions? In recent years, it has tried to be both. The party’s 2022 supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals delivered real wins on dental care, pharmacare commitments, and anti-scab legislation. But it also blurred the party’s identity. To many voters, the NDP became indistinguishable from the government it was propping up.
The irony is sharp. Only 14 years ago, in 2011, the NDP rose to Official Opposition status under Jack Layton. That success came from a clear message, charismatic leadership, and a remarkable breakthrough in Quebec. Layton’s popularity and optimism drew voters from both the Bloc and the Liberals, offering something distinct and hopeful. The NDP of that era felt like a movement on the rise.
Today, the party is preparing for a leadership race that will test its purpose. The likely frontrunner, our own Leah Gazan, MP for Winnipeg Centre, offers grassroots credibility, a track record on Indigenous justice, and the language of climate justice that echoes the party's activist roots. But others, like Jenny Kwan and Gord Johns, offer decades of governance and policy experience that may appeal to a party wary of another leap without a net. Outside voices like Avi Lewis may try to harness the energy of the party’s left flank, but their lack of parliamentary presence will be a strategic liability.
What happens next will depend on how the NDP understands its defeat. If it treats the 2025 election as simple a consequence of bad timing and strategic voting, it may waste precious years repeating the same patterns. But if it acknowledges the deeper structural shifts in voter behaviour, party branding, and progressive identity, it may be able to chart a course forward.
If it can’t reconcile its ambitions with a clear, actionable identity – something more than “not the Liberals” – it risks fading in both Parliament and in public consciousness. But if it can harness its moral core, rebuild through the regions and movements that still believe in it, and offer a compelling vision of what equity and justice actually look like, then perhaps this moment of collapse is also a chance for rebirth.
Dorothy Dobbie Shauna Dobbie
Wab Kinew owes nurses an explanation
Let’s get one thing straight. Emergency rooms don’t run on guesswork or prejudice. They run on triage – a protocol designed to prioritize patients based on how urgently they need medical attention. It’s not perfect. No system is. But it is meant to treat heart attacks before headaches, strokes before sprained ankles. That’s the foundation of emergency care in Canada.
Now we’re being told that Winnipeg’s nurses and frontline health care workers may be unfairly assessing patients based on race. That’s the suggestion coming from the Shared Health race-based health care data, released this week in partnership with the University of Manitoba. And I want to be careful here – I’m not attacking the data itself. What concerns me is how it’s being interpreted and what this government does with it.
The report shows that Black and Indigenous patients are waiting longer in ERs and are more likely to leave without being seen. It claims these patients are being triaged with lower urgency scores and, in many cases, simply give up and walk out. That is deeply troubling. Everyone deserves timely, respectful care, and if there are systemic issues in how we manage emergency departments, we need to confront them.
But the implication now being made – that nurses are assigning lower triage scores based on a patient’s race – is serious. And dangerous. Because what the Premier and his government are doing, intentionally or not, is calling frontline health care professionals racist. They’re saying that decisions about who gets seen and waits are influenced not by symptoms but skin colour.
Let’s pause there. Are we really saying that nurses are purposefully entering lower triage scores for Black and Indigenous patients? That they’re overriding clinical protocols, ignoring training, and risking lives – all because of bias? That’s a heavy accusation, and I’d like to know what evidence this government has beyond broad statistical conclusions.
Triage in this province uses the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale – CTAS. It’s based on vitals, symptoms, and urgency. It’s not guesswork. I spoke with a frontline health care worker about this report. Their reaction was clear: It doesn’t sit well with staff. And I don’t blame them. This kind of message – that racism may be behind triage decisions – cuts deeply into the morale of people who are already overworked, understaffed, and still showing up every day.
If there’s a concern about the CTAS system or how it’s applied under pressure, let’s have that conversation. If we think the protocol fails to capture certain symptoms accurately or doesn’t work well in chaotic ER environments, that’s a valid issue. But throwing nurses under the bus based on aggregated data, without context, isn’t just wrong – it’s irresponsible.
Was the data set reviewed alongside actual medical cases? Did it compare patient symptoms, diagnosis outcomes, arrival times, and ambulance volumes during the same periods? Did it take into account how many paramedics rolled in during those timeframes with trauma victims, heart attacks, overdoses, or stroke patients that needed immediate care?
Or did the researchers just look at race, wait times, and walkouts – and draw their conclusion from there?
That’s not how real-world ERs work. Nurses don’t
Oh, Canada . . .
Somewhere over the past decade, Canada lost its way, mired in division, anger, and confusion, all cloaked in fine words about equity, diversity, etc. People were “cancelled” for holding the “wrong” views about anything from their own health and health needs to their sexual and gender identity. I won’t belabor the point. You all know what I mean.
So here we are, mid-2025, clinging to a best-before government, despite its shining new leader, tentatively trying out what we are told will be a new world, a new start, a renewed Canada. Oh, how I hope this is true, but I have worries.
For Canada to reach its true potential, we have to consider all its people
get to stop time and review race, income, and social history before assigning a score. They’re reacting, under pressure, to critical situations. They’re making lifeand-death decisions with the information in front of them. If there’s a pattern of walkouts or delays, maybe we need more triage nurses. Maybe we need a rework of the system. But to float the idea that racial bias is driving outcomes – without proving it case-by-case – is reckless.
The government’s decision to release this information without proper context is what I take issue with. They didn’t stand beside nurses when this story broke. They didn’t explain the triage system or offer any defence of frontline staff. Instead, they stood behind the language of “systemic racism” and let the conclusion hang in the air: That bias is baked into emergency care.
Premier Wab Kinew and Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara owe nurses an apology. If their intent wasn’t to suggest racism, then say that clearly. Correct the record. Because right now, good professionals feel accused of something they didn’t do, and it’s happening at a time when we’re already struggling to attract and retain experienced health care workers in Manitoba.
You can’t fix a broken system by attacking the people keeping it running.
We’re all on board with improving health outcomes for every community. We support efforts to close gaps. But solutions must be rooted in facts, not assumptions, and they must respect the people working on the ground.
The truth is, we need more context. What medical conditions were Black and Indigenous patients presenting with when they received low scores? Were the symptoms mild? Were there higher-acuity cases arriving at the same time? Were these patients entering through the front door or brought in by ambulance? What else was happening in the ER during those shifts?
Until those questions are answered, this isn’t a clear picture of racism. It’s a red flag that deserves investigation – not condemnation.
Let’s also not forget that many of our emergency
as one, not a splattering of special interests. We have to begin by embracing our original inhabitants of this land, not with fine words but with genuine joy and brotherhood, as family who have been away but are now back as part of that one, even though there have been many new children since we left them behind. That will be awkward at times, but with open hearts, we can do this. These forgotten members of our family bring so many talents and new perspectives. We are so blessed to be among them.
The shining new leader needs to understand that this does not mean including their opinions as an afterthought. It means accepting their position from the outset. Until the awkwardness of
nurses are Indigenous, Metis, or racialized. Are they being accused of the same bias? If not, what are we really saying here? That only some nurses are racially biased? That systemic racism only appears in some decisions but not others?
It’s messy. It’s complicated, and that’s why we need to be cautious before making blanket statements. If the problem is the triage protocol, then let’s fix that. If the problem is burnout, staffing, or ER volume, then the government needs to address those head-on. But if they’re going to accuse health care professionals of racial bias, they’d better have the evidence – and they should be prepared for the consequences of making that claim.
Right now, it looks like the government rushed to make headlines, and in doing so, they’ve done more harm than good.
This isn’t about denying disparities. It’s about how we address them responsibly.
If the government believes the triage system is producing unequal outcomes, then that should be the focus. But suggesting that frontline staff are allowing bias to shape medical decisions – without clear evidence or consultation – risks undermining public trust in the very people we rely on in emergencies.
Publishing this data without sufficient context or explanation does not move us closer to equity – it fuels confusion and division. It discourages health care workers, many of whom are already stretched thin, and distracts from meaningful reform.
If we want better results, let’s start with a better process. That means engaging nurses and doctors before drawing conclusions about their conduct. It means understanding how triage works in real-time. And it means focusing on system design, not casting blame.
Public confidence in health care depends on accountability – and so does fairness to the professionals on the frontlines. The government owes them both.
Kevin Klein is the publisher of the Winnipeg Sun.
this renewed relationship passes, we need to reach out and try harder. Secondly, we have to get our mojo back. That means speaking up and not quivering in fear about the criticism that will be leveled against us if we disagree with what appears to be popular opinion. Maybe you have something valid to offer, maybe you don’t. We will never know until we hear you. Be bold. Be cheeky, Be Canadian! That doesn’t mean being chippy with “elbows up”! It means being forthright and honest and listening to the responses. It means taking risks, investing and standing behind those choices with courage and resolve. It means being resourceful and creative so that when you meet a roadblock, you figure out how
to get around it, to find a better way. It means not following, but leading. It means that governments are there to serve you, not the other way around. Our forefathers came here and eked a living out of the ground, often with little more than their bear hands. They survived with the help of the first people of this land who taught them how to live here. They brought new ideas and novel technology and together with the first Nations, they forged a new community that was open to all and welcomed newcomers – sometimes with suspicion and the bigotry that often accompanies encounters with people of different cultures, but over tome this was overcome and we melded together in new ways.
Kevin Klein
Paramedics and ambulances at the St. Boniface Hospital. Photo by Chris Procaylo /Winnipeg Sun
Portage MRI should be an automatic
Yes. All the logical objections have been covered
Iwas delighted to read about the new mobile MRI currently serving the Thompson area. All Manitobans deserve access to needed diagnostic medicine, and for far too long, folks in the north have been required to fly south to access it.
This also gives me renewed hope that the current Minister of Health will reconsider the appeal from the community of Portage la Prairie to include an MRI in our new regional healthcare facility. With completion of this new hospital scheduled for 2026, every day we wait to add this service gets more expensive. The time to make modifications to the facility is before any patients are on site.
We have collected thousands of signatures, not just from our community but the surrounding areas as well, petitioning for an MRI in the new hospital. People throughout south-central Manitoba would gladly come to Portage for their scan if it was available. This is important because for the entire time I have been an elected official I have been told that there is not enough need in Portage for an MRI. Yet the Free Press has reported that the northern unit has a wait list of only 662 patients.
been; at some facilities it is up to a 44 or 46 weeks’ wait. For Portage residents, the only MRI in the Southern Health region is at Boundary Trails Health Centre where the wait time is 31 weeks. Imagine your doctor recommends you need an MRI to monitor a condition or help diagnose your pain. Now imagine knowing it will be the new year before you get that scan, and that's if you get on the list today. No Manitoban deserves a wait like that.
Sometimes, the next available appointment is even further away. I spoke with a man from Winnipeg who had a four month wait for an MRI, and he had to go to Dauphin for the scan. He had to drive 314 kilometres each way, and since his appointment was in the morning, he had to pay for a hotel as well as meals.
I hope each and every one of those Northern Manitobans gets their scan as soon as possible, because I hear stories like this every single day. Seniors being assigned appointments hundreds of kilometres away from home. Scans scheduled late at night or very early in the morning. Folks unable to find transportation to and from the MRI appointment they have waited so long to receive.
MRI in Portage; the Portage District General Hospital Foundation has pledged $5 million to bring these scans into our community. According to the health minister there is a lack of qualified people to run the equipment. But we have current staff that want to upgrade their education to learn to provide these scans. BC and Alberta offer online training for MRI techs –there might be an opportunity for Manitoba to train technicians close to home, too. As the saying goes, where there is a will there is a way.
We have the facility, we have the money, and we have the waitlist – there is simply no reason for the government to not include an MRI scanner in the new hospital. If it’s too late to add a permanent structure, then let’s bring in another mobile unit that can rotate between Portage and other communities In the region, improving access for an even broader range of Manitobans. If it's good enough for Northern Manitoba it's good enough for us. Manitobans deserve access to these scans, and anything that will help to tackle that wait list.
We have the way. Where is the will?
Jeff Bereza is the MLA for Portage La Prairie.
I say “only” because according to the government's own data, 27,214 Manitobans were waiting for an MRI as of March. The waitlist is the longest it has ever
Learn to trust it!
Iwalked into the store. In no time two saleswomen approached me. They both made eye contact, were informative, smiled, and were respectful, or so it seemed!
One of the two women had an odd vibe. Something in me was almost repelled by her presence. I didn’t care to interact with her, to put it politely. I turned my attention to the other.
A few years later I understood why.
But I am left asking why the standards are different for the northern and southern areas of the province? Funding can't be the reason for the denial of an
women who had approached me when I was still a customer.
At some point down the road, I happened to be working at that very store and had the chance to get to know well those same two
One of them became my friend. Sara was warm, honest and trustworthy. My other colleague, let’s name her Ruth, was lying, manipulating and using all kinds of tricks to sell.
My gut feeling had been right on that first day, when I met them both as a customer.
When we worked together, I could sense when Ruth was dishonest. Even when I was in the furthest corner of the store, I could feel when she did something wrong.
On those occasions I would go to the counter, take a picture
Editor’s note: Refusing to consider adding an MRI in Portage could be putting lives at risk. I received a letter from a reader this month telling of his wife’s demise due to a delayed medical scan. This is a serious matter that deserves immediate attention and interparty co-operation. Why is the health system refusing to respond? –DD
of the sale slips, and later show them to my manager. The manager knew how to uncover the tricks Ruth was using to steal sales from the rest of us.
Ruth was toxic and nothing but trouble. The only positive thing about her as far as the company was concerned was that she had high sales numbers. She really excelled when it came to the quota. She always not only reached it but took her sales way over the projected numbers. In that sense, she performed well and was making money for herself and the company.
I would observe her manipulative skills almost with fascination. It wasn’t only her colleagues she was manipulative towards, she didn’t even spare the clients. Her sale techniques were appalling!
As the rest of us were consistently reporting to the manager about these incidents, our toxic colleague’s portfolio was rapidly growing.
Until one day. That day Ruth brought a new, elderly client to tears with her rudeness. The scale was tipped, and Ruth was fired.
After she left, the energy in the store, the dynamics of the team, and the clients’ experience drastically improved.
And what about honest Sara, you might ask?
Sara was not only the top saleswoman of the store, but she also effortlessly established great, long-lasting, authentic, trusting relationships with her clients. Her performance was so amazing that often she alone made 75% of all the sales in the store. Sara was our star. She always gave honest advice and clients loved her!
Sara taught me a very valuable lesson! You can trick people with all kinds of sales techniques in the short run, but if you want to build credible business relationships and have solid, long-lasting, and faithful clients, you need to be a decent, honest person. We humans can tell when we are being manipulated! Our gut knows the difference between false and truth.
People’s inner states and their intentions create energy fields around them which are easily detectable by most humans. In business we call it emotional intelligence. That knowing can be easy overpowered by our rationalizing minds.
All I’ll say is, trust your gut!
Zofia Dove is an international keynote speaker, author and producer, host and director of the series “Discover Beauty Everywhere”
Jeff Bereza
Zofia Dove Dove's Discoveries
Watch the transformation of Graham Avenue as the buses leave most of the street
Continued from page 1
Ron Paul will donate canopy sized trees planted in containers which will be removed in the winter. This is an amazing act of generosity by the couple.
For their part, Urban lumber has been working on some bench designs to provide resting places, another amazing act of generosity.
Jeanne Dubois has agreed to plan and supply a garden in an inset of the Holy Trinity property which currently entertains a couple of benches surrounded by dead space. In this space there will also be a small monument celebrating the Indigenous presence.
Stay tuned. There is much more to come, but we want you to be aware of the changes and to encourage you to come downtown and see for yourselves.
In the meantime, the city portion of the plan includes the following, courtesy of Karin Kliewer, project manager for the entire project: Buses leave most of Graham Avenue
By the time you read this item, buses will no longer run along most of Graham Avenue.
The section between Vaughan and Carlton (which currently allows cars) will mostly remain the same. The stretch from Carlton to Garry – currently restricted to buses and bikes – will become a pedestrian-focused area. Between Garry and Main, transit will still operate, but with added features for bikes.
This marks the beginning of a larger vision to turn Graham into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly corridor in the heart of Downtown Winnipeg. Whether you're walking, biking, or enjoying art and greenery – Graham Avenue is becoming a space for everyone.
How to help your lawn beat the summer heat
The intense summer sun can be challenging not just for you but also for your lawn. Maintaining a healthy lawn during summer requires attention and smart practices. This guide offers essential tips to keep your grass healthy even in harsh conditions.
Watering your lawn in the summer:
Smart irrigation practices: Proper watering is crucial for lawn survival. Establishing a regulated watering schedule ensures your grass gets the necessary hydration without wastage. It’s best to water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and reduce the likelihood of disease by shortening the duration of your grass being wet. Aim for about one inch of water per week, which can come from rainfall or an irrigation system.
Simultaneously, it’s important to avoid overwatering. Soil that constantly remains wet can deprive the grassroots of essential oxygen, weakening them and increasing disease susceptibility. Minimize watering at night to deter pests that thrive in damp conditions.
Watering new sod: For newly installed sod, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent disease. Water in the early morning, midday and early afternoon, and reduce watering in shaded areas to prevent fungus growth.
Mowing your lawn during the summer
Cut your lawn at the higher end of the recommended height range for your type of grass to encourage deep root growth and drought resistance. Here’s a quick guide:
• Cool-season grasses: 2.5–3.5 inches.
• Warm-season grasses: 2–3 inches, with certain zoysia and Bermuda grasses possibly lower, around 0.5–2 inches.
Maintain sharp mower blades to prevent grass damage and disease.
Fertilizing your lawn in summer
Choosing the right fertilizer: Avoid fertilizers high in immediately available nitrogen during summer. Such fertilizers can promote weak growth vulnerable to heat stress. Instead, consider a liquid fertilizer that delivers essential nutrients without overwhelming your grass. This product provides a balanced nutrient supply over time, improving soil quality and microbial growth.
Applying topsoil during the summer:
Benefits of Topsoil and Compost: Applying a layer of topsoil or compost helps maintain moisture and improves soil quality. Be cautious not to apply too much, as heavy layers can smother your grass. After application, rake lightly to distribute the topsoil evenly.
By implementing these intelligent watering, mowing, fertilizing and soil management strategies, you can greatly enhance your lawn’s health and ability to withstand the summer heat.
– Courtesy of Sod Solutions
What is changing this summer?
1. Street use and traffic
• June 22-27: Protected bike lanes and a bus lane will be installed between Garry and Main.
• Westbound vehicle traffic will no longer be allowed from Main Street to Fort Street.
• June 29: Buses will be removed from Graham between Vaughan and Garry. Only the two blocks between Garry and Main will continue to have bus traffic.
• Shared lanes for cars and bikes (with parking and loading zones) will remain between Vaughan and Carlton – just like it is today.
• The current bus lane on Vaughan will become a two-way bike lane.
• Graham Avenue will be removed from the designated truck route, and the speed limit will be reduced to 30 km/h between Vaughan and Carlton.
• Cycling will continue to be permitted the full length of Graham between Vaughan Street and Main Street
2. Pedestrians, art, and events
The four-block stretch from Carlton to Garry will become a pedestrian-first zone, featuring:
• Street murals supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative
• New artistic lighting and places to sit
• Art installations
inviting.
• Planters, picnic tables, and ping pong tables
• Custom-built street furniture
• Festival space for events like the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Championship Weekend
Congratulations to all who have participated, this promises to be an exciting new venture for downtown Winnipeg.
66% of Canadian families haven’t discussed their final wishes*
Choosing funeral and cemetery plans can be overwhelming to a grieving spouse. Plan the details now. Together. Order your FREE Estate Planning Kit by calling or visiting the locations listed below.
Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 4477 Main St., West St. Paul, MB 204 - 817- 8621
Desjardins Funeral Home 357 Des Meurons St., Winnipeg, MB 204 - 813 - 6063
*Research conducted by Willful and Arbor Memorial Inc. in a
This inset along Graham avenue will become a flower bed to make the benches more
Surf and turf foil packs are a culinary masterpiece that beautifully blend the land and sea, creating a sensory experience that excites the palate. As you unwrap the foil, a burst of tantalizing aromas escapes, enveloping you in the rich scents of grilled steak and succulent shrimp. The colors of the ingredients – vibrant red peppers, tender asparagus, and the gleaming seafood –create a visual feast that promises indulgence.
Each pack is a harmonious symphony of flavors, showcasing perfectly seasoned steak, grilled to juicy perfection, alongside tender shrimp kissed by the flames. The sizzle as they cook together in their own little environment amplifies the anticipation. Drizzled with a zesty garlic butter sauce, the shrimp glisten invitingly, while the steak boasts a charred crust that speaks to the mastery of the grill.
The beauty of surf and turf foil packs lies not only in their taste but in their simplicity and versatility. They’re effortlessly elegant yet approachable, ideal for a romantic dinner under the stars or a lively gathering with friends. As the foil is peeled back, the steam rises, releasing a fragrant mix of herbs and spices that fills the air with an irresistible allure.
Picture yourself seated around a table, laughter echoing as everyone digs
into their own foil pack. Each bite is a celebration of textures and flavors, the richness of the steak beautifully complementing the sweetness of the shrimp. The vibrant veggies add a refreshing crunch, creating a perfect balance that lingers on your palate.
Surf and turf foil packs are more than just a meal; they’re an experience that invites connection and joy. With every bite, you’re reminded of the beauty of shared moments, the sultry pleasure of good food, and the magic that happens when land and sea come together in perfect harmony.
Here is what you will need:
500 grams ribeye steak, cut into 1" cubes
500 grams large shrimp, cleaned and deveined
2 corn ears, cut into 4 pieces
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes
1 medium red onion sliced generously
2 limes, sliced into wedges, (1 for garnish)
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon thyme
¼ teaspoon cumin seed
Salt & Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly chopped parsley
The all important how to:
Clean and light the barbecue to high. Tear 4 equal sheets of foil about 14” long.
Equally distribute the steak, shrimp, corn, tomatoes, onion, butter, lime, and garlic between each foil pack. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle, fresh thyme, cumin seed, salt and black pepper.
Once the food has been evenly distributed amongst each foil, fold each foil pack crosswise over ensuring all
food is covered. Crease the top and bottom edges to seal completely, we want to keep all the goodness inside. Place the foil packs on to the heated grill and cook, turning over after 8 minutes, then until the shrimp is pink in colour, and the steak is finished to your desired taste.
Serve on plates, keep inside the foil, it can get messy. Garnish with parsley and with lime wedges.
Ian Leatt is a trained chef from across the pond.
Meet Marianne
Rose was Angelo’s second wife, his first wife died soon after having her fifth child in seven years. My half siblings lost both parents young, as our dad died when I was six. We were then “adopted’” by our dad’s younger brother Umberto (Albert) who had just moved to Winnipeg as the union rep for the CBRT&GW (Canadian Brotherhood of Railway, Transport and General Workers).
My mother remained in Toronto, unable to cope with six kids. She became like an aunt and my aunt became like a mom. My new parents, Al and Alma from Newfoundland, wanted the six of us to leave our adverse childhood experiences in Toronto and begin again. They helped transform our lives with new opportunities, ideas and experiences.
as a guidance counselor at Tec Voc High School. I remember the principal saying to me, “We’re looking for someone like you”. Meaning they wanted a track coach who could also track down kids missing class and figure out what to do about it.
I was scrawny and willful. Alma was strict, insisting on early bedtime, limited TV, lots of outside play and good food. My elementary school years included the usual star stickers and scrapes – for example, being called hillbilly when I wore rubber boots to school on a sunny day – until grade 5, when I became the fastest kid in the school, even faster than the boys who had beards by grade 7.
I found respect and feminism in sports, becoming athlete of the year at Chief Peguis Junior High, setting records in track and field, making the Manitoba Games team at 14. Through those years I was also surrounded by political activity in our home. I delivered election leaflets from the time I could reach a mailbox and scrutineered as I could read numbers and draw a line with a ruler.
In high school I enjoyed art, poetry, student forum, and the provincial champion basketball team. At 16, I set a provincial long jump record, 5 meters 77– less than a foot from Olympic standard. My first boyfriend was with me on that winning day but dumped me for a girl in the school play. I learned it’s hard to run fast with a broken heart.
In 1982, I earned a degree in Physical Education at the University of Manitoba, a double majoring in English. I had many jobs at the U of M: fitness instructor, Mini-University, used bookstore, coordinator at the new Max Bell Centre, to work near the track for workouts. Until my least year at U of M in Education I carpooled from North Kildonan to the university and bussed back, growing a lifelong disdain for commuting to the suburbs.
Another bad breakup and clerical error derailed me from a career as a Phys Ed teacher, and set me on a trajectory to politics. For my cross-cultural education correspondence course, the professor was away when I submitted my assignments, marked them late and gave me an F. I got the letter when I was unemployed in Montreal, with bad French, sleeping on a friend’s floor, during a recession. A difficult time. Coming back to Winnipeg I had to move back into my parent’s basement, where I waded through an appeal to get my degree. I learned about slow bureaucracy and to pivot.
I finally got a job at the Volunteer Centre of Winnipeg coordinating a youth year award. That led to three years with Manitoba Youth Services with wonderful mentors, the National Skills Program, Training for Trainers. I learned planning, board development, leadership training and facilitating. I also volunteered for Muriel Smith in the 1986 election and became her constituency president.
When Jim Walding voted against the Howard Pawley budget in 1988, I saw people around me fired, so I jumped ship, landing a big role at 26,
I only worked at Tec Voc High School for two years, but the impact has lasted a lifetime, due to the trauma students experienced from abuse, racism, poverty, divorce, you name it. They taught me how a little care and compassion goes a long way, and that the challenges they faced were not just personal problems but due to social conditions that had political and economic solutions. Those kids cracked me open, and the counselling courses I took also allowed me to peek into my own childhood losses.
Ever since then, I’ve had a sign by my desk from Muriel Smith’s department, with a quote from Ernest Mann: “If the system is making people sick, should we attempt to cure people and place them back in the system or should we change the system?”
In 1989 I helped manage Glen Murray’s election to City Council and led other campaigns. Then, in 1990 Muriel encouraged me to run in Broadway constituency. I lost the nomination by one vote to Conrad Santos but got a call from Bill Blaikie to move to Radisson. The hot summer campaign left me hiding in the shower in the Mahmood home on election night, waiting for the results to come in. I won. I was the youngest woman MLA ever elected in Manitoba. The papers said I was a rising star. But I would learn that in party politics your star can rise and fall very fast. Marianne is an educator and former MLA who works in community development and social innovation.
Editor’s note:
Several years ago, Marianne invited me for coffee. We met and, while we didn’t agree on everything, we agreed on much. I especially liked her forthright and honest approach to life and her willingness to consider all sides of an idea or event. I think we all need to be able to hear every opinion and to discuss them openly. We don’t have to agree, but we need to listen and consider and learn when we can. I am looking forward to hearing more of Marianne’s take on life in her new column. I know you will enjoy it too! –Dorothy
Marianne Cerilli
Dementia
We used to call them feeble-minded, doddering, aged and most of the time, senile. Those are some of what we used to call old people who had “lost their marbles”. These days we use the more precise terms such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Alois Alzheimer first described the disease in 1906. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. They say that after the age of 65, the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every five years. It’s all about exhibiting a loss of cognitive ability such as memory. Simply put, it describes one’s intellectual decline and a reduced aptitude to accurately judge a situation or solve problems.
embrace my reality.
2. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it.
In the past six months or so we have had a family member who has began showing “the signs”. It has been an interesting, albeit sad, learning experience for all of us. A friend of my family recently shared the following to all of us. I am now sharing it with you.
Jim Ingebrigtsen
If I get dementia, I’d like my family, friends and caregivers to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things:
1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to
3. Pease don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you.
4. If I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me.
5. If I can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet, and see if I can still feed myself.
6. If I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded.
7. I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am.
8. I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends.
9. If I get dementia, ask me to tell you a story from my past.
10. If I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me.
11. If I get dementia, treat me the way that you
would want to be treated.
12. Don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room.
13. Don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live.
14. If I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often.
15. Please don’t get frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault.
16. Make sure I always have my favorite music playing within earshot.
17. If I pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original place.
18. Please don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings.
19. Know that I still like receiving hugs, kisses or handshakes.
20. If I get dementia, remember that I am still the person you know and love.
Caring for someone, especially a person you love, with dementia can be very frustrating and confusing at times. Perhaps keeping the above list close at hand would serve as a helpful reminder. Please share it with those you might know who are in a similar situation. Take a trip down Jim’s free musical memory lane podcasts online at Lifestyles55radio.ca
Children’s Hospital surpasses fundraising goal at $112 million We couldn’t have done it without you
It has been another amazing year, thanks to the community of support for the kids who rely on our children’s hospital and benefit from leading-edge work done at our research institute.
We know the medical teams at HSC Children’s Hospital, and investigators at Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) are world-class in their fields and we are so grateful they’re always there for kids and families.
Through the support of donors like you, the Foundation’s Better Futures campaign that started in 2019 – and the largest donordriven child health fundraising campaign in Manitoba’s history – surpassed its $75 million goal! With an additional $25M support from the Manitoba Government last Fall, the campaign closed at $112 million!
Inside HSC Children’s, life-saving tools are now ready for healthcare teams to continue providing the best care possible, including Babyleo incubators, child-sized surgical tools, ultrasound machines, pediatric wheelchairs, and hoyer lifts.
Thanks to the vision of Better Futures co-chairs, Nancy and Kirsten, leading donors like Barb and Gerry Price, the campaign cabinet, the Foundation Board and each and every supporter for committing to giving kids and families better futures.
There is so much to celebrate. This campaign was a transformative initiative and is already making huge impacts in child health care and research in our province and beyond.
Thanks to donor support of Better Futures, the leadingedge research at Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba ensures kids continue to get the best data-driven care, treatments, medications, and more. Through your donations, we continue supporting life-changing pediatric research projects like DREAM (Diabetes Research Envisioned and Accomplished in Manitoba) and ADORE (Autism Database and Outcomes Registry), among many others.
Plus, the thousands of kids receiving treatment and care can use innovative programming that’s both therapeutic and fun! Vital programs like the Therapeutic Gaming and Technology Support Program directly benefit young patients and their families by providing much needed comfort and distraction.
Each year, more than 600 youth are admitted to the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit for acute mental health issues. Thanks to your support, they now have access to indoor and outdoor play spaces while receiving the care they need.
As the first Champion from a remote First Nations community, Janessa became a powerful voice for over 140,000 kids who rely on HSC Children’s Hospital every year. It’s for kids like Janessa that we’re supporting the development of the Indigenous Community Healing Space. This resource is needed for Indigenous patients and their families because it provides a culturally safe place when they’re away from their home communities. Consultations and other meetings took place with First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and other Indigenous community members as well as leaders in our medical community to develop this much needed space for Indigenous kids and their families. Additional fundraising is still needed but demolition of the current space will begin in Fall 2025.
We’re grateful for our Children’s Miracle Network and the generous support from Costco, DQ, Walmart and
many, many others. Along with the Canada’s Children's Hospital Foundations, these partnerships collectively raised over $1.9 million for Manitoba’s only children’s hospital.
Proceeds from thousands of gently used books sold at Children’s Hospital Book Market helps fund innovative programming for kids at HSC Children’s Hospital. The popular events are made possible thanks to more than 300 volunteers working year-round who collect and organize donated books. Last year, the Book Markets raised a combined, page-turning total of $551,273!
The dedicated volunteers of Children’s Hospital Guild of Manitoba continued their great work hosting events and running the Nearly New Shop. On top of this, along with Bell MTS retirees, they sew clothes and costumes for Dr. Goodbear stuffies. We are deeply thankful for their ongoing time and effort in raising $125,000.
Let’s not forget the return of the Teddy Bears’ Picnic! The Manitoba tradition was held on Sept. 8, 2024 and gave kids a chance to learn what happens in a hospital or research setting so they can feel more comfortable getting the care they need when they need it. It was made possible thanks to over 1,000 volunteers who saw people enjoy activities and entertainment with over 1,500 teddy bear patients treated at the Dr. Goodbear Clinic. Thanks to the generous community support, $261,527 was raised!
Let’s make anything possible is our motto and thanks to unwavering support of this community of donors, partners and volunteers – better futures for kids with health conditions are becoming possible. Let’s keep the momentum so we can transform the future of child health for generations to come.
To read the full 2024/25 gratitude report visit goodbear. ca/gratitudereport.
Stefano Grande is the president and CEO of Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.
Retinal tear or ocular migraine: How to tell the difference
Any sudden change in your vision whether it’s blurring, shimmering, or a rush of floaters can be alarming. It’s especially important to know the difference between a retinal tear and an ocular migraine, because while both can affect your sight temporarily, a retinal tear can lead to permanent damage if it’s not treated promptly.
What’s a retinal tear or detachment?
Your retina is the lightsensitive layer at the back of your eye, it converts light into signals for your brain.
eye, and symptoms may include:
• A rush of new floaters
Dr. Romie Dhaliwal
All About Eyes
A retinal tear or detachment occurs when it pulls away from its normal position. It typically starts suddenly in one
• Bright flashes of light
• Loss of side (peripheral) vision – like a veil or curtain appearing in a person's vision”
There’s no pain associated with a retinal detachment, but it’s a vision emergency. Immediate treatment can help avoid permanent damage and poor visual outcomes.
What’s a migraine or ocular migraine?
A migraine is a vascular condition, affecting blood flow in the brain and sometimes the eyes. There are different types of migraine – some come with severe headaches and sensitivities to light, while others, called ocular or retinal mi-
graine, predominantly affect your vision without a headache.
Symptoms of an ocular migraine may include:
• Shimmering or zig-zag patterns
• Blurring or temporary blind spots
• Viewing a “broken glass” or “mirage-like” pattern
• Peripheral sparks or flashes – a temporary phenomenon due to reduced blood flow to the retina
These symptoms typically resolve on their own within minutes to an hour and do not cause permanent damage.
How To Tell The Difference
Retinal tear:
• Happens suddenly in one eye
• Presence of numerous new floaters, persistent flashes, or a dark “curtain” descending
• Requires urgent medical help immediately
Ocular migraine:
• Develops more slowly
• May affect both eyes
• Shows shimmering or zig-zag patterns, temporary blind spots
• Resolving typically within an hour and without permanent damage
See your eye doctor right away
Any abrupt change in your vision should be treated as a vision emergency. An optometrist can perform a dilated eye exam and take retinal photos to determine exactly what’s going on and provide an immediate referral so you may receive appropriate treatment promptly. Comprehensive eye care
To check the health of your retina and stay vigilant against future issues, schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Your doctor can help you maintain healthy eyes and respond quickly if something develops.
Dr. Romie Dhaliwal, B. SC., O.D. is the owner and optometrist at Academy Optical.
Stefano Grande Healthy Living
How can I say that in English?
Continued from page 1
The tourism survey was trying to determine the activities and recreational opportunities tourists were most looking forward to in upcoming vacations. The number one response was to have time to hurkle-durkle. Just the sound of this conjures opportunities for fun and enjoyment, but I was not too clear on what exactly this entailed. I looked up the definition of hurkle-durkle, and it is a Scottish term describing the act of lingering in bed in the morning and lounging around when you should probably get up and do something productive. It is the exact opposite of the rushed mornings most of us have during the work week. So, to improve your summer experience, I will encourage you to take opportunities to hurkle-durkle. This is apparently a lovely leisure time activity with no long-term dangers. It is unlike the darker related activity of bed rotting, which is a
Trudy Schroeder Random Notes
potentially very negative condition of really, never having the energy and will to leave your bed. I also love the Dutch tradition of looking for social events with compatible friends and family members in a cozy environment, often including food and beverages. This lovely positive state is known as the heart of Dutch culture, and it does not have an exact English translation. In Dutch this blissful state is known as Gezellig, and people are so pleased to describe an event, evening, or time with friends as gezellig. Even though it can’t be exactly translated, it is a state of being that is worth pursuing this summer.
Another Dutch term that I find quite appealing is the term “Koekentroost” which has been described as the emotional support cookie you eat after a mildly inconvenient or frustrating day. I asked my daughter who lives in Am-
sterdam whether she had heard this term in use, and she disappointed me by letting me know that she does not think that this is an actual Dutch word. Well, if Koekentroost is not a Dutch word, it should be invented. The emotional support cookie is definitely a thing that would gain popularity worldwide. I think in English it may be called afternoon tea.
I guess my recent trip to Amsterdam has inspired me with the Dutch approach to creating a lovely comforting environment, but I recently checked in with some Canadian young people, and they suggested that another good term to utilize for an excellent summer experience is “to chill”. As opposed to the frequent chilling experience we can have in Canada during the winter, the term “to chill” appears to mean relax, kick back, and enjoy your life. It is not cold water health therapy, it is to be very relaxed and easy-going.
Trudy Schroeder provides project planning and management services to the community through Arts and Heritage Solutions.
Cantor’s Quality Meats and Groceries still prospering after 84 years
An example of true free enterprise being good for lower prices and better quality
The corner grocery store has always been a staple of the neighbourhood. It was for many immigrants and the children of immigrants the first step toward gaining on the ladder of success, in a society that was not often welcoming to newcomers.
My father, and his father before him, operated general stores in different communities in rural Saskatchewan in the first half of the last century. After his father’s passing, our family moved to Winnipeg in the mid-1950s, and my father went into business with his father-in-law in running a corner store in St. Boniface.
This was before supermarkets, credit cards and debit. Most business was local, and most customers brought on credit –- running up monthly bills and paying them down a little once a month. Today, you will still find newcomers operating corner grocery stores. But where the grocers used to be largely Jewish or Ukrainian, today, they are from the Middle East, India or southeast Asia. The one great exception is Cantor’s Quality Meats and Groceries at the corner of Logan and Gallagher in the Weston area. Not only is the 84-year-old corner store still being run by a member of the Cantor Family, but its business is also continuing to thrive and grow.
at the corner of Logan and McPhillips, closed four years ago.
The Cantor story began with the arrival in Winnipeg of immigrants Edward and Sarah Cantor and their young family in the late 1920s. Soon after, Edward Cantor began selling small items from his home like buttons and thread to farmers near Winnipeg. In 1939, he founded his grocery store on Magnus Avenue, close to the Salter Bridge. He was joined in business by sons, twin brothers Joe and Oscar. While Joe joined the navy when war broke out, Oscar helped run the store. In 1943, Cantor’s relocated to Dufferin and Salter and then, a year later, to its current location. After the senior Edward’s passing in 1943, the brothers, Joe having returned from the navy, took charge
While Oscar focused on the meat department, it was Joe who became the public face and voice of Cantor’s. For almost seven decades, Joe’s smiling face and outgoing personality greeted the customers. Joe also became known citywide as an advocate for lower pricing on the basics. In the 1990s, he waged a successful public battle with the Manitoba Milk Marketing Board which objected to Cantor’s efforts to sell milk at a reduced price.
worked long hours – from 8:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M., seven days a week, before deciding to remain closed on Sundays and holidays so that they could spend more time with the family.
Cantor’s has always delivered citywide. About 25 years ago, Joe arranged to begin shipping bulk meat to a location in Thompson, Man., after learning that many people from that area were travelling to Winnipeg to shop at his store.
“Dad was always looking for ways to grow the business,” Ed says
Joe was still involved full time in the business when he died suddenly in 2013 at the age of 88. Oscar passed away two years later.
Ed began working in the store in the early 1990s. “We have kept adding on to our store as sales grew,” he notes. “In 2009, we built our current 13,500 square foot store on what was our parking lot and put a parking lot where our original store was.”
In 2017, Ed found another way to expand his business. “Sobey’s was planning to open three new Freshco stores in Winnipeg (at McPhillips and Jefferson, Regent and St. Anne’s and Fermor. They invited us to supply, staff and operate the meat departments in the new locations,” he reports.
Today, Cantor’s has a staff at 28 at the Weston store and 20 more working at the Freshco locations.
“Our focus is on providing great customer service,” says Edward Cantor, the third-generation owner. “To many generations of people in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas, Cantor’s is associated with quality.”
It also helps that Cantor’s has no competition in the lower income neighbourhood. The closest competitor, Ed Cantor notes, a Giant Tiger store several blocks away
He also fought for lower bread prices.
"My dad always believed in selling milk and bread below cost because it is basic food," Ed says.
Joe further jousted with the Freshwater Fish Marketing Board because he wanted to sell fish he purchased directly from the fishers.
At the beginning, Ed recalls, his father and uncle
10 Neat Things about blue jays
1. Jays are not really blue, you know. They look blue. You’d swear they are blue, a very striking, and intense blue kind of blue. But they are not. In fact, their pigment like that of many birds is brown or white. What the eye sees, however, is the light refracted off their feathers in a way that creates the illusion of blue. Well, the sky isn’t blue either. And for the same reason.
2. The wicked, wicked ways of blue jays. Blue jays have been tarred with a dirty brush for many years, accused of robbing other nests, of murdering and eating baby birds, of hogging the feeder. Jays do rob the occasional nest as do many other birds, but only 1 per cent of their diet consists of their fellow birds. They eat seeds and acorns, mostly, but about a quarter of their diet consists of insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars and beetles. They can also carry a lot of food at one time, stuffing two to three acorns in a pouch in their esophagus, one in their mouth and one more in their bill: up to five at one time. They have been seen to stash away as many as 3,000 to 5,000 acorns in a single season.
3. Does wicked go with smart? Blue jays are pretty canny birds. Like their cousins the crows and magpies, they
have great curiosities.
4. Feed me, Darling, and I will be your love. Blue jays exhibit interesting courtship behavior. While she is incubating the eggs, he will sometimes feed her on the nest, but often they will fly to a nearby tree, where she will assume the begging position of a juvenile and he will feed her. It must be a bonding thing, because they are monogamous and mate for life. They talk while courting, making a dove-like Kloo-kloo-kloo sound as the hop from branch to branch.
5. He’s a homebody. Male blue jays build the nest, taking not just found sticks, but living wood from small trees, often struggling to break off a particularly desirable twig. Frequently, he adds a final decorative and perhaps romantic touch of something white to the outside of the nest. He might as well make it homey: he and she live together for a long time, blue jays in captivity have been known to live as long as 26 years and even in the wild they often survive as long as 17 years, although the average life span is seven years. Maybe it’s because they are very selective about their food, choosing only acorns that have no fungus or insects or other infections. They stay with their young for as long as two months
“We have a steady clientele, and I intend to keep cantor’s going as long as I can,” Ed vows.
He says that he hopes to be around for Cantor’s 100TH anniversary – by which time he will be in his mid-80s.
It is pretty certain though that he will be the last of his family in the business. He has two children but, he notes, at this point, they are pursuing different career paths.
6. What’s that you say? Blue jays are known for their loud, rasping calls, but they are also capable of great nuance. They burble and murmur among themselves and with their young. They can mimic predators, such as hawks, and often they use these calls to scatter fellow freeloaders from domestic feeders, lending weight to their reputation for greed. However, they may just be sending warnings of approaching predators. They can use their voices in a special call to stimulate “mobbing” the ganging up of a bunch of jays perhaps against an owl which might be taking up residence near a blue jay nest. They can also imitate cats.
7. Provincial bird. Some Canadians appreciate blue jays more than others. The blue jay is the provincial bird of Prince Edward Island.
8. Good birdie. Kind birdie. Very much maligned birdie. A blogger observed the following interaction between a blue jay and a woodpecker. The woodpecker, probably a fledgling, was having a hard time approaching a busy feeder and a cat dish that attracted many birds. Then along came a blue jay, which made a crow-like call and flew onto the feeder. Here is the rest of the tale in her own words:
“Almost immediately, the woodpecker flew down from the branches of the tree and landed directly beside the blue jay. Both of the birds looked around for a moment more, then the blue jay flew to the railing of the deck, still looking about. The woodpecker flew to the cat dish for the first time; it ate a few pieces of cat food, while the blue jay kept watch. When the woodpecker was done eating, both of the birds flew away together.
Since that first time, I have witnessed the same thing happen over and over. Always the blue jay comes first, looks for danger, calls to the woodpecker, who appears immediately, and then keeps a look-out while the woodpecker gets something to eat. Then they fly away together!”
9. Anting. Blue jays have been seen sitting on top of an anthill and dust their wings with ants. Blue jays are said do this to remove the formic acid from the ant's acid sac (before eating the ant) and using the acid to rid themselves of insects, mites, fungus and bacteria.
10. Slow flyers. Blue jays are slow flyers averaging only 32 to 40 km/h, leaving them very vulnerable to their own predators. Occasionally about 20 per cent of them fly south for the winter – not all, and not every year.
Myron Love
Arena at Whitehall and Colony closes 70 years ago
“The Amph, its day is over.” June 1, 1955 the Winnipeg Free Press
On April 1,1909, there was a tender for construction of an Amphitheatre for the Winnipeg Horse Show published in the Winnipeg Tribune. The Amph was quickly constructed. On August 4, 1909, there was a ball for locomotive firemen and engineers. The Winnipeg Horse Show was held August 25 to 27. The Amph soon became a Winnipeg meeting place with an emphasis on hockey.
The Amph hosted all or part of 13 Memorial Cups and several Allan Cups. Hockey greats Dick Irwin, Charlie Gardiner, Fred Shero, Billy Mosienko, Johnny McCreedy, Turk Broda, Terry Sawchuk, Ab McDonald are just a few of the Manitoba Hockey legends who played in the Amph.
whistled the play dead at the end of a period. The onice officials did not hear the bell so play continued after the period ended. It is unlikely that this goal would have counted with today's technology. The time was 20:01. The Monarchs went onto a 4 to 1 victory.
From the desk of a gadfly
In the fall of 1919, the Winnipeg Falcons, a Senior Hockey Team made up almost entirely of members of First Lutheran Church had trouble securing ice time at the Amph. However, Fred Thordarson, a Falcons executive, led the way in resolving the issue. The Falcons advanced to the Allan Cup Final in Toronto by defeating Fort William 16 to 3 at the Amph in a two game, total goal series. The second game was attended by 4,500 fans. The Falcons defeated the University of Toronto to win the Allan Cup. After winning the Allan Cup, the Falcons became the first Canadian Team to win a Hockey Olympic Gold Medal at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.
On February 12, 1927, Daisy Boyd, St. James Collegiate's first Governor General Medal recipient, scored three goals in a U of M Women's hockey team 8 to 1 win over Saskatchewan before 1,500 Amph fans.
During the 1930s Depression, the Amph hosted a couple of memorable Memorial Cups between the Winnipeg Monarchs and Sudbury Cub Wolfs. In 1932, The Monarchs included Bryan Hextall and future Winnipeg Fire Chief Cam Shewan. Sudbury won the hardfought series best of 3 series 2 to 1. Sudbury's Hector (Toe) Blake was the star of the series, playing 100 out of the 130 minutes in the last two games. After the series, Hector won 11 Stanley Cups in 36 years as player and head coach of various Montreal NHL teams.
In 1935, the Monarchs got revenge, defeating Sudbury two games to one. Monarch Defenseman Ken Barker was involved in two of the strangest moments in Memorial Cup history. Near the end of the game two loss, Barker and Goalie Paul Gauthier had to face Sudbury by themselves. The rule that a team had to have four players on the ice did not yet exist. In the deciding game three Barker opened the scoring at with a buzzer beater after the end of the first period. In those days, the timekeeper rang a bell, and the on-ice officials
In 1949, the Amph and Brandon's Wheat City Arena co-hosted the Memorial Cup Final between the Montreal Royals and Brandon Wheat Kings. On May 16, CBC with the legendary Foster Hewitt behind the mike, broadcast the deciding game of the Final from the Amph. Due to a game three tie, the best of seven series actually lasted eight games. Montreal won the game 6 to 4. Montreal was led by Dickie Moore. The Wheat Kings roster included Joe Crozier, Bob Chrystal, and Reg Abbott. In those days, May 16 was considered to be very late for a hockey game.
The Spring of 1951 was a weird one. On Saturday April 30, the Amph hosted another eighth game and deciding game in the Western Memorial Final between the Monarchs and Regina Pats. Ross Parke of the Monarchs got a hat trick to lead the Monarchs to an 8 to 4 victory. On May 7, hundreds of people were lined up unable to get into the arena for game four of the Barrie Flyers vs the Monarchs Memorial Cup Final. An ammonia leak was detected less than two hours before the 8:30 PM faceoff. In a statement by Arena Manager Johnny Peterson, Winnipeg Fire Chief David Clawson and Canadian Hockey Official Jimmy Dunn announced the decision to postpone the game. The game was played the following night. Barrie completed a four game sweep of the Monarchs.
Curling and undefeated Manitoba teams
Prior to 1980, the Canadian Men's Curling Championship (the Brier) only had playoffs in the event of ties at the top of the Round Robin. In 1940, the Amp hosted the first Brier to be held outside of Toronto. The Manitoba rink of Howard Wood Sr, Howard Wood Jr, Ernie Pollard, and Roy Enman walked a short city block from Winnipeg's Granite Curling Club to the Amph to win the Brier with a nine and zero record. In 1952 Bill Walsh, Al Langlois, Andy McWilliams, and John Watson of the Fort Rouge Curling Club won the last Brier hosted by the Amph with a ten and zero record.
Figure Skating
During a search of the 1940s Amph newspaper archive, I found several references to figure skating classes and figure skating events organized by Rupert Whitehead. Mr. Whitehead was the 1932 Canadian Junior Men's Figure Skating champion. Rupert lived to be 100 and never gave up skating. Rupert skated on his 100th birthday.
A Few Firsts
On February 22, 1923, Free Press radio station
CJCG broadcast the hockey game between the Winnipeg Falcons and Port Arthur Bearcats. The game was the first hockey game in Canada to be broadcast in its entirety. The Falcons won 4 to 1 in front 5,000 fans.
On October 12, 1927, Robert Borden, John Diefenbaker, and Hugh John McDonald all attended the first National Conservative Leadership. Prior to this Convention, leaders had been selected by caucus. Former Prime Minister Arthur Meighen, who had once briefly lived in downtown Winnipeg, gave a very controversial speech about foreign affairs. Ontario Premier Howard Ferguson heckled the speech and then took the podium to critique Mr. Meighen's speech. R. B. Bennett won the Leadership and went on to be Prime Minister between 1930 and 1935.
On October 11, 1943, the New York Rangers opened training camp at the Amph. A shy, homesick 15-yearold young man from Floral Saskatchewan took part in his first NHL practice. The young man never signed with the Rangers. However, Gordie Howe eventually signed with the Detroit Red Wings and became a super star in a career that spanned six decades.
1955
The final few months of the Amph proved that the building was more than a hockey arena. On April 13, Murray Couch of the Winnipeg Monarchs scored the last Amph goal. However, Regina won the game 2 to 1 and the Monarch’s quest for the Memorial Cup ended. In early May, the Shrine Circus, featuring Jack Joyce's four camels, made its final Amph appearance. May 25, 1955, Alex Turk's wrestling and boxing cards was the final sporting event held at the Amph. On May 28, 1955. 576 Brownies and Girl Guides formed a human maple leaf on the Amp floor during their Greater Winnipeg rally. On May 31, a ceremony of the Eastern Star was the final Amph event.
When the Amph closed, I was only 4 years old. Although I likely visited the Amph, I cannot remember setting foot in it.
Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.
It’s summertime – ‘Lepto’ could be lying in wait for your dog!
Leptospira bacteria run free in summer, carried by squirrels, raccoons and other wildlife. Dogs can pick them up by contaminated water, or through a break in the skin.
As summer approaches, dogs and their owners look forward to spending time outdoors exploring the neighborhood, visiting parks and campgrounds and traveling to various vacation spots. All this outdoor activity, while fun and healthful, leads to a greater susceptibility to many bacterial and viral infections.
Canine leptospirosis, lepto for short, is a bacterial infection having over 20 different strains. Eight of these are harmful to dogs, people and some other animals and are capable of producing varying degrees of illness.
Obtained from wild life
Leptospira bacteria are carried by wildlife such as squirrels, raccoons, skunks and rats. These infected animals shed the bacteria in their urine; domestic pets can become infected by sniffing this urine or by drinking contaminated water. Dogs can also pick up the bacteria through a cut or break in the skin. The bacteria are most common in warm, humid weather when there are plenty of puddles and run-off water.
Although these bacteria have been around since ancient times, the number of leptospirosis cases is increasing, not only because we have better diag-
nostic techniques but also because our pets come into closer contact with wildlife as we encroach upon their natural habitats.
Once Leptospira bacteria enter the body, they spread to many types of tissues. Dogs with healthy immune systems may successfully battle the infection. They might manifest only mild symptoms such as a slight fever, decreased appetite and diarrhea, or show no symptoms at all. However, the bacteria remain in the kidneys for some time and can be released in the urine for many months. Thus, even if a pet does not appear ill it may still inadvertently infect other animals.
If the bacteria aggressively multiply, damage to health can be severe. The three main forms of the disease are renal failure caused by infection in the kidneys, jaundice caused by infection in the liver and hemorrhaging caused by infection in the blood. While all three forms are treatable and curable they are also potentially fatal if left untreated. Since fever, loss of appetite, lethargy can be signs of any number of ailments, if these conditions persist for more than a couple of days, you should promptly take your dog for a check-up. Diagnosis is usually made by taking a urine sample to confirm the presence of the bacteria or taking a blood sample to find increased levels of antibodies to Leptospira. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection and usually urine samples are taken until the
bacteria are completely flushed from the kidneys. You can reduce the risk of infection by controlling the rodent population around your home, keeping your pet away from ponds, slow moving or stagnant water and, of course, maintaining your dog’s health. However, if your healthy dog suddenly seems less healthy, you should keep a watchful eye. Since lepto is a totally treatable bacterial infection, if diagnosed early dogs need not suffer unnecessarily nor have any permanent damage. Vaccine falls short
Although a vaccine for leptospirosis is available, there is some controversy over its use and effectiveness. Firstly, it protects against only a few of the various strains of Leptospira bacteria; secondly, it doesn’t offer long-lasting immunity; and lastly, it has the highest adverse reaction of any canine vaccine. We do not live in an endemic area for this disease so the chances of your dog being infected are not great. However, the chances increase if your dog spends much time in rural areas, loves swimming in questionable water sources and travels to warm, humid climates.
Summer is a time when dogs should be happily playing in the great outdoors. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to be alert for signs of illness since greater exposure allows for greater chances of infection from the many pathogens that lie in wait.
Fred Morris
The Amphitheatre. Photo by L. B. Locke.
Sri Lankan seniors
Most Venerable Tirikunamale Ananda Maha Thera: Visit to Winnipeg May 23, 24 and 25, 2025
Mahanayaka Thera: Arrived in Winnipeg
Most Venerable Tirikunamale Ananda Maha Thera, the Maha na yaka Thera or Prelate of the Amarapura Sri Dhammarakshita Maha nika ya and Chief Abbot of Siri Vajira ra maya, Colombo was invited for West End Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre, Mississauga as an Honorary Invitee for the inaugural ceremony of New Stupa on May 31, 2025. This initiative was taken by Bhante Saranapala, one of Mahanayaka Thera’s contemporaries of Maharagama Dharmayathanaya (Bhikkhu Education Centre, Sri Lanka).
When I came to know of Mahanayaka Thera’s visit to Canada, I kindly requested that Bhante Saranapala to release him for two nights during a weekend. Bhante Saranapala discussed with Most Ven. Dhammawasa Maha Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Temple, and the devotees and obliged to release Mahanayaka Thera for two nights (the weekend of May 23, 24 and 25, 2025) for the benefit of Winnipeg devotees.
This is not the first time Bhante Saranapala released Mahanayaka Thera for us. On June 22 to 26, 2017 was also we managed to accommodate Mahanayaka Thera in Winnipeg. It is my obligation to share the merits with them.
I wore my national dress to receive Mahanayaka Thera at the Winnipeg airport as he is a National Asset of Sri Lanka.
Mahanayaka Thera:
Accommodation in Winnipeg Mahanayaka Thera’s accommodation was arranged in consultation with Ven. Balangoda Sugathasiri Thera, the Chief Incumbent at Manitoba Buddhist Vihara and Cultural Association (MBVCA) or Manitoba Buddhist Vihara, Cadboro.
We dropped Mahanayaka Thera at MBVCA. Mahanayaka Thera paid his utmost respect to the Buddha Statue of the Temple. Three Resident Monks namely Ven. Balangoda Sugathasiri Thera, Ven. Gampaha Rathana Thera and Ven. Balangoda Ariyanana conduced their formal acknowledgement to Mahanayaka Thera.
Lunch: Sujeewa and Chandima’s Family May 23, 2025 we held our monthly scheduled lunch, offered by Sujeewa, Chandima, Chandima’s father and two sons also joined to serve alms.
It is happy to note that we managed to drop Mahanayaka Thera on time to Manitoba Buddhist Vihara to have his lunch.
Breakfast Invitation: By Suranga and Rowanthi at their home
Suranga and Rowanthi invited Mahanayaka Thera and three Resident Monks for breakfast at our home on May 24, 2025. They invited Ranmini (Yosha) as well. Nishanthi and Aruna generously offered to prepare breakfast for this Alams Giving. Our next-door neighbor Rajindra and Nilu offered Indian breakfast as well.
Dhamma sermon conducted by Mahanayaka Thera: Manitoba Buddhist Vihara
Most Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda Mahanayaka conducted Dhamma Sermon on May 23, 2025, at 7.00 p.m. at Manitoba Buddhist Vihara and Cultural Association (MBVCA) or Manitoba Buddhist Vihara at 88, Cadboro Road, Winnipeg. Details are noted as follows:
(1) Ven. Balangoda Sugathasiri Thera, Chief Incumbent, MBVCA introduced Mahanayaka Thera to the devotees
(2) Dhamma Sermon was on Face Book Live. Organized by MBVCA
(2.1) Chandani shared the above on my FB dated May 23,2025 - Please listen (3) Nilanka Gunathilaka invited Mahanayaka Thera to deliver the Dhamma Sermon (4) Offered merits to Inuka Gunathilaka on his 2nd death anniversary. Organized by his parents Nilanka and Nishantha Gunathilaka (5) Vishaka Girls School, Colombo, Old Girls’ Association (OGA) in Winnipeg offered merits to Jeramias Dias 108th Founders Day
(6) Offered merits to Wijaya de Mel, Senaka’s brother-in-law. Passed away on May 17th (SAT) 2025, in Sri Lanka
(7) M.C./Compering was done by Kasun Wijayatarne
(8) Refreshments offered by Nilanka and Nishantha Gunathilaka
The Leaf: In Assiniboine Park
In Winnipeg, one of the best attractions is Assiniboine Park. Within this Park there are many admirable locations such as the English Gardena, Nature Playground and Park Zoo. We selected The Leaf with 30 acres of gardens and greenspace. Excellent section of The Leaf is within the fully covered area four clear biomes display namely (1) Tropical Biome (2) Mediterranean Biome (3) Art of Horticulture and Butterfly Garden.
Plants in Tropical and Mediterranean are common within the climate zones in Sri Lanka. My son-in-law Suranga used his App and identified these plants. During Mahanayake Thera’s small age southern Sri Lanka and Eastern Province village based on his environmental knowledge and travel experiences within the island, he identified the plants and indicated its colloquial name. He enjoyed the diverse art of horticulture and behavioral pattern of butterflies.
Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery
Winnipeg: Mahanayaka Thera’s Visit Namo Buddhaya!
When we prepared the itinerary for Mahanayaka Thera’s visit to Winnipeg, it was scheduled on May 23, 2025, at 3.00 pm to Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery. Due to an unavoidable reason had to postpone it to May 24 afternoon. When I expressed our difficulties to Amitha Samadhi Swaminwahanse, he kindly obliged with us on our sincere request and changed it to May 24 at 1.00 pm.
Chanadani, Suranga (our son-in-law) and I accompanied Mahanayaka Thera at the above time. Two Swaminwahanses attended for the meeting namely Amitha Samadhi and Padaviye Sasanadheera Swaminwahansela. Amitha Samadhi Swaminwahanse said that I always accompanied Winnipeg visiting Monks to this Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery.
Manitoba Buddhist Vihara
Other than accommodation Ven. Sugathasiri Thera requested a time allocation for Resident Three Monks to accompany Mahanayaka Thera for an outing.
Based on the above request just after visit to The Leaf we dropped Mahanayaka Thera during early afternoon at MBVCA on May 24, 2025.
Please refer following events with Mahanayaka Thera
(1) Three Resident Monks conducted a walk along a Forest Trail
(2) Met Board of Trustees of MBVCA
(3) Udaya Annakkage met Mahanayaka Thera Mahanayaka Thera: Communicated with the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Ottawa On May 25, 2025, when Mahanayake Thera visited our home for the Meet and Greet meeting. I thought to organize a telephone convention with His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Jauhar, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canada in Ottawa.
Instantly, I called him over his personal Mobile Phone to arrange this meeting. I never thought that he would answer as it was a weekend (Sunday). But His Excellency answered my phone call. Further, I told him that I want to send Mahanayaka Thera’s background information before starting the proposed telephone conversation. For that, His Excellency sent his personal email account and asked me to make a call after fifteen minutes.
I am humbly thankful to Mr. Mohammed Jauhar for obliging with me to conduct more than ten minutes cordial conversation with Mahanayaka Thera over the telephone
Mahanayaka Thera: Participated Meet and Greet Meeting
The above meeting was organized for May 25th (SUN) 2025 from 9.30 to 10.30 am at our home 113 Stan Bailie Drive. Mahanayaka Thera joined face to face conversation with non-Buddhists and non-Sri Lankan community leaders within the City of Winnipeg that I associated closely more onedecade.
The List of Attendees
(1) Milly Malavsky: Minister (Retired): Trinity Unted Church (17 years). The Governor General of Canada Awarded: Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
(2) David Pankratz: Member of the Legislative Assembly for Waverley, Special Envoy for Military Affairs and Deputy House Leader
(3)Janice Lukes: Deputy Mayor, City of Winnipeg City Councillor, Waverley West Ward Chair, Standing Policy Committee, Public Works. Chair, Performance Management Review Committee
(4) Ray Dirks: Director, Mennonite Heritage Centre since 1998 (Retired)’Artist, Curator, Writer Photographer
(5) Bud Ultich: Columnist, Senior Scope Newspaper. Representative of Kelly Goodman, Publisher, Senior Scope Newspaper (6) Lionel Steiman, Professor of History (Retired), University of Manitoba (6.1) Bonnie: Wife
(7) Our granddaughter made chocolate chip banana muffins to serve Tim Hortons coffee as invites’ refreshments
Homemade lunch at Home:
On May 25, 2025
Before leaving for the airport Suranga my sonin-law prepared homemade Biryani Dish for Mahanayaka Thera for lunch
Mahanayaka Thera: Visited Home Library
Before leaving Winnipeg Mahanayaka Thera requested to see my home library. I invited him with Chandani. He was amazed to see the seven generation family tree. Book collection of late Most Ven. Palane Vajiragnana Thera and late Most Ven. Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thera and late Most Ven. Ampitiye Rahula Maha Thera. Wedding photo of my maternal grandmother (26-6-1887 to 20-7-1962) with the person who designed the Buddhist Flag Carolis Pujitha Gunawardana. Mahanayaka Thera scanned a few images of some book covers, family history chart and some framed photos
End of a Long-Waited Visit
Some devotees unable to meet Mahanayaka Thera rushed to the airport. Mahanayaka Thera went back to Toronto after a short visit to Winnipeg.
On May 23, 2025, when we went to welcome Mahanayaka Thera at Winnipeg airport, tears of joy poured down from our eyes. On May 25th (SUN) 2025 we said goodbye to Mahanaayke Thera with eyes full of sorrow tears. These two incidents taught us a deep Buddhist philosophy “Pali: Anicca” (impermanence).
Senaka Samarasinghe
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
Manitoba Association of Senior Communities
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
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 archwood55plus.wildapricot.org/ Bleak House Centre 1637 Main Street / 204-338-4723 bleakhousecentre@gmail.com www.bleakhousecentre.com
Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Avenue W 204-632-8367 / bpscc@mymts.net
Centro Caboto Centre 1055 Wilkes Avenue / 204-487-4597 ext. 1 executivedirector@cabotocentre.com www.cabotocentre.com
Charleswood Active Living Centre
A 357 Oakdale Drive / 204-897-5263 info@charleswoodseniorcentre.org www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org
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 seniorresources@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 chalmersrenewal.org
Fort Garry Seniors Resource Council 200 - 270 Donald Street / 204-792-1913 fortgarry@aosupportservices.ca www.aosupportservices.ca/resources/seniorsresource-finders
Garden City Community Centre Seniors 55+ 725 Kingsbury Avenue / 204-940-6111 facilities@gardencitycc.com www.gardencitycc.com/seniors
Golden Rule Seniors Resource Centre 625 Osborne Street / 204-306-1114 goldenrule@swsrc.ca facebook.com/goldenruleseniors
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
Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association 204-291-7798 / wcsa.wpg@hotmail.com www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca
Y.A.H. Seniors Club
Windsor Community Centre, 99 Springside Dr. 204-233-0648 / yah@windsorcc.ca
BEYOND WINNIPEG
BEAUSEJOUR
Beau-Head Senior Centre 645 Park Avenue 204-268-2444 / beauhead@mymts.net
BINSCARTH / RUSSELL
Senior Services of Banner County 204-532-2391 seniorservicesofbannercounty@gmail.com
BOISSEVAIN
Seniors’ Services of the Turtle Mountain Area seniorservicetm@gmail.com / 204-534-6816
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
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 / gpseniors.ca
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 415 Broadway / 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 src@seineriverservicesforseniors.ca 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
NOTRE DAME DE LOURDES Club D’age Dor Notre Dame ndslchezsoi@gmail.com / 204-248-7291
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
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
SOUTH JUNCTION Piney Regional Senior Services 204-437-2604 / lgdseniors@gmail.com
ST. LAURENT Age Friendly Committee of St. Laurent 204-906-9607
STARBUCK
MacDonald Services to Seniors 204-735-3052 / info@mcdonaldseniors.ca www.macdonaldseniors.ca
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 www.ebseniorscene.ca
East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road / 204-756-6471 ebresourcec@gmail.com ebresourcec.weebly.com
VIRDEN
Seniors Access to Independent Living 204-851-2761 / sail.cao.2023@gmail.com
WINKLER Winkler & District MP Senior Centre 102-650 South Railway Avenue 204-325-8964 director@winklerseniorcentre.com www.winklerseniorcentre.com
“Dr. Tree”, Mike Allen, leaves the forest
Mike Allen was part of the “first wave” of professional urban foresters in Canada. He passed away on June 8th in Kelowna, B.C. at the age of 79. Born in England, he came to Canada with his family at an early age, graduating from high school in Scarborough, ON. He received a B.Sc. Forestry from the University of Toronto in 1970 and then worked for two years in Nigeria, teaching about sustainable tree practices and directing reforestation efforts there. He received his Master’s in Forestry in 1975 and was a part of the Shade Tree Laboratory; established by the grandfather of urban forestry - U of T forestry professor Erik Jorgensen in 1962. Jorgensen oversaw Mike’s Master’s thesis which used sociological principles to study the effect of trees on property values in the Beaches area of Toronto – a concept very much ahead of its time.
While at U of T, Mike met his wife, Susan, who was a sociology student at the time. He married her in 1973 and they were lifelong partners for 52 years.
Upon graduation he worked for Ecoplans Ltd. In Kitchener, ON and for Centre Gas in Edmonton, AB. Mike eventually was recruited to be the City of Winnipeg’s urban forester
by John Hreno in 1988. He stayed in that position until 2001, building an urban forestry program that is known as one of the best in Canada for its successes in maintaining canopy cover in a city that was a natural prairie.
He instinctively understood the crucial role that city council played in maintaining canopy cover. He was fearless in contacting the media to seek their support to preserve Winnipeg’s trees. Indeed, when media “gag orders” were issued by municipal managers, Mike was often an exception – his natural media skills being that good. He was a regular columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press, on Dorothy Dobbie’s gardening show on CJOB and in the Canadian Gardener magazine.
One of his proudest career achievements was his steadfast refusal to a request by the actor Brad Pitt to cut the trees in the Exchange District for the 1994 film, “Legends of the Fall”, filmed in Winnipeg because of its resemblance to midwestern American
cities of another era.
He understood the power of citizen support and cultivated relationships with the Coalition to Save the Elms, a group of concerned citizens who came together in 1992 to preserve North America’s largest remaining urban elm forest from the devastation of Dutch Elm Disease. The Coalition developed into Trees Winnipeg in which he maintained close relationships with Gerry Engel, Matt Vinet and Richard Westwood among others. Martha Barwinsky, herself once the Director of the Coalition, learned much from Mike, eventually becoming the city’s urban forester.
In 2001, after leaving the City of Winnipeg, he developed an urban forestry consulting company, Viburnum Tree Experts. He provided consulting services to universities, residents, developers, legal cases, and others as “Dr. Tree”. Mike authored books including, “Dr. Tree’s Guide to the Common Diseases of Urban Prairie Trees”. He collaborated in the Inter-
national Society of Arboriculture’s Certified Arborist course. He was a judge for Communities-in-Bloom which influenced his decision to move to Kelowna, B.C. in 2021, along with the fact that his son, James, and daughter-in-law, Sarah, had moved there previously.
In 2022, his son James scrawled the words “Grandma & Grandpa” on his (favourite) Starbucks coffee cup, indicating that there was a grandchild on the way – a life changing experience for the family.
Mike had a vast knowledge of trees and our connections with nature, and was a champion of the arboriculture and urban forestry discipline. He loved to share his knowledge and experiences with others, and he mentored many. To those who knew him, Mike exemplified not only the very best in an urban forester, but was also a person whose passion, kindness and honesty can never be forgotten.
