As we gear up for another exciting summer at the International Peace Garden, we’re thrilled to invite you to be part of our annual Mother’s Day Buffet –a beloved tradition and the official launch of our summer season.
This year’s buffet will take place on Sunday, May 11th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and we would be honoured to have you volunteer alongside our team on this special day.
Mothers will receive a gift of a lovely Peace Garden succulent to take home.
In addition to a beautiful breakfast in a lovely setting, you can tour the new cactus and succulents greenhouse. You could spend hours here alone, exploring the wonderful diversity of plant life in these species. And many are in bloom right now.
Members of our horticultural team will be on hand to speak with
The International Peace Garden in full bloom. guests about their work and the incredible plant collections they care for. It’s a great opportunity to connect our visitors more deeply with the beauty and expertise behind the Garden.
Your presence will demonstrate the strong connection between
our two nations that have been friends forever and where we celebrate the friendly and peaceful relationship with this special garden.
Debra McCallum is the Education and Volunteer Coordinator for the International Peace Garden
Mother’s Day is more than just a tribute day
When God created mothers, All as lovely as can be, He made one extra special, And saved her just for me!
– Holly Giffers
Mothers’ Day is not a holiday, but neither is being a mother. Nevertheless, while it is the one occupation that lasts for a lifetime, the work is a labour of love. Children love their mothers no matter what the circumstances and mothers love their children even when the relationship may be fraught. We are all children when it comes to thinking of our own mothers
no matter how old we may get. That is why we spend one special day a year thinking about this very singular relationship.
Canadians celebrate Mother’s Day based on the American version of the event which traces its history back to 1858 when a young American woman, Ann Jarvis, put together Mother’s Work Days to deal with sanitation issues of the time. A few years later, in 1872, poet Julia Ward promoted a special day for mothers and for peace.
The final recognition began in 1905, when Anna Jarvis,
On December 19, 1920, Kathleen Lyley McPhee (Kae) was born in Minto, Manitoba. Kae grew up in Wellwood. On May 6, 1944, she married Lieutenant Rurik (Ric) Nordman at the Garrison Protestant Chapel at Fort Osborne Barricks. Ric, along with his brothers Edwin, Ivan, and Marvin, were fighting for Canada in World War 2. For over half a century Kae and Ric were an inseparable team in business, politics, and community service. During their early married years, Kae and Ric lived on Valour Road and Corydon Avenue before moving to Santa Monica, California. During their California years, Kae is pictured with her young sons Grant and Greg in a January 18, 1955 Winnipeg Free Press story during a visit to Winnipeg. After returning to Winnipeg in the late 1950s, Kae and Ric lived briefly in Fort Rouge before becoming longtime residents of the Westwood and Headingley neighbourhoods. Kae and Ric celebrated their 50th Anniversary on May 15, 1994, with an Open Drop-In at Messiah Lutheran Church. Some of their Businesses
After the War, Kae and Ric operated Ric's 711 Lunch, which was located at 434 Sargent Avenue.
During the California decade, the Nordmans operated three restaurants called Ric's. These restaurants were patterned after Salisbury
Fred Morris
Kathleen Kae Nordman.
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ISSUES
That was the week that wasn’t!
It is April 29 and all that is left is the hangover after a week if political failure for my friends.
However, I am not discouraged and neither should you be. First, Wally Daudrich still plans to gain a seat in the legislature. With Grant Jackson’s federal victory, the Spruce Woods seat is open and if Wally takes it on, it would do much to reunite the PC Party. Right now it is split in half, with many folks very upset about the weighting of votes that turned a win into a loss for the Daudrich campaign. It will be up to Obby Khan to reach out and encourage Wally to join the team.
On the Federal front the biggest sorrow to me is the loss of Marty Morantz, the MP for Winnipeg West, but I hope we can convince him to offer again. He was a fine MP and a potential cabinet minister if we had won the seat and the government. As for Pierre Poilievre, I will stand behind him. You learn your best and biggest lessons in defeat. This will just hone him and make him a better Prime Minister for the future. I am sure someone will step aside in a safe ridings se we can welcome him back into the House. So, what about Mark Carney and his big victory? Will we see him in place for four more years? Or will his minority leave him vulnerable to imminent defeat much earlier? Many people are predicting a two-year run for this guy, whose only real offering was his relationship with Donald Trump. He won a campaign based on fear of the unknown and his selfassessment of how his sophisticated global experience would give him the edge. It is more likely that his history of rubbing shoulders with the Trump son-in-law and others on the money stage and with his vested interests down south will give him the leverage he doesn’t want to discuss publicly. Sooner or later though, he is going to have to reveal the holdings he is invested in that will put him into conflict with his job.
1. You did not pay taxes in Britain on your earnings as the Governor of the Bank of England because you invoked the non-domicile rule, even though you lived there, took out citizenship, and are married to a British woman. Now as Prime Minister, will you pay taxes in Canada?
2. What is your real relationship with Donald Trump? How well do you know his son-inlaw, Jared Kushner? You and Elon Musk sit on a board together. How does that tie into your relationship with Trump?
3. Is your wife Diana Fox a Canadian citizen? If not, has she applied to become Canadian?
4. You have written in your book that you believe we need to become completely electric by mid-century, and you have said that you will continue to support Bill C-69 which is the Impact Assessment Act. You have also written that, “A credible time consistent and committed government policy framework can pull toward sustainable investment and shut down unsustainable activity that is not longer viable in a net zero world.” Given this, will you support pipeline development and if so, given the terms of Bill 69, how can that happen at the speed that is needed to protect Canadian interests and economic development?
5. When will you reveal the extent of the holdings you put into a blind trust and does that cover all your holdings? Does that also include the holdings of your wife and/or any family trusts?
I am not naive enough to believe that the media will ask these pointed questions or that he would answer them if they did. However, I believe we must all keep these and other questions in mind as we judge him going forward.
SAT, MAY 10, 2025 | 7:30 PM
SUN, MAY 11, 2025 | 2:00 PM
If I were the media, I would ask the following questions:
It was, all in all, quite a week politically. As you read this it will be May and, shortly, some of our questions will be answered. Stay tuned, friends. It is going to be a rocky couple of years.
Would have, could have, will they?
Wayne Weedon
Much like Jean Chrétien in the past, the Liberals have been talking out of both sides of their mouths. Mark Carney removed the carbon tax for residential customers when he realized this tax, which Justin Trudeau had put in place, would cost the Liberals countless votes during the upcoming election. If the Liberals were serious about Global Warming, would they have placed huge tariffs on Chinese electric cars while giving the appearance of caring for the planet by giving Elon Musk subsidies and incentives on this billionaire’s electric vehicles? The carbon tax was, and is, a punishment for the average Canadian who has no say in this matter.
By placing huge tariffs on China, Canada is losing one of Canada’s major customers, a customer who is purchasing huge amounts of agriculture products and raw materials. Why is Canada punishing her friends along with her citizens?
If he had been elected, what would Pierre Poilievre have done about the Liberals chasing Canada’s customers from the door? Would he remove tariffs from Chinese goods, and especially on low-priced Chinese electric cars? Would he make friends with China and promote Canadian products to hungry Chinese?
We need to treat our global customers just like we should treat our retail customers. We should not refuse to do business with anyone just because we do not like their religion or ideology. We do not have the right to judge anyone else. Remember, not everybody in the world believes Canada is the just democracy we pretend we are. As Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, let’s address the issues in our own backyard before we begin telling the world how to live. L et us take a good look in the mirror before we begin to judge others. When he's finally elected, will Pierre Poilievre hold an olive branch out to China by removing tariffs on Chinese goods? Will he bring low-priced Chinese automobiles into Canada as a way of addressing Global Warming? Canadians would like answers, so they are able to make an informed decisions come the next voting day.
Join the WSO, Concertmaster Gwen Hoebig and her family of talented musicians for an evening of Mozart, Debussy and Strauss!
Dorothy Dobbie
The changing value of a university education: learning how to think
Over a decade ago when Lloyd Axworthy was the president of the university of Winnipeg, I interviewed him about the changes that he was making at the University. We had a long discussion about a number of things, among them, the future of the system as it then existed. Lloyd was very frank in his assessment. He was already seeing the need for fundamental change, particularly to the tenure system that was stifling innovation and progress, but also to teaching approaches.
This is backed up by others who say that “to protect their independence, essential mechanisms or principles such as tenure, academic freedom and sabbaticals have been developed. It is claimed that this insulation from the immediate demands of government or students enables the development of new ideas that are essential for innovation and change in both society and the economy. However, this comes at a high cost, since as much as half of faculty time may be devoted to their own interests.”
such as in health or in law, many young people will never work in their field of study. Only 10% of Fine Arts students work in their fields. At the same time, there is a dearth of qualified young people in the trades. Why? Partly because the focus has been on getting a degree and occupational educations have been relegated to second class.
Reg Whitaker, Research Professor Emeritus at York University, as he talked about his concerns, said, “Research, the ultimate self-justification of the university enterprise, rewards the arcane, the trivial and forms of knowledge hermetically sealed from the larger society.” Thomas Pocklington and Allan Tupper wrote in their book, No Place to Learn: Why Universities Aren’t Working, wrote that “research has been progressively crowding out teaching on Canadian campuses.”
In a recent personal interview with a PhD candidate writing a thesis on social enterprise, she observed that there is too much attention on, essentially, exploring how many angels can dance on the head of a pin as opposed to problem solving. She cited an international think thank she was invited to attend where 200 academics had all expenses paid to talk about social enterprise with no practical application in the conversation. She considered it a shameful waste of money.
But there are bigger issues than that. At a recent meeting of the Muttart Foundation, one of the attendees, a tenured professor at McGill, told me that he was finding that there was less and less freedom of thought and expression, to the point where he feared if he tried to promote this in his classes, he was risking his job.
And this is the crux of the matter. Instead of teaching kids critical thinking, he said, they are being taught WHAT TO THINK. This is dangerous to the future of our freedoms and to the future of democracy itself.
At the same time, there is a preoccupation with funding at universities, especially since the crackdown on foreign students. This preoccupation appears to be, as said above, “faculty devoted to their own interests.”
Meanwhile, unless the area of study is connected directly to a profession
As noted in the quote that university often “rewards the arcane, the trivial and forms of knowledge hermetically sealed from the larger society”. This is not to say that research and deeper studies are not useful, but there must be balance in the system. Sometimes we need earlier production for our students. For example, in the health field doctors are dragged through a regimen of academic learning that is not always related to the practice of medicine. As the mother of one young doctor intern told me, “My son said he learned so much more in six months of internship than he did in all his previous years of academic study.” It will take at least 8 years with an undergraduate degree followed by a couple of years on the wards to qualify for practice. Only 100 physician candidates are accepted at the University of Manitoba each year, so the shortage of doctors is understandable.
In contrast is the college system. Courses are much shorter but more intense. Many young people are now taking a couple of years at college but adding another two years of university to get a degree and avoid the stigma to having just a certificate. Graduates are in high demand. Colleges work closely with employers to ensure the education they provide is relevant to the need.
Teachers are teachers and there is no such thing as tenure, but their students come out of the system with useful knowledge they can actually apply.
I am not saying one type of education is better than the other. I am saying that we need to do away with the snooty ideas that a university degree makes you a better human being than does another form of education. And I am also saying that universities need to take a hard look at how and if their structure meets the needs of the modern world and perhaps make some adjustments.
Every human being is unique and different, and each is critical to our future. Some learn by doing (apprenticeships should not be overlooked, either) others learn by listening, studying, and reading. All need to learn to question and think for themselves as much as possible in order to later solve the unexpected questions that all will encounter.
The future depends on those who can do this.
Universities train you how to think
I’m going to say something you may consider radical: a university education is not for getting a job. And it shouldn’t be for getting a job. University isn’t supposed to train people to work at this or that; it’s to train people to read, think, discuss and write in a formal way that has worked for about 1000 years.
Universities trace their origins to the medieval institutions of Europe, beginning with centres of higher learning such as the University of Bologna (founded in 1088) and the University of Paris (mid-12th century), which formalised the gathering of scholars to study law, medicine, theology, and the arts. Over time, the model spread across Europe, gradually evolving to include broader fields of inquiry during the Renaissance and Enlightenment, when science, philosophy, and humanism gained prominence. The modern university, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, expanded beyond religious roots to become centres of research and critical inquiry.
class, universities became more accessible financially to more people throughout the 20th century. When I was a kid, most of my friends had expectations of finishing high school and going on to university. Today, around 55 percent of Manitoba students who graduate from high school start university within six years.
A hundred years ago, university was for an elite minority. Less than 5 percent of high school graduates went on to study more, and those who did were from wealthy urban families. Education was a social marker. Except for the professions, like medicine and law, there was little expectation that a degree led directly to employment. It was more about preparing a person for a lifetime of higher-order thinking, social responsibility and personal cultivation.
With the growth of the middle
It’s great that so many people are entering universities. The problem is that 55 percent of the population probably shouldn’t be looking for this kind of personal cultivation. Think of it in terms of IQ. (I know there are two problems with this, one being that it smacks of elitism and two being that IQ is an outmoded concept, but keep reading. Higher education is just about the only area where an individual’s innate intelligence should matter.) Should university students have IQs above 100? Probably. But only 50 percent of the population is over an IQ of 100. And if you hope university graduates should be at least on the high end of average, say 115 or above? That leaves you with only 16 percent of the population.
Sometime in the last 40 years or so, universities have become about getting a job. When I was doing my undergrad in drama in the 90s, a good number of students were struggling through degrees in the natural sciences. They thought a degree in drama or history or English was a waste of time and biology, chemistry or physics was more likely to net you a position after graduating. Today, a degree in the hard sciences is almost as much a “waste of time” as studying the humanities. You need engineering to get a job. Forget about math; you need to study statistics or accounting.
Dorothy Dobbie
Shauna Dobbie
Time for Winnipeg to make growth happen, not just talk about it
Let’s stop pretending everything is fine in Winnipeg. It’s not. Debt is climbing. Housing is unaffordable for many. Overregulation chokes growth. Inflation is eroding every household’s spending power. Yet the city continues to operate like it’s business as usual.
The truth is, we’re not in a position to coast. The decisions we make now will determine if Winnipeg can thrive in the years ahead — or fall even further behind. If we want jobs, investment, and people choosing to live here, we need to start making real moves. Not more roundtables. Not more reports. Real action.
Here’s a starting point: Housing. We need more of it, and fast. The demand is there, but supply is throttled by red tape, endless fees, and city bureaucracy that treats builders like adversaries. It’s time to look at development fees, not as a cash grab, but as a long-term investment — eliminating them entirely in high-priority areas.
Now let’s talk about downtown. Politicians keep saying we need to “revitalize” it. Great, but slogans don’t pay rent. If we’re serious about bringing life back to the core, we need to give businesses a reason to move in. Here’s one: A ten-year exemption on business taxes for retail, hospitality, and service industries in the downtown area. That’s how you attract coffee shops, bakeries, small grocers, and independent shops. It worked in Pittsburgh when they waived local business taxes for downtown startups. Storefront occupancy rose by 30% in five years.
Cities like Austin, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina have waived or reduced impact fees in exchange for commitments to affordable or high-density development. The result? Rapid housing growth, higher tax revenue later, and lower barriers to entry for first-time buyers. If Winnipeg did the same, we’d see shovels in the ground and rooftops in the skyline.
Next: The city owns land. A lot of it. Hundreds of properties sit empty, unused, and unproductive. Let’s stop pretending that holding these assets is good business. Sell them — at a discount if needed — but make the sale conditional on housing. Not retail, not parking lots, not offices. Just homes. Calgary introduced a program offering surplus city land for non-profit affordable housing providers at below-market rates. It worked. Housing was built. People moved in. Tax revenue started flowing.
Rhineland
Of course, none of this works if we can’t fix the way the city handles development applications. The Parker Lands fiasco should be studied in business schools as a case of how not to do city planning. Twelve years of delays. No homes built. A potential $50 million lost in property tax revenue. The court case alone cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we wonder why investors are skittish.
Developers have to navigate an absurd maze of city departments, each with their own timelines, standards, and interpretations of the rules. It’s not just inefficient — it’s hostile. Winnipeg should follow the model used in Phoenix, Arizona: Create a “development concierge” program. One point of contact per application. One file lead to manage progress, approvals, and problem-solving. Phoenix even guarantees timelines for plan reviews — 10 business days for residential, 20 for commercial. That’s accountability.
We could also emulate Denver’s successful “permit fast-track” program, which prioritizes housing that meets specific city goals, like affordability or sustainability. If you hit the criteria, your application goes to the front of the line. Simple, clear, effective.
The bottom line is this: Growth won’t happen by accident. It takes smart incentives, fast approvals, and a willingness to make bold moves. Our city hall has been stuck in neutral for years. We talk about vibrancy, but our policies encourage stagnation. We lament unaffordable housing, but we add to the cost at every turn. We dream of downtown renewal, but we tax small businesses until they flee to the suburbs. Let’s stop doing what doesn’t work. Let’s make it easier, not harder, to build homes. Let’s reward businesses that take a chance on Winnipeg. Let’s treat investors like partners, not adversaries, and let’s stop accepting “this is how it’s always been” as a justification for inaction.
The private sector is ready. The demand is real. The people are here, but leadership requires more than buzzwords. It requires action.
Winnipeg can boom. We’ve seen cities across North America reverse decline by acting with purpose. We just have to want it badly enough to make the changes that matter.
Let’s get out of our own way.
Kevin Klein is a former Tory cabinet minister, a former city councillor and President & CEO of Klein Group Ltd.
car company limited serving Altona and area for close to 100 years
In two years’ time, The Rhineland Car Company Limited will be celebrating 100 years of serving the people of Altona and area. Founded in 1927, Rhineland Car is the second oldest Ford dealership in Manitoba – following Metcalfe’s Garage (which I wrote about here some months ago) in Treherne – and one of only four dealerships or dealership groups in the province that can trace their history back to before the 1930s and still operated by the same family.
“I guess you can say the auto business is in my blood,” says Jim Dick, the third generation in his family to run the company. “I grew up in the business and, officially joined my Uncle Roy and Dad Earl on September 12th, 1994.”
He attributes Rhineland Car’s success to their family values and the way the Dick Family and their staff have taken care of their customers. “We believe that we are not just in the car business; we are in the business of building and maintaining relationships. We have a great team who work hard to provide the best service to our customers. There are many families in town who have been buying their cars from us for three or more generations.”
He further notes that the dealership has been recognized by Ford of Canada for sales achievement many times over the years as well as being awarded the Altona and District Business Excellence Award in 2013. Rhineland Car Co.
Ltd. has been the recipient of the Ford of Canada's President's Award for 16 consecutive years, having recently been awarded the Diamond Club Award for 2024. “This award recognizes the very best in customer satisfaction – for outstanding achievement in sales, customer service, and market share through progressive management, dedicated employees, and high standards of operational excellence.”
Rhineland Car's story began when five local businessmen joined forces to open the dealership, each putting in $60 with 12 shares each, at $5 apiece. They appointed P.L. Dick, Jim’s grandfather, to run the business. There were ups and downs in the early years. Sales slowed considerably at the height of The Great Depression and then again during the war years when new cars in general were in short supply. Nonetheless, P.L. went out on a limb, arranged a loan, and bought out the other shareholders in 1941. Disaster struck in 1946 when fire destroyed Rhineland Car's building and five other stores downtown. With some insurance money, Dick was able to build anew – this time a fireproof structure –and re-open the next year.
In 1949, P.L. Dick’s elder son, Roy, joined his father in business while younger son, Earl, who was still in high school, worked in the garage. Roy and Earl took over the company – Roy as President and Earl as General Manager on their father’s passing in 1963.
Jim Dick, Earl’s son, came into the
business – as noted above – in 1994. He was appointed sales manager in 2002, the year of Rhineland Car Co. Ltd.'s 75th Anniversary. In 2009, he bought out his uncle, father, and Aunt Carol (Roy and Earl's sister), becoming third generation owner, president and dealer principal of the company. In 2012, just after the Manitoba Sunflower Festival, he began renovations to the dealership. This would be the fifth building and renovation within the same location since Rhineland Car's inception in 1927. Jim and his staff moved into the new showroom the following year. He currently operates the dealership with his wife, Mia.
I had the pleasure of visiting Altona in my role as the Free Press auto columnist for Rhineland Car Co. Ltd.'s Grand Re-opening in June of 2014, meeting Jim and his family for the first time. I appreciated the warm welcome I received.
Jim reports that Altona has a population of approximately 4,700 – part of a larger population of between 10,000 and 12,000 in the surrounding region. “We sell about 150 new and 150 used cars a year,” he says.
“The older I get, it seems, the more changes there are,” he observes. “There are a lot more electronic components and we need a lot more specialized equipment. There have also been huge strides in safety measures.”
As with most – if not all – auto dealerships, Rhineland Car Company Limited is very much a part of the community and gives back in kind. “We support a number of local initiatives (minor hockey, baseball and curling programs of Altona and neighbouring communities, school and community
fundraisers and festivals, The Altona and District Chamber of Commerce, and the Oakview Golf and Country Club), to name a few,” Jim notes. “We see it as a two-way street – part of our obligations to the people and programs of our community. The cornerstones of our company include good corporate citizenship, community support, effective management, and excellent customer service.”
With Rhineland Car’s 100th Anniversary just two years away, Jim reports that he and his staff are already thinking about the celebration to come. “We will probably do something similar to what we did for our 75th,” he suggests. “Most likely a lunch or supper, with an open invitation to the entire community to help us celebrate.”
Both Jim and Mia's boys grew up in the industry, within a family of vehicle enthusiasts, knowing their way around the dealership, and having worked their way through various departments from a very young age. As to the future, it would seem that there is a fourth generation willing to take the reins when the time comes. One of Jim’s sons, Garrett, is in sales, and is currently enrolled in the Automotive Dealer Management degree program through Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario (Automobile Business School of Canada). Elder son, Brett, left the parts and service department after three years to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. He is often seen at the dealership and is always willing to lend a hand when he can. Cars run through their blood and the boys have always had a passion for automobiles. They are excited to see where things take them, and for the continued success and legacy of the company.
Kevin Klein
Myron Love
u
Tribute to a fair lady, Kae Nordman
Continued from page 1
House. After returning to Winnipeg, the Nordmans ran the Coffee Spot Cafe on Princess Street; Jack's Place, a nightclub at 2000 Pembina Highway; and two Dog ‘N’ Suds Root Beer Drive Inns (one on Pembina and one on McPhillips); the Breezy Bend Golf Club Restaurant; and the Headingley Monterey Banquet and Social Hall. The Monterey location is best remembered for their Saturday night dances.
Politics
In the 1974 Winnipeg Election Ric, with the backing of the Independent Citizens Election Committee, defeated Max Melnyk to become the third Councillor in the three-year history of the St. Charles Ward. The ward included part of Headingley. Ric was reelected in 1977. In 1980, Ric was acclaimed in St. Charles, and in 1981, Ric voted against a motion to scrap the Sherbrook McGregor Overpass. However, the motion was passed. If the Sherbrook McGregor Overpass had been built, Winnipeg would have avoided the current Arlington Street Bridge fiasco which I have mentioned in previous columns.
1, 1988, Winnipeg Free Press article, Kae provided a short and concise analysis of Ric's defeat: "It was clear as a bell. The NDP vote went to the Liberals and some Liberals who used to vote PC also voted Liberal."
In 1981, Ric switched to provincial politics. Despite the unexpected defeat of the one-term PC government of Sterling Lyon, Ric held onto the unpredictable Assiniboia seat for the PCs. Ric was reelected in 1986. In 1988 he was narrowly defeated by Liberal Ed Mandrake. This election featured the short-lived Winnipegbased provincial Liberal Party resurgence. In a May
In 1995, Premier Gary Filmon made Ric and Kae a Lifetime member of the PC Party. Ric died on July 29,1996.
After Ric's death Kae continued to support her sons during their five campaigns for Winnipeg City Council. Grant was elected twice to City Council. During Grant's last campaign, Kae at the age of 97, was pictured in Grant's campaign brochure.
In the Community
In 1964, Kae and Ric became charter members of Messiah Lutheran Church. The church began in Robert Browning School before moving into a new building at 400 Rouge Road. Kae and Ric both sang in the choir. Ric served on the Church Board. Also, Ric was the President of Kirkfield Park Community Center when the club was formalized as a business entity.
In June 2011, Kae is pictured in a Winnipeg Free Press photo at Winnipeg Pet Shelter's 8th Annual Paws for Life Gala. The picture included her son Grant, then a City Councillor, and Grant's Executive Assistant Sean Lyon.
Kae was an ardent sports fan. During Kae's life, the Winnipeg Jets won 3 Avco Cup Championships, the
The building of a brand-new Arlington Street Bridge is a top priority. The Bridge has been permanently closed for over 16 months. There is no longer time for a leisurely debate over building a new bridge or the possible relocation of the rail yards. Relocation would probably take at least a decade. The people who used this bridge should not have to live without a major transportation link that has existed since 1912.
Every Winnipeg area Federal Election Candidate should be asked: "Should the Federal Government give the City of Winnipeg a one-time $500 Million Grant on the condition that the money only be used for the construction of a completely new Arlington Street bridge at the same location? The current bridge is beyond repair."
Blue Bombers won 12 Grey Cups, and the Toronto Blue Jays won 2 World Series.
In December 2020, there was a celebration of Kay's 100th birthday, Grant Nordman wrote a front-page story for Lifestyles 55. Kae died on March 21, 2025, at the age of 104. Kae remarkable life is summed up by the final words in her Obituary:
“Kae was our matriarch and leader, and we are all better for having had her for so long in our lives.”
There will be a celebration of Kae Life at 11 AM on Friday May 16, 2025, at Neil Bardal's Funeral Center at 3030 Notre Dame.
Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.
Mother’s Day is more than just a tribute day
Continued from page 1
the daughter of Ann Jarvis, began to campaign for a special day to memorialize her mother’s work. After many hard years of promotion and lobbying, in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. The custom quickly spread to 45 states, then outside the country to include Canada, and Mexico. Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in 50 countries around the world, many on the same day, but some have their own special day.
The Avenue
It started out as an old Red River ox cart trail. It was initially called Portage Avenue and then for a very brief period it was called Queen Street (1891-1892). Then it went back to Portage Avenue. For most of the folks who ride the big orange rocket machine (bus) it’s Route 85. We all know it as Portage Avenue but there was a time when both those who worked and shopped on it referred to simply as the Avenue.
The six-lane road is about 14 kilometres long from Main Street to the Perimeter but the Avenue only runs from Main Street to where Colony Street becomes Memorial Boulevard. So, let’s take a stroll down memory lane as I remember some of the names, the stores and the vibrant times when this stretch was the picture of hustle and bustle all day long.
In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day is called Mothering Sunday,
I start at one of my favourite buildings, the 110-year-old Curry Building. It would be near impossible to list all the tenants who have filled the two-story building over time. It included drug stores, high end men’s and ladies wear shops, banks, doctors and lawyers. There are likely thousands of stories for each of the buildings that have stood, and many still do, on this nine-street stretch.
Remember the Mitchell-Copp Building, the Avenue Building, the Lindsay Building, the Boyd Building, the Paris Building, the Childs Building and the
Time Building? It became the Winnipeg Piano Building where my friends and I would spend a ton of time on Saturdays drooling over the great guitars we could never afford. We would also pop into Ray Hamerton’s, J.J.H. McLean and Croft Music. Lillian Lewis Records was one of the big names in record stores on the strip. Jack Skelly’s Music City was further west just past Colony. We’ve probably forgotten about how many retail furriers there were in this city, almost from the very beginning. A.&M. Hurtig Furs was a name in that business for many decades, W. Cohen Furs was another. I doubt anyone has ever come close to being able to name all the shoe stores. Remember Dack’s, Brenner’s, Agnew Surpass, Stroller Shoes, Surprise Shoes, Coquette Shoes, Bata and Villager Shoes. Add to that list the shoe repair shops including London Shoe Renew and let’s not forget the shoe-shine spots hidden in the back of some of the hotels or even in an alley on a summer day.
If you were after something along the line of sports gear how could you not pass up the opportunity to visit Baldy Northcott’s or Curly Haas Sporting Goods. Think about their first two names for a moment.
Another almost impossible list to tally would be the women’s clothing stores. I can’t name them all but I’m sure you will recall D’Allards, Ricki’s,
which always occurs three weeks before Ester. It is said to have its origins back to the spring celebrations to honor Rhea, the mother of the Gods, in ancient Greek civilization.
While the celebration has been criticized due to its commercialization, mothers everywhere appreciate the
respect and attention it brings to their role in the birth, nurturing and continued care that mothers give to their children and often to the children of others as well.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful women out there. We wouldn’t exist without you!
King’s Ladies Wear, Hollingsworth’s, and almost most certainly, Clifford’s. Not necessarily for their clothing, although I’m sure it was top notch but, for their television commercials. You have to remember their theme music, Sha La La (Yesterday Once More) by the Carpenters. Sheesh. Let’s not forget the monikers of the multitude of men’s shops. Frank H. Cruse and Son, Howard’s Men Shop, Haddon Hall, Thompson and Pope, Hanford Drewitt, Unicorn (very groovy), Bob McGregor’s Stag Shop and of course shops for both men and women including T-Trouser, Black Sheep Boutique and again, too many to mention.
The Lyceum Theatre, the Capital and the Gaiety were huge in popular-
ity but my favourite was the Rialto. Not many other options where you could see a double bill, granted not “new” flicks but gee, two movies, likely a cartoon or two and a bag of less than lovely popcorn for about 50 cents or less!
Damn, I’m out of time and space. I’ll have to do another installment that will include restaurants, florists, jewellers, and so many more, especially on the south side. I haven’t even touched on Eaton’s and The Bay! Sadly, due to urban sprawl and other factors the Avenue as we knew it will never be the same. But what great memories so many of us have of those halcyon days. Take a trip down Jim’s free musical memory lane podcasts online at Lifestyles55radio.ca
Jim Ingebrigtsen
A look at Portage Avenue now. Photo by Dave Shaver.
Fred Morris
From the desk of a gadfly
5 Daily habits and routines to improve your quality of life
Fred Pennell
Looking to turn your Golden Years into Platinum ones? You can! As you age, there are small changes that you can make to improve the quality of your life. From physical to cognitive and mental health improvements, we’ve identified 5 healthy aging tips that will help you in living your best life. Here’s how to keep your body and mind in top form for years to come:
Move more
Olivia Newton-John was on to something when she sang, “Let’s Get Physical.” At every age, exercise is important, but as you get older, exercising regularly becomes even more essential in helping maintain a healthy weight, bone density, agility, and immunity. Now, this isn’t about becoming an extreme athlete, but instead doing at least 30 minutes of low-impact exercise (think: walking, yoga, swimming, gardening, cycling) 3-4 times a week. Not only will this movement boost your mood and reduce stress, but it will also help make your body stronger to fight inflammation, help you sleep better, and can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. As well, incorporating light strength training is key for maintaining muscle mass, which in turn can help in preventing falls and fractures. As evident from the listed benefits, exercising regularly can help you live better and longer.
Eat a balanced diet
Making smart food choices as we age directly impacts health, brain function, and energy levels. Nutrient-dense foods – such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein to name a few – can help in strengthening your immune system. Think that all sounds great but
aren’t keen to get cooking in the kitchen? Heart To Home Meals is here to help!
From comforting vitamin-rich tomato soup and omegarich salmon to high-fiber broccoli and barley risoto and lean, protein-rich chicken and vegetable casserole, we’ve got you covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bon Appetit!
Sleep well
As we age, having a restful night is essential in maintaining good health and cognitive function. While getting enough sleep (experts recommend 7-9 hours per night) might feel like a pipedream, quality sleep will help you stay healthy and alert. On the flipside, sleepless nights can impact your memory and mood, resulting in exhaustion, irritability, forgetfulness, and depression. Suggestions for sleeping like a baby include creating a sleep schedule (go to bed and wake at the same time), avoid napping later in the day, practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises, and ensure you have the most comfortable mattress and bedding.
Stay connected
While social isolation can be toxic, bringing with it higher risks of depression and dementia, the benefits of regular social interaction are countless, including increased joy and mental sharpness. Whether it’s by telephone, video chats or a physical face-to-face, spending time with family and friends will stave off loneliness. Other ways to become socially active and boost your mood include taking a class, joining a book club, or volunteering and becoming more active in your community.
Activities for your brain are as important as physical activities are for your body. How to exercise your brain to keep it sharp? In addition to mentally stimulating activities
such as reading, writing, games, puzzles, and learning a new language, instrument or craft, the healthy lifestyle behaviours listed above (exercise, a nutrient-rich diet, quality sleep, and stimulating social interaction) will help improve cognition, self-esteem, and joy.
Healthy habits, when done long enough, will become beneficial routines. Embracing these 5 healthy habits will help you stay young as you age and keep you drinking from the fountain of youth!
To learn more about getting our delicious chef-created, and nutritionist-designed meals delivered right to your door, call 204-816-8659.
Challenge your mind
Activities for your brain are as important as physical activities are for your body. How to exercise your brain to keep it sharp? In addition to mentally stimulating activities such as reading, writing, games, puzzles, and learning a new language, instrument or craft, the healthy lifestyle behaviours listed above (exercise, a nutrient-rich diet, quality sleep, and stimulating social interaction) will help improve cognition, self-esteem, and joy.
Healthy habits, when done long enough, will become beneficial routines. Embracing these 5 healthy habits will help you stay young as you age and keep you drinking from the fountain of youth!
To learn more about getting our delicious chef-created, and nutritionist-designed meals delivered right to your door, call 204-816-8659.
Fred Pennell is the franchise owner of Heart to Home Meals Winnipeg. He and his team provide home-delivered, chef-crafted frozen meals specifically for seniors. Fred is also the President of Pembina Active Living, a community that enhances the quality of life for older adults in South Winnipeg.
Meet Jack – your 2025 Champion Child
We’re so grateful for donors who put their heart into helping kids like Jack. We introduced Jack as your new 2025 Champion Child on February 6. He’s a charismatic, funny and happy kid who will need HSC Children’s Hospital until he reaches adulthood. Jack was born at 26 weeks along with his brother Jori. Together they weighed less than five pounds. Sadly, Jack’s brother died at just 6 days old. Jack had a condition called hydrocephalus, which is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, putting harmful pressure inside his skull and required five life-saving brain surgeries before he turned two to treat it.
Manitoba are so pleased to have Jack take on the role of Champion Child this year.
Today, Jack loves doing everyday things like cleaning. As any kid his age does, he likes arts and crafts, cooking and playing on the swings. Flags of any kind though, are his absolute favourite! We at the Children’s Hospital Foundation of
Stefano Grande Healthy Living
March is Child Life month and Music Therapy Month. Being a kid in hospital can be tough. That’s why the Foundation is so grateful we have the very special Child Life team and music therapists to help kids and their families at HSC Children’s. All year long they provide purposeful and fun opportunities for distraction and play so kids can be kids while in hospital.
Child Life specialists are experts in childhood development. Programming includes music therapy, the library program, Children’s Hospital Television (CHTV), special holiday celebrations and of course, play. Technology is a big part of it too and that this program normalizes children’s experience in the hospital by giving something that’s familiar to them like video games, movies, tablets and more. Believe it
or not, video games can also help kids improve their physical rehabilitation.
Music therapy also offers something very special to kids at Manitoba’s only children’s hospital. Through the program kids can play instruments like drums and guitars or simply listen to one of the music therapists. The program brings the healing power of music to children in need of treatment and care.
This year the Children’s Hospital Book Market celebrates its 65th anniversary! The beloved event relies 100 per cent on volunteers who help collect and sort donated books before each Book Market. It then relies on volunteers to pack up and deliver books to the sale. Equally important, at the sale we also need volunteers to manage the many tables, help buyers find their perfect read and ring through purchases. Do you have time to help? If so, please inquire about volunteering opportunities by emailing the event organizers at bookmkt@mymts.net.
Stefano Grande is President and CEO, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.
Coping with a bored cat and other common feline conundrums
Since housebound cats do not have the challenges of finding food and seeking shelter, they are looking for something else to do. It is important to involve your pet in some sort of daily physical activity. Several factors make this a challenge.
You’ve probably heard the saying: dogs have owners; cats have staff. While usually said in jest, the expression illustrates a common view about these animals. Dogs are seen as friendly, trainable and loyal. Cats are perceived as independent, selfcentred and demanding. Furthermore, many believe that cats aren’t as smart as dogs since it is difficult to train a cat to obey a simple command, let alone perform a trick.
However, much of the difference stems from the fact that dogs like to please their owners and are very food motivated. Cats generally do things that are in their best interests and because they are fussy are difficult to bribe with food.
Masters of manipulation
Like dogs and people, cats possess short-term and long-term memories. In most cases you have to show a cat its litter box only once or if you move the food bowl the cat remembers where to head for the next feeding. Cats will also recollect a place even if it’s been years since
they’ve been there.
By being extremely observant of the happenings around them and studying their environment, cats become successful predators and elusive prey. A domestic cat, however, can use these attributes to learn how to open drawers, cabinets, and even fridge doors. They learn our habits and schedules and know when something has changed. They also learn how to get our attention and are masters at manipulating us.
Studies have shown that domestic cats are far more vocal that wild cats. This would suggest that our little kitties have learned that insistent meowing usually gets results. Some cats sit by the door and meow relentlessly to be let outside; some cats meow repeatedly at dawn to let the owners know it’s time to get up. They quickly learn that by doing this they will get their way.
To outwit your cat, you must ignore these demanding howls. Don’t make eye contact and don’t scold the animal since any reaction will be perceived as success and the cat will continue until the result sought after is achieved. If you have already reacted to these insistent demands, it becomes more difficult but not impossible to convince the cat that you are oblivious to his whining.
Meeting their needs is a challenge
Sometimes, however, cats walk around the house evoking this long persistent meowing as a sign of boredom or frustration. Many owners think that the cat is hungry and so put out more food. Cats may eat the food but often do so out of boredom and as a result gain unnecessary weight.
Since housebound cats, unlike feral cats, do not have the challenges of finding food and seeking shelter, they look for something to do. It is important to involve your pet cat in some sort of daily physical activity. There are several factors that make this a challenge. First, cats have short bursts of energy. They do not engage in long periods of strenuous exercise. Secondly, cats are active when they want to be; no amount of coaxing will make a cat playful if he is not in the mood. Thirdly, for cats, play is largely learning and once a toy is no longer a challenge or novelty cats usually lose interest.
Most of the activities of indoor cats mimic stalking, chasing, hunting prey or running away and hiding from possible danger. One reason kittens run, jump, chase and pounce so readily is that these are new learning experiences. As cats age, it becomes increasingly difficult to engage them in activity. However, most
cat toys are inexpensive and something as simple as a ping-pong ball or sponge golf ball can be interesting for a while. Homemade toys such as twist-ties, bottle caps or a piece of string can also elicit interest. Give your cat a tree
Many cat owners bemoan the fact that they buy toys that their cat ignores. Try to figure out the types of toys your cat seems to be drawn to and if the cat doesn’t seem interested at first, leave it around. Sometimes months later the cat will suddenly find it appealing. Frequently introduce new playthings to pique the cat’s curiosity. A cat tree of at least five feet is usually a worthwhile investment since it encourages running and jumping.
Studies have shown that in households where a cat and dog coexist harmoniously, the cat remains playful, usually being the instigator of friendly romps. Also, if two kittens have been raised together, they usually play together most of their lives. However, most cats are the only household pet and, therefore, the owner must try to instill interactive playing.
Of course, not all sounds that a cat makes are meant to annoy us. The pleasant, high-pitched mew sound is used to greet or to ask politely for some petting. Then there’s the contented purring sound that makes everything else just fine.
Global economic resilience amidst uncertainty and changing market dynamics
In 2025, the global economy finds itself navigating through a confluence of challenges reshaping the macroeconomic landscape. Sweeping trade policies, demographic shifts, persistent inflationary pressures, and debates over the evolving roles of major international financial institutions collectively shape the presently negative economic outlook, even as stock markets continue to display remarkable resilience.
The introduction of the "Liberation Day" tariffs by the Trump administration has markedly altered global trade relations.
Announced on April 2, these tariffs imposed a baseline 10% duty on all imports, with higher rates targeting specific countries and sectors. Particularly impactful is the 25% tariff on imported automobiles and automotive parts, effective since April 3. Although intended to bolster domestic manufacturing and rectify trade imbalances, these measures have introduced significant uncertainty into global markets. In response, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgraded its 2025 global growth forecast from 3.3% to 2.8%, citing potential disruptions to supply chains and dampened investment confidence.
Uncertainty hurts Americans too!
This uncertainty extends into everyday lives as inflation and the cost of living continue to trouble households worldwide. Despite inflation easing somewhat from prior peaks, it remains a critical concern. A recent LendingTree survey revealed that nearly 90% of Americans are adjusting their grocery shopping habits in response to price increases, an issue affecting even those with higher incomes. The situation is echoed in the United Kingdom, where consumer confidence recently dropped to its lowest level since 2023, driven largely by domestic financial pressures and anxiety over the economic repercussions from ongoing U.S. tariff escalations.
Complicating matters further are long-term demographic trends. The
global population is aging, with average ages predicted to climb from the mid-30s today into the mid-40s by the end of the century. This demographic shift reduces working-age populations and heightens dependency ratios, factors that typically slow economic growth. The IMF, however, notes potential mitigations. Improved health and cognitive longevity among older populations could offset economic impacts if accompanied by effective policy interventions aimed at workforce participation and retraining, highlighting that demographics need not dictate destiny.
Income inequality
At the same time, rising income inequality continues to weigh heavily on macroeconomic prospects. While global inequality between nations has generally narrowed since the 1980s, disparities within individual economies have widened considerably. Data from the World Inequality Database shows that the top 1% of earners have captured a growing share of income gains over recent decades, particularly in advanced economies. Much of this divergence stems from an increasing concentration of wealth in capital assets rather than labor income, reinforcing imbalances that can weigh on domestic demand, savings patterns, and long-term economic dynamism. Although often overshadowed by more immediate economic concerns, the persistence of this trend remains a structural headwind to future growth prospects. In parallel to these trends, the roles and priorities of international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank have come under scrutiny. Discussions at recent Spring Meetings focused on whether these organizations should concentrate more narrowly on core economic development issues.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent notably advocated for prioritizing urgent economic problems like emerging market debt and trade liberalization over broader social initiatives, underscoring an ongoing debate regarding
institutional purpose and effectiveness in a rapidly evolving global economy. Yet stock markets remain resilient
Despite these overlapping economic headwinds, stock markets globally have demonstrated notable resiliency. Major indices, including the S&P 500, have recovered impressively from earlier lows in the year, sustained by robust corporate earnings reports and underlying investor optimism. The buoyancy in equities, despite trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions, indicates that traditional economic pressures are being offset by novel factors reshaping investor sentiment and market dynamics.
A central contributor to this resilience has been the democratization of stock market participation. The surge of retail investors equipped with powerful trading platforms and realtime market data has fundamentally altered market behavior. Once dominated by institutional giants, markets now reflect the combined influence of countless individual investors making informed decisions independently of traditional market gatekeepers. Notably, numerous influential online trading communities and personalities on X and YouTube exemplify how grassroots investor groups can wield significant market influence.
Crypto having an influence
Another crucial factor fueling market strength is the infusion of capital from cryptocurrency investments. Substantial wealth generated by the cryptocurrency boom, which has propelled the crypto market's total capitalization to approximately $2.55 trillion by April 2025, has provided retail investors with considerable liquidity. These investors, having experienced significant gains in digital assets, are increasingly allocating portions of their wealth into stock markets, contributing to overall market buoyancy.
Regardless of how crypto assets are viewed, and many rightly view them with great skepticism and disbelief in their actual potential for any real value, these investment vehicles have successfully attracted substantial inflows, recently surpassing $1.6 billion within a single week. Legitimizing this investment shift are innovations like spot Bitcoin ETFs introduced by major financial institutions, including BlackRock and Fidelity, which have helped integrate cryptocurrencies into traditional financial portfolios.
Ultimately, while the global economy continues to grapple with substantial structural and cyclical challenges, the impressive resilience of stock markets underscores the profound shifts
occurring within the investment landscape. The democratization of market participation and the rise of digital assets have diversified investment opportunities and reinforced market stability. These evolving dynamics highlight the interconnectivity of contemporary economic forces and the need for policy frameworks that recognize and adapt to the realities of a rapidly changing world. Yet, against this backdrop of turbulence, most forward-looking economic projections remain decidedly negative. While major banks and financial institutions tend to moderate the severity of their forecasts, mindful not to unsettle their client bases, the underlying tone across research desks globally is one of caution, if not latent pessimism.
How much longer can the market resilience endure?
The persistence of market buoyancy in the face of such forecasts raises an unavoidable question: how much longer can this resilience endure? Should markets continue to defy conventional expectations without a significant correction, it may well mark the beginning of a new era—one in which the historical dominance of large financial institutions over market sentiment has eroded, displaced by the growing influence of independent investors, decentralized capital flows, and a more distributed architecture of market power. As 2025 unfolds, it is increasingly clear that this year may come to mark a critical inflection point in the evolution of global economic principles. Forces long assumed to be foundational: dominance by traditional institutions; predictable macroeconomic cycles; and the primacy of centralized capital, are being tested by new dynamics. Whether markets ultimately yield to these pressures or continue to defy historical expectations will shape not only the immediate economic outlook, but the architecture of global finance for years to come.
Romel Dhalla is Managing Director of Blumont Business Acquisition Partners. He was a portfolio manager and investment advisor with two major Canadian banks for 17 years. Romel provides strategic corporate finance advice to companies and high net worth individuals. Contact him at romel@dacorp.ca. Any views or opinions represented in this article are personal and belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that he may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.
Romel Dhalla On The Money
Gerry Desjardins dedicated to safeguarding lives of fellow Manitobans
Some readers may know him as “Gerry the medic” due to his frequent public service announcements and appearances on CJOB’s Morning Show and other media outlets. In the Whiteshell, where he is a leader in Ski Patrol, he has been called Safety Gerry. To me, Gerry Desjardins is Gerry, the pool guy.
When we bought our current home, it came with an in-ground swimming pool. Knowing nothing about the care and maintenance of swimming pools, I consulted the yellow Pages and lit on Gerry Desjardins. Over the past 27 years, I have gradually learned more and more about Desjardins and I can honestly say that – in 45 years as a journalist, I have never come across anyone whose range of work and volunteer activities comes anywhere close to matching him.
For the past 20 years, for example, Desjardins and his partner, Andrea Mensforth, have been part of the Manitoba Marathon Medical committee – of which Andrea is the race day team leader. Andrea is also the first aid co-ordinator. She and Gerry beforehand outfit all the medical bikes and, on race day, the couple join the other respondents on the bikes responding to runners in distress.
When film production companies set up shop in and around Winnipeg, the producers look to Gerry and Andrea to serve as on set medics.
In the southeast Whiteshell and Kenora area, not only does Desjardins train the members of the Canadian Ski patrol volunteers (Andrea is the team leader) – but he also serves as medical training officer for the local volunteer fire department for Falcon and West Hawk Lakes. In the latter capacity, he is responsible for regular medical training, stores and maintenance and, when reports come in for help, he is one of the first to respond.
He also finds time to train with and serve as a member of both Manitoba’s Community Emergency Response Team and Search and Rescue Team.
Desjardins notes that his resume is four pages long. He is literally on call somewhere seven days a week – and wouldn’t have it any way.
So, what inspired Gerry Desjardins to essentially dedicate his life to the health, safety and well being of his fellow Manitobans?
His epiphany came, he recalls, when he was 11 and his father suffered a near fatal heart attack. “My father,” he recounts, “worked in food store management. The job was extremely stressful, and a number of his contemporaries died at relatively young ages.
“He had just left the Norvilla Hotel after a Lions Club meeting when he collapsed in the parking lot.”
The senior Desjardins was clinically dead. Someone called 999 (now 911). Desjardins was given CPR and jolted with a defibrillator and brought back to live.
That was the catalyst for the young Gerry Desjardins. At 14, he became one of the youngest Manitoban to take the St. John’s Ambulance first aid training course. He subsequently served as a volunteer for the organization for many years.
At 16, he found himself a member of the medical team standing by at the Winnipeg Speedway where he got to know members of the City of Winnipeg Emergency Medical Service (EMS). “They (the EMS personnel) encouraged me to consider a career as a first responder,” Desjardins reports. “That became my goal in life. At 17, I became the youngest member of the City’s ER team.”
(Gerry also earned his scuba diving license when he was 17, a year after getting his motorcycle license and a couple of years before his pilot’s license.)
ing while focusing more as a volunteer on first aid training and recreational safety. He notes that he has been teaching first aid courses for many first aid providers for some 40 years throughout Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.
For the past 20 years, he has been teaching ski patrol volunteers in and around Manitoba and Kenora. He notes that his partner, Andrea, is the leader of the Canadian Ski Patrol volunteer team in the southeastern area of the Whiteshell. “There are around 5,000 CSP volunteers across Canada and 70-80 in Manitoba,” he reports. “We are ready to go every year on December 1.
Desjardins is particularly proud to say that his daughter (name) was also part of the southeast Whiteshell ski patrol part team. She has taken a break to take university courses and raise her newborn.
I started teaching my daughter, Tiana, how to ski when she was two years old,” he says. “I took her to all the ski hills in southern and western Manitoba. I also took her to Banff and Whistler. She is a fabulous skier. She has excellent control and can stop on a dime.”
She is also an outstanding – and self-taught –snowboarder, he adds.
He notes that his granddaughter, Maeve, will
soon be two. He is looking forward to starting to teach her to ski soon as well.
Desjardins’ renown in the Falcon Lake/West Hawk lake area led to his first encounter with the film industry. That was 2004 and a film company was setting up to film in the area.
“The producers were looking to hire as many local people as they could,” he recounts. “I was living at Falcon Lake at that time. I was asked to take on responsibility for First aid and security.”
Recognizing an opportunity in film, Desjardins and Andrea took a couple of courses and were able to become members of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees). He reports that over the past few months, he and Andrea have been called on to be the on-set medics for several productions being filmed in Manitoba.
Although he recently turned 65, Desjardins says that he is not thinking about slowing down any time soon. “I love volunteering,” he comments.
“I have never needed to smoke, drink or take drugs. I get my joy, my high, from saving lives and knowing that I am helping to keep people safe.
“I still feel that I have a mission to help people in distress. As long as I can still walk and have the energy, when the pager goes off or I get a call out phone call, I’ll still respond.”
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Desjardins worked as an emergency responder for the city for the next 18 years. Although he found the work fulfilling, he says that he also found dealing with the catastrophic sights and sounds stressful and exhausting.
“Two of my co-workers committed suicide,” he says. “I stayed with it as long as I could. I became sad and depressed and had to leave. I had to leave.”
At was at this juncture that he went into swimming pool repair and maintenance to earn a liv-
Myron Love
Its Grilling time
Ribs: a dish that always steals the show
Finally spring is here, and now its time to grill. The beauty of these grilled ribs lies in their mesmerizing transformation on the grill, where meat meets fire in a passionate embrace. As they cook, a symphony of sizzling sounds fills the air, each crackle and pop igniting the senses with anticipation. The tantalizing aroma of smoky wood mingles with the sweet and savory notes of marinades, enveloping you in an intoxicating fragrance that beckons you closer.
The ribs, glazed with a rich barbecue sauce that glistens under the sun, exude a seductive allure. As they caramelize, the sugars create a sticky, glossy coating that hints at the tender meat within. With each bite, you’re met with a succulent explosion of flavors – a perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and a hint of spice that dances on your palate. The meat falls away effortlessly from the bone, a testament to the low and slow cooking that renders it impossibly tender.
Grilled ribs are not just a dish; they’re an experience that brings people together. Imagine gathering around a fire pit, laughter and lively conversation filling the air as friends and family dig into platters piled high with glistening ribs. Each bite shared is a moment savored, a reminder of the joy of good company and great food.
The beauty of these grilled ribs is amplified by their versatility. Whether slathered in a classic barbecue sauce or brushed with a spicy glaze, they can evoke memories of summer picnics and backyard gatherings. Paired with coleslaw, cornbread, or grilled veggies, they create a feast that feels both indulgent and comforting.
In essence, these grilled ribs are a celebration of flavor, warmth, and togetherness. They embody the sultry allure of summer nights and the magic of shared
Here is what you will need:
BBQ Sauce
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup ketchup
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Ribs the dry rub
6 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons smoked sweet paprika
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 full rack baby back pork ribs
The all important how to:
BBQ Sauce
In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, add vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Once boiling leave to simmer on a low heat stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes. The set to one side and leave to cool.
Ribs
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and cumin seed.
Heat one burner on your barbecue to low or preheat to 200°. Place the ribs on a large piece of foil and coat all sides with the dry rub. Ensuring that all the rub is coating the ribs then leave to sit 10 minutes, before tightly wrapping the foil.
Place the ribs bone side up on the cooler side of the grill put the lid down and let cook slowly. After 1 1/2 hours, rotate ribs 180° and cook for a further 1 1/2 hours. Once the ribs have cooked for 3 hours total, you should be able to see bones protruding from the meat when you peer inside foil, carefully.
Remove the ribs from grill and transfer to a large baking sheet. Open the foil and let the ribs rest for 10 minutes or so.
Adjust the grill temperature to a high heat 450°F. Remove the ribs from foil and place directly on grill. Using a pastry brush, generously baste with the cooled homemade BBQ sauce. Flip rack after 2 minutes and baste the other side with sauce.
Grill until sauce is caramelized and meat has visible grill marks, 1 to 3 minutes. Flip again and continue to grill until sauce on other side is caramelized, a further 1 to 2 minutes. Use all the sauce be generous.
Once the ribs are cooked, remove from the grill and leave ribs cool for about 5 minutes, then simply slice and serve. Coleslaw, grilled veggies, corn bread all make this a real treat,
Ian Leatt is a trained chef from across the pond.
Stuffed Tomatoes, page 104
meals, reminding us that the simplest pleasures often bring the greatest joy and rewarding memories.
Ian Leatt Foodies
Daffodils bring early sunshine to our gardens and they keep rabbits at bay!
Dorothy Dobbie
Along with the longer days comes our longing for flowers and sunlight and nothing imitates sunlight better than the lovely daffodil, officially known as Narcissus. Its cheerful yellow, white, orange and sometimes pink hues are a harbinger of brighter days ahead for winter weary eyes.
I don’t know why we don’t see more daffodils planted in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba. Many varieties are hardy here and they have an advantage over tulips in our climate in that they are long livers and will gradually increase, needing division and transplanting only every five to seven years or so. I plant ‘King Alfred’, introduced to Europe in 1899 and as hardy as they come. A big, robust daff, it never fails to gladden my heart when the snow is gone.
Keeping daffodil bouquets
But long before that happens, daffodils being making their appearance in supermarkets and flower stores. They are inexpensive – usually a batch of five will cost under $6 here – and they have a good shelf life in a vase if you care for them properly. Cut fresh daffodils underwater on an angle about one-half inch up the stem. Use cold, clean water (you can add a drop of bleach or a penny to the vase to keep the bacteria at bay). Change the water daily. You can give them a bit more life if you cover loosely with saran wrap and overnight them in the fridge or a cool space. Don’t set them in sunshine. They offer enough of that on their own. Also, don’t mix daffodils with other flowers. They have a toxic sap that will put a quick end to the other blooms.
Daffodils are the birth flower for March.
Growing daffodils
All except one of the thousands of types of daffodils are fall planted bulbs that need a cold period before being able to bloom. The exception is Narcissus tazetta, otherwise known as paperwhites, the variety that is often forced in water. If you bought daffodil bulbs last fall thinking you would put them in this spring, and if they haven’t turned to mush so far, try putting them in
the crisper drawer in your refrigerator and hope for the best this spring – get them into the ground as soon as it can be worked.
Next fall, pop your daffs into a hole that will give you at least 3 to 4 inches of soil cover over the top of the bulb. Sprinkle some bone meal on the bottom and dig the hole a foot in diameter so that you have room for about five bulbs. Daffodils look best when planted in a clump. They don’t mind being planted under trees because they will probably bloom before the leaves are out. There are some late-flowering species. Check the package label. Buy some early, mid and late bloomers to keep the colour coming for weeks. In a cool spring, blossoms can last up to 20 days. In a hot spring, that can be reduced to five.
By the way, there are five species that bloom in fall. Their leaves appear after the flower. And there is one green variety that is more interesting – it blooms at night and has scrawny green flowers – than beautiful. On the other hand, the old fashioned Narcissus poeticus is white with a red rimmed corona. The B.C. grown N. jonquilla can be bright yellow or white. There are literally thousands of varieties. The smallest is N. asturiensis at five to eight cm. The tallest is a variety of N. Tazezetta at 90 cm.
Deer and rabbit resistant
Daffodils not that fussy about soil, but they don’t like soggy ground. Be sure they get enough drainage. And you may not want to plant them next to your favourite rose as the bulbs, stems and leaves have some toxicity that can declare war on such neighbours. Not that this is totally a bad thing. It also deters rabbits and deer that love you tulips.
Daffodils produce an interesting toxin, Galantame that is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. They have long been a staple in the traditional pharmacopeia to teat everything from cancer to muscular diseases (it has been used to treat Muscular Dystrophy). They are grown commercially for their Galantame in Wales. The volatile oil from narcissus is used in dozens of perfumes. Arabs used the oil to treat baldness; East Indians to smooth over the body, along with rose and jasmine before prayer.
As the year go by, daffodil bulbs will bury themselves deeper into the earth. They have contractile roots (like dandelions) that have the ability to pull the bulb deeper. The leaves die back after flowering and storing enough energy to produce new flowers in the springtime. By freeze-up, the leaves and flowers for next year are already formed within the bulb.
Daffodils are one of the most important bulb crops produced all over the world. They are the official plant of Wales and are a symbol of the fight against cancer (they have cancer fighting potentials). From the Iberian Peninsula, they have gained fans globally. Hundreds of millions are sold every year. Get some for yourself and you will fall in love.
Creating a strategic plan to make sure your strategic plan works!
Many of us are members of clubs, charities, organizations, churches, or work groups that talk about the need for strategic planning. Some people love the idea of strategic planning but are not very clear on what that would mean in real life. Some people panic at the thought of strategic planning because it sounds very involved and complicated. Certainly, it can be a very complex process, but like business plans, some of the best plans are scrawled on the back of a napkin. Now, that is probably an exaggeration, but truly, any exercise that helps a group to reflect on its current situation, identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as well as confirming the mission, vision, and values of the organization will provide a benefit for the organization if it is actively used.
Progress Report Meeting. Dec. or Jan. each year. Identify progress and next steps. Use for developing the next year’s budget.
Trudy Schroeder Random Notes
I have noticed that many organizations go to great lengths to create a strategic plan, and once the plan is completed and put into a lovely photo enhanced public version, it is put on a shelf and not referred to until the next five-year planning process begins. Shockingly, the plan does not result in much change in the organization. Over the years, I have identified ten tools that can help an organization to get much more benefit from the strategic plan. It is not difficult or time consuming to have a strategic plan that actually helps you to make progress.
1. Schedule a Board and Staff Annual Strategic
2. Create an Annual Strategic Work Plan. It’s used to build strategic progress.
3. Make a public version of your strategic plan (short form) and make it available for your stakeholders, sponsors, funders, and members. Make this part of your public recognition strategy. Have the materials designed by a graphic designer, include photos of people engaged in your programs, include a message from the board president and the executive director. Include a listing of the staff members and board members who were involved in developing your strategic plan.
4. Remind yourself of your strategic elements by placing the elements in places and documents that you see often. (Mission statement on business cards, on website, in annual report, in public documents, in work and annual reviews for staff members, on meeting agendas have a side bar that includes mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities so that it is right there for you as you make your decisions at meetings.
5. Include strategic progress reports in your annual report for your AGM.
6. Use your strategic plan in board and staff recruit-
Has tipping reached the tipping point?
How do you feel about forced tipping? Do you respond or do you ignore it?
A new survey data from H&R Block Canada reveals that Canadians appear to be experiencing extreme tip fatigue –both with expectations around tipping
amount and where they’re prompted for a gratuity. Some key findings from the survey include: 94% of Canadians say they’re annoyed by card payment machines prompting tip options for services that
ment, on boarding, and assessment processes.
7. Do an annual values check. Review your stated values and discuss ways in which your organization has demonstrated consistency with the values.
8. Keep a consolidated progress record of strategic advances on your key strategies. In this way you can see your progress over the five years.
9. Celebrate your progress and identify areas of weakness.
10. When you get to the beginning of the fifth year of the plan cycle, start reviewing the success of your plan and identifying preliminary areas of development for your next five-year plan. Is your 20-year vision looking more achievable, why? Do you need to redirect your planning?
A strategic plan is a working tool for organizations to help focus efforts and track progress. In order to be more than a nice report on a shelf, it needs to be integrated into the regular and ongoing work and operations of your organization. It is not a sacred text, and it can be adjusted or refocused as the years go by. Sometimes huge disruptive things happen that make even a reasonable well-developed plan impossible to implement. (A pandemic, a war, a natural disaster, huge new resources or opportunities, massive organizational growth.) Adapt the plan and carry on with the good work that is the mission of your organization.
Trudy Schroeder provides project planning and management services to the community through Arts and Heritage Solutions.
tips weren’t previously expected.
• 84% of Canadians recognize that tips must be declared for tax purposes.
• However, 47% of those surveyed assumed the recipients aren’t declaring their tips when filing their taxes.
• Over half (53%) of Canadians
identify as “frugal tippers”, typically opting for the lower tip option and/or only tipping for exceptional service.
• 88% of Canadians surveyed feel that tipping culture has become a means for employers to pay their staff less.
Sri Lankan Seniors
Minister of Sport Awarded Certificate
to Senaka
On behalf of the Government of Canada, Hon. Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister Responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada selected me as a recipient of King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of my outstanding contribution to the community.
The certificate award ceremony was held at the Canad Inns Hotel, Pembina on March 8, 2025, with the participation of more than 150 invitees. Based on my invitation, I was only allowed two guests. I obtained approval for two extra invitees, namely Nandika Bandara, President, Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba and Doreen Jayawardena, President, Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba. As Doreen had to attend her family matter, she nominated Elian Joseph, Vice President, SLSM. I must be thankful for Nandika and Elian to be with me during this remarkable event as two Sri Lankan community representative leaders. I was also accompanied by Chandnai my wife and Chamathi my granddaughter.
rate the 150th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 2017 at the Annual Sri Lankan Cultural Ceremony organized by SLAM at Canad Inns Hotel (2) On Dec 11th (SUN), 2022, with the Platinum Jubilee Community Leadership Award in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the throne.
South Winnipeg Recreation Campus: Multipurpose Hall
I attended the Open House presentation for the proposed South Winnipeg Recreation Campus at Bison Run School. I had met with Deputy Mayor Janice Lukes and stressed the need of a community hall with a capacity of 600 person.
What I saw on the display board was a proposed multipurpose room with only a 50-to-100-person room with a small kitchenette. South Winnipeg is expanding rapidly, and that size is not enough with the growth of homeowners.
They proposed that the adjacent three blocked gym can be used as an extension. Then the total capacity will be 600 persons.
Rangana (Dancing)
Held on March 16, 2025, from 4.30 to 8.30 pm at Desautels Convert Hall, University of Manitoba, this was the opening event to light the Sri Lankan Traditional Oil Lamp.
I want to take this opportunity to convey my sincere gratitude to the President and Board of Directors for inviting me for this honorary occasion.
Terry introduced me to the audience to reporting the services that I have rendered during the past decade in Winnipeg and as a retired Public Servant who functioned more than 40 years in the Government of Sri Lanka. A few of those were: (1) President, Sri Lanka, SLAM, (2016/2017), (2) Conducted Sri Lanka Trade Fair in this hall in April 2016 (2) Took an initiative to establish Seniors’ Group in the Province of Manitoba (23-62016) (3) President, Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba (2022/2023) (4) Efficient utilization of New Horizons Seniors Program grant aid funds
Previously Terry has presented me with two National Awards: (1) On April 21st (SAT) 2018 to Commemo-
However, the officer attached to the City of Winnipeg outlined four limitations to expanding into the Gym: 1. Sound will be a problem, 2. There are food restrictions in the gym, 3. There is no availability of tables and chairs, and 4. There is not enough capacity in the kitchen. It is therefore necessary take measures to eliminate above restrictions.
In South Winnipeg there are two locations with 300 and 150 capacity two halls. Both halls are charging $50 per hour and a minimum of $2,000,000 annual insurance ($650 to $750 plus taxes) liability.
I am strongly recommending South Winnipeg homeowners need a Community Hall with a capacity 600 persons within the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus at Bison Run School .
The choreographers of Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba observed that culture is not static but evolving with time. Based on this they selected 19 events to display three main periods – namely the old culture of Sri Lanka, the colonial influence and existing traditions.
As a subsidiary organization of SLAM, Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba demonstrated ten existing professions and three main nationalities as the 15th event of the main schedule.
St. Paul’s College: South Asian Mass
On March 16, 2025, at 11.00 the South Asian and Sri Lankan celebrated cultural mass followed by a potluck lunch at noon initiated by Dr. Dilantha Fernando, Fellow of the APS Dean of Studies, St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba.
Catholic Christians worship God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) through the celebration of the mass as two parts. Part 1: Liturgy of the Word, and we had two readings that day, one was read in Sinhala, and the other was in Malayalam. The mass was enhanced by participants wearing traditional outfits from their respective regions. Part 2: Liturgy of the Eucharist, where bread and wine are consecrated on the holy altar by the priest, with the assembly receiving the body and blood of Jesus. For lunch I had milk rice and Sambol. Dilantha told us that every first day of the month his loving mother prepared milk rice for breakfast to anticipate prosperous balance days of the month. Dilantha’s Sri Lankan graduate and six post docs students were also among the participants.
Dilantha requested that Sri Lankans wear a traditional dress for the cultural mass. I wore an old traditional men’s dress coat and sarong. Sri Lanka was under British colonial rulers this was the men’s dress in urban and suburban regions. My father’s younger sister’s husband wore the same dress as the owner of Sri Kantha Hotel and Drapery Store Ltd. in Borella, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
10 Neat Things about boozy bugs and alcoholic animals
1. The moose is loose. In Sweden, a moose got stuck in an apple tree (yes!) and when the police came and cut the tree down, the moose fell to the ground, apparently too drunk to get up. Moose are not alone. Deer will do the same thing, getting all stumble-y and sleepy after too much “apple cider”. There are numerous videos on YouTube showing drunken moose that get high on fermented apples.
2. Boozy butterfly. Apparently, male butterflies that can dip their proboscis into a fermented substance before mating are able to bestow a “nuptial gift” on the female. A nuptial gift can be food
items or other tokens transferred to females during courtship. This could be a bit of leaf, a seed tuft or a bit of seed silk. Sometimes, as in the case of the butterfly, it is a spermatophore, a package of special nutrients that are delivered in the sperm.
3. Set ‘em up Joe… for the spurned fruit fly. Unmated fruit flies drown their sorrow by turning to alcohol. The successful suitors scorn the demon rum. Some scientists postulate that fruit flies turn to alcohol, which they get from fermented fruit, to kill parasitic wasps.
4. Second hand drunk. There is a bug that appears to love ethanol, basically booze. For years, it has been noticed that the ambrosia bug is attracted to dead and dying trees that give off ethanol as they begin to die. The beetles bore into the tree and there consume fungi as their sole source of food. It was thought that it was the beetles who boozed, but apparently, it’s the fungus that thrives on ethanol, giving the bugs a second hand high.
5. The elephant in the room. In an Indian village, elephants went on a rampage, wrecking 60 houses after they broke into the villager’s stash of a drink made from fermented rice.
6. The bear facts. In Washington State, a black bear was found passed out after it had raided the coolers of campers and drank all their beer. The bear was fussy, too, opting for Ranier Beer among several choices.
7. Alcohol for internal bugs. A glass of red wine, some say, is a very good way to keep internal animals at bay. Janet Guthrie, a scientist at the University of Aberdeen proved in an experiment that the alcohol in gin in all concentrations killed cholera. The higher the concentration, the quicker the death of the bacteria, which took from one to 26 hours to expire after exposure.
8. Pass the tequila, Sheila. It only takes tequila in 10 per cent concentrations to kill salmonella, shigella and E. coli. Red wine is also effective against these pathogens and against the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Studies are ongoing.
9. Booze for birds. For some reason
many booze brands are named for birds: Wild Turkey bourbon, Red Breast Irish whiskey, Famous Grouse whiskey, Grey Goose vodka, Kentucky Owl bourbon, Old Crow bourbon, Eagle Rare whiskey, plus a couple of cocks: Fighting Cock whisky and Chicken Cock, both referring to roosters – as, of course, you knew. 10. More booze for birds. Most of us have seen partying robins gorging themselves on fermented chokecherries and having a grand old time. Then there were the Bohemian waxwings that partied on mountain ash berries in Whitehorse and had to be put into a “drunk tank”,(hamster cages) where Environment Yukon held them until they could sober up and fly straight.
Terry Duguid with Seneka Samarasinghe. Photo by Chamathi Weligamage.
Dorothy Dobbie
Senaka Samarasinghe
A moose stuck in an apple tree.
Understanding good, better, and best progressive lenses
Progressive lenses, often referred to as multifocal lenses, are designed to provide a smooth transition between multiple vision zones, allowing for clear vision at various distances --near, intermediate, and far. When choosing progressive lenses, it’s essential to understand the differences between the "good," "better," and "best" categories, as each offers distinct features and benefits.
Good progressive lenses
Good progressive lenses are typically the most basic option available. They provide essential functionality at a more affordable price point. These lenses usually have a wider area for distance vision and a more limited area for reading. While they may be suitable for those who have moderate vision correction needs, users might experience some distortion at the edges, and the transition between different visual zones may not be as smooth. Good progressive lenses are a great choice for budget-conscious con-
sumers who still want the advantages of multifocal lenses.
Better progressive lenses
Better progressive lenses offer an improved experience compared to the "good" category. These lenses usually feature a larger visual field for both distance and near vision, with a more gradual transition between different zones. They may also come with additional coatings, such as anti-reflective or scratch-resistant layers, enhancing durability and comfort. Users often report reduced distortion and a more natural viewing experience, making these lenses suitable for those who spend considerable time on digital devices or engaged in detailed tasks.
All About Eyes
Best progressive lenses
Best progressive lenses represent the premium option, designed for individuals who demand the highest quality and performance. These lenses feature advanced technology that optimizes visual clarity across all dis-
Dinner with Frank
Dinner with Frank Mahovlich, the former hockey player and senator, was an experience to remember. He regaled us with stories of his past. One of them was about his 2017 trip to Moscow to have dinner with Putin – the occasion was a celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Canada-Russia hockey series of 1972. Frank, who was one of the team co-captains, was there with guys like the Russian goaltender, Vladislav Tretiak, and others of that era.
I remember the 1972 series very well. I was an avid hockey fan and a fierce Canadian, even in those days, and I looked forward to our NHL gang whipping those Soviets in our national game. The series was filled with ups and downs, bitterness, and moments of torment followed by wild joy whenever we won.
I ended up in hospital for an operation during the series, so I missed most of the games (including Game 3, played in Winnipeg which tied 4-4), although I have a foggy memory of coming out of anesthesia and catching a few minutes of play, ignoring my anxious family who were gathered around.
The day I came out of the hospital (they used to keep us in for ages) was the day of game 8 in Moscow. After dropping me home, Glenn left to go back to work. My small daughter, Shauna, who was five at the time, was my only companion as I tuned into the final game.
It was a nail biter that looked like it would end up in a tie, but in the final minute of play, a miracle happened. Here’s how it was remembered by Henderson as presented by Wikipedia:
In the final minute of play, with Phil Esposito, Yvan Cournoyer and Peter Mahovlich (Frank’s bother also played in the series) out on the ice, Paul Henderson stood up at the bench and called Mahovlich off the ice as he was skating by.
"I jumped on the ice and rushed straight for their net. I had this strange feeling that I could score the winning goal", recalls Henderson.
Cournoyer picked up a puck that had been passed around the boards by the Soviets in a clearing attempt. He missed Henderson with a pass,
but two Soviets mishandled the puck in the corner and Esposito shot the puck on Tretiak.
Henderson, who had fallen behind the net, got up and went to the front of the net where he was uncovered. Henderson recovered the rebound of Esposito's shot, shot the puck and was stopped, but recovered the rebound. With Tretiak down, he put the puck past Tretiak with only 34 seconds to play. Foster Hewitt's voice rose in excitement as he called the winning goal:
“Cournoyer has it on that wing. Here's a shot. Henderson made a wild stab for it and fell. Here's another shot. Right in front. They score! Henderson has scored for Canada!”
There I was, beside myself with joy and no way to express it. I got Shauna to jump up and down to celebrate for me. She must have thought I had
tances, providing a seamless transition that minimizes distortion. Customization options, such as personalized fitting based on the wearer’s lifestyle and specific visual needs, are often available. Additionally, best progressive lenses may include advanced coatings and treatments, such as blue light filtering and enhanced scratch resistance. They are ideal for individuals who require superior visual performance, whether for professional use or active lifestyles.
Choosing the right progressive lenses depends on individual needs, lifestyle, and budget. "Good" lenses provide basic functionality, while "better" lenses enhance comfort and clarity. For those seeking the best visual experience, "best" progressive lenses offer top-tier technology and customization options. Consulting with an eye care professional can help determine the most suitable option based on specific vision requirements.
Arshdeep Manghera is a licensed optician who specializes in eyeglasses. He is also a certified contact lens optician and the owner of Academy Optical. With over a decade of experience, Arshdeep is dedicated to helping patients find their perfect eyewear.
come home deranged!
There is no expressing to a young audience today what that win meant to Canadians or even how we felt about our hockey heroes, whose names were on everyone’s lips, no matter how little we might know about the game in general.
Frank also told us about being a young hockey player, up against Rocket Richard for the first time. His job was to shadow the Rocket. “You stay on him,” said the coach. When you get hold of him, don’t let him go.”
Frank took this advice to heart and sure enough, he soon had the Rocket in his grasp, his arms around him, holding him very tightly. “He tried to elbow me out of the way,” said Frank. “But I held on tight. So, he screwed his body around until his nose was just about touching mine and he said in a very firm voice, ‘Let go, Kid.’ I gazed into his eyes and said, ‘Yes, Mr. Richard.’”
I love that image of the future superstar yielding to his hero, in spite of strict instructions from the top!
For those of you too young to remember, Frank Mahovlich was one of the greatest hockey players of all time and, in 2017, was named one of the top 100 Greatest NHL Players. He will turned 81 last January 10 and is still tall, erect and full of life.
During his visit to Moscow last year, Putin became very expansive – lots of vodka was imbibed –and the guests were given an underground tour of the Kremlin. Here they were shown vast stores of precious metals and jewels. There were big boulders of gold, said Frank, and heaps of emeralds and rubies and diamonds. It was mind-boggling.
That got me thinking: what good is that stuff anymore? Does it have any real intrinsic value? Do you collect diamonds and gold now? Our real wealth is in knowledge and the ability to use it. Stuff, material things, is just stuff that we desire for a while, then tire of and replace with new stuff. If Russia is really relying on its stores of obsolete minerals as the basis for wealth, then I think they are in for a sad surprise some day in the not-toodistant future.
But then, maybe I’m just showing my age. After all, as they say, you can’t take it with you, so what the heck is the point? What is wonderful, though, is meeting a guy like Frank Mahovlich and hearing his stories.
Manitoba charity unveils Treeincarnation Project!
The Memorial Woodland of Manitoba Inc. (The Woodland) is a registered charity, which has been created to facilitate an ambitious and creative “greener” project. Namely, to develop and maintain a forest where the cremated remains of individuals will be mingled with the root systems of newly planted as
well as existing trees.
Participants will also be invited to plant memorial trees without the addition of cremains. The Woodland will facilitate the optional placement of a discreet memorial marker to serve as a lasting legacy.
This unique project will be situated on a parcel of land near Tyndall, Man-
itoba, a drive of approximately 30 minutes from the City of Winnipeg.
Professionally designed and maintained, The Woodland will be an interactive gathering place. The fully developed forest will contain picnic sites, water features and pathways.
The Woodland is undertaking a marketing period to recruit a sufficient
number of potential participants to ensure that the project will be sustainable in perpetuity.
You are invited to watch this oneminute video outlining the project https://youtu.be/Axv6g4jgq4U. All Manitobans are welcomed to embrace this treeincarnation initiative.
Dorothy Dobbie
Photo of Frank Mahovlich from his hockey card by Ralston-Purina Company.
Arshdeep Manghera
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
Will exercise improve brain fitness?
Physical fitness is reflected in a person’s mental condition whatever their age, but for older people, whose brains can begin to show signs of decline around the time they enter their 60s, there is a special connection between the two.
Yes, the message goes, regular aerobic exercise – a brisk walk or a climb up flights of stairs – can help keep older people mentally fit.
As a multitude of clinical tests over the past decade have shown, the brains of people engaged in aerobic exercise can be seen to reverse the process of decline, and actually produce neuron cells – dispelling the long-held belief that mature brains could not grow new cells.
With that finding, scientists now acknowledge that truly fit bodies can ward off the seemingly normal process of mental decline – at least for a period of time. Many are hoping the growing body of findings connecting physical and mental fitness will prove a tipping point for people who aren’t yet making a serious effort to keep in shape.
With mental health issues, notably dementia, forecast to affect a sharply growing proportion of our population in coming years, at heavy over-all cost, the medical findings offer our society a reasonable prospect of a much brighter future on the health front.
Scientists tell us our bodies begin to show signs of aging about the time we reach age 40. Physically we slow down, and our brains, too, lose their edge. Around age 60, the shrinkage in our brains, averaging about one per cent a year, begins to manifest itself; signs of mental ineptitude begin to appear.
In solving problems or making decisions, we – most of us – don’t think as clearly in advanced years as we once did. Aerobic exercise – exercise that increases the intake of oxygen by the heart and lungs – is believed to result in a portion of this oxygen reaching the brain, helping bring it to a level of fitness where this mental decline is reversed.
Do different kinds of exercise benefit different parts of the brain? Precisely what kind, or kinds, of exercise and in what way? For what reason? How much of that exercise is needed, and does the size of the dosage matter? Do any non-aerobic exercises (strength-training in the case of the elderly, for example) similarly affect thinking and/or memory?
Bit by bit, tests with people or animals are filling in some details.
• A University of Illinois study surprised the science community by showing that people over 60 undertaking a program of aerobic exercise saw their brain volume increase. Researchers made the finding using magnetic resonance imaging on the volunteers to twice measure the volume of their brains’ hippocampus, the part of the brain that’s key to learning and memory.
A related United States study assigned 120 sedentary older people to either walk briskly for 40 minutes three days a week – considered “moderate” exercise –or else do stretching and toning exercises – in both cases for the period of a year. The results, revealed the hippocampus of the aerobic group had increased in volume by two per cent; the stretching group suffered the normal age-related one per cent decrease in volume.
Scientists say the medical community needs to define how much of a given exercise is needed to achieve a desired health benefit – so doctors can give their patients meaningful instructions. And the required duration for a specific exercise routine can vary depending on whether a person is working out to increase their brain power or to help their heart.
• University of Kansas lined up 101 volunteers, all healthy, aged 65 and older, divided them into four groups and had them all tested for their aerobic capacity an d how well they could remember and think.
Three of those groups were then assigned to walk briskly on a treadmill every week for 26 weeks for three different time periods. The first group exercised
What’s it like to be “over the hill”?
As spring sprouts and the season of rejuvenation is at hand, it is useful to remember to get out there and enjoy every minute. This is even more important if you are older and have been shut in all winter.
For those just reaching the age of retirement, the question we all have in our minds, no matter what age we are, is what it like is to be “old”.
What we usually hear is that it stinks, that it’s ‘no fun’, that it’s not what ‘it’s cracked up to be’. The fact is, that this completely depends on who you are. It also depends on what you consider “old”.
“Old” is a state of attitude, not so much of mind or body. You may have quite the same amount of energy you did when you were 18, but neither do some people at 30, 40, 50 or 60. If you exercise your muscles, they respond as they always did – getting stronger the more you work them and the same is true of your mind. If you work hard, concentrate and think, the result is there – moreover in many cases it is more fruitful than it used to be because you
simply know more having lived longer and collected a lot more experience and knowledge.
True, mental reactions may not be as swift as they used to be, but part of that is needing a bit more time to check your experience reference library. You have also learned that responding quickly (and sometimes mistakenly) can lead you into hot water. It may be wiser, you have learned, to do a bit more research (thinking) before coming to a conclusion.
Fast think vs slow think; neither is wrong, they are just different. In your 70s and 80s, it’s very liberating to be able to offer an opinion knowing it is grounded in experience. Liberating also is that you will have lost so many of those limiting self-doubts you had in the past. You have learned not be so judgemental and that times have changed – what was true in the past may not work today.
One thing that hasn’t changed is how you view yourself. You often hear older people say that they “don’t feel any differently now than they did at 20” and that is true. Emotions remain as they were. Your
for a total of 75 minutes, the second for 150 minutes, the third for 250 minutes. The fourth group continued their normal lives and didn’t exercise. At the end of the period all four groups were again tested for their aerobic capacity, memory and cognitive ability
The result: the physical fitness of the three walking groups varied, rising to reflect the different time periods of their exercise. However, while each of the groups achieved improvements in their thinking processes, the level of improvement was about the same.
“A small dose of exercise” might be enough to improve many thought processes, said the doctor who co-directed the study, adding that scientists must find out in what ways- people are affected by different amounts of exercise.
• A Finland study worked with a large number of male rats to find the type of exercise that would bulk up the animals’ mature brains with the highest number of new cells. Researchers injected a substance in the rats to mark the cells produced – and then put one set of rats to work jogging at moderate speeds on wheels in the cages; had another set climbing walls with weights on their tails and put a third group on treadmills for a stressful high intensity interval training regimen (alternating between high and relaxed speeds). The exercise sessions were repeated over a seven-week period.
The scientists found the aerobic runners, who had travelled long distances on their wheels, produced strikingly high numbers of new neurons, their output reflecting the distance they ran. The HIIT group, which had run harder, produced noticeably fewer neurons. The weight training rats had gained strength over the period but no new cells.
The upshot: “sustained aerobic exercise might be most beneficial for brain health also in humans,” and speculation that the distance running had produced a substance (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) that could work its magic on a human hippocampus as well.
view of the world, while perhaps expanded, remains much the same. You feel we are the very same person we were back then.
If you were in love with a certain person at 20, chances are that love is just the same at 70. (And your physical responses remain the same, too, by the way.) Contrary to what many younger people no doubt think, your body is not necessarily clothed in wrinkles. You undergarment skin is still smooth and interesting... as are other parts of your body. Your sexuality is not diminished as a natural function of passing years.
This is a fascinating time or life. You still have much to look forward to no matter how many years have gone by. Today, you can expect to be around, vital and busy and contributing, well into your 80s and beyond. Don’t waste the years past 65 regretting the past. Revel in the years you have lived and the freedom they accord you in helping to shape the future.
