Lifestyles 55 2020 November by PegasusPublicationsInc

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November 2020

FAST DENTURES

947-1807

Don’t forget to Wash Your Hands!

428 Portage ave

Sherrie hits 25

Legislature gets a facelift

Important to stay hydrated

208 Power Bldg

It is the Trudy Schroeders Their sacrifice, of the Arts who are our our gratitude real quiet heroes Dorothy Dobbie

everal months ago, I offered my support to the performing Arts in Winnipeg because I could see what a devastating effect COVID-19 would have on their audiences and their operating funds. I have pledged to continue this support until the pandemic is over and they are able to do something to get back on their feet. Their executive directors have been keeping us up to date on their struggles and small successes since May through our no-strings-attached editorial space. It is our wish that this will help readers learn just what it has taken to keep their doors somewhat open, keep their many employees somewhat employed and keep our community enriched with their survival.

Particularly for the WSO, the Ballet, the Theatre and the Opera, this has been extremely challenging. Under COVID-19 rules, audience participation is a real problem. None of them can even pay the janitors on the money they earn from tickets but

think about things such as rehearsals and preparation for a symphony or a play or a dance performance under COVID-19 rules! Even the film industry has had to undertake significant challenges to production issues u 4 ‘Art heroes’

Winter Falls

What you need to know to reduce your risk Krystal Stokes

very November we dig out our gloves, toques and scarfs and get ready for old man winter. Some prefer to hibernate inside while others embrace the winter wonderland. As Canadians, our everyday language is filled with expressions that reference our wintery climate: Skating on thin ice, snowed under, leave him out in the cold and not a snowball’s chance. My grandpa liked to say Manitoba

A good pair of winter boots are a pricless investment. winters build character, making people heartier, and I would have to agree with him. After all, folks who live on the west coast just get up in the morning and start their day, never having to dig out

a car from a snow drift! If winter can teach us anything, it’s patience. There is a downside however – winter also brings with it treacherous, icy conditions that can increase your risk of a fall. November is fall prevention month, the perfect time to learn how to reduce your risk of falling in winter. Even simple activities like walking to your car or grabbing the flyers from the mailbox can be hazardous on our icy roads and sidewalks. Falls are a major threat to the health and well-being of older adults u 20 ‘Winter falls'

I’m a senior. My children are worried about my health declining. I’m anxious too, but I want to stay in my home. During COVID 19, I’m afraid to leave my house and I need assistance. What can I do?

hen World War II started in 1939, Canada was in the midst of the Great Depression. The war shocked Canadians out of the Depression and got its economy going. As a nation Canada gave more per capita than any other country to help end the conflict. Canadians flocked to enlist. The new troops included veterans of earlier wars, boys still in high school, and thousands of unemployed. The recruits came from many regions and from varied backgrounds. Eighteen-year-old Aubrey Cosens, a railway section hand from Ontario was rejected by the Royal Canadian Air Force but did get into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Robert Gray joined the Navy as soon as he graduated from the University of British Columbia. John Foote, a 35-year-old minister joined the chaplain corps. All were typical Canadians, and all distinguished themselves by winning the Victoria Cross. Almost 700,000 Canadians under the age of 21 served in uniform during the Second World War. Boys as young as 13 would lie about their ages and try to enlist in the military. Underage volunteers who looked old enough were often accepted. The day after Canada’s declaration of War, CKY aired Lux Radio Theatre, The Awful Truth, starring Gary Grant and Claudette Colbert. The Park Theatre was featuring Angels with Dirty Faces, with James Cagney plus a second movie and a piece of Sweetheart Beautyware for the ladies. Early admission was just 15 cents. Even though Canada had declared war on Sept. 10, the war seemed far off as the fall and winter of 1939-40 settled into the Phony War. But, in the spring of 1940, the Nazis swept through the Low Countries and France fell. Hitler prepared for an invasion of Britain. If we looked back to Canada in the 1940s, we’d u 9 ‘In gratitude'

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Lest We Forget

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MLA for Kildonan - River East

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Rick WOWCHUK

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rick.wowchuk@leg.gov.mb.ca

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MLA for Swan River

November 2020

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Just do it!

Canada today has forgotten that it was citizens who created the country, not governments

PUBLISHER Pegasus Publications Inc. DESIGN Cottonwood Publishing Services

hy do people feel they need the government to tell them what to do with any initiative? What has happened to our ability to think for ourselves, to plan for ourselves, to just get it done? Why does everyone think they need permission? Unless there is a law prohibiting something or the action will hurt another, why the heck would you need government permission? Here is a little secret: If you ask permission, 95% of the time the answer will be NO, because the folks who run governments are risk averse and No is the safest answer. But what I am seeing is, even when the government official or minister says, “That Dorothy Dobbie sounds like a good idea!” the proponents continue to limp along, frozen by insecurity, waiting for something more from government. About the only thing you can get from the government is money and that usually comes with all sorts of strings and reports and pain. So, if you can find another source of funding, do so. Your life will be easier. We also blame government for all our shortcomings. If something isn’t working out to our liking, it is the government’s fault. Just look at the whole COVID-19 thing. If the cases go up, it’s because government isn’t “handling” it right! How stupid is that? How can government handle a pandemic? All they can do is follow the will of the people and act on the advice, flawed or otherwise, of their health officials, who themselves are often confused and maybe ill informed. You can’t blame them either. Health officials look to “higher” levels of expertise for guidance, but those levels don’t always agree. Why? Because they don’t know and are forced to draw conclusions based on flawed evidence. Even the World Health Organization keeps changing its tune – or at least adding a lot of caveats to its original declarations. So, it comes down to making informed decisions at the individual level based on the best information available, whether it is how to conduct yourself during a pandemic or how to start a new initiative for enterprise or social reasons. Governments don’t make these decisions – people do. My friend Sudhir Sandhu, Executive Director of the Manitoba Building Trades Council, recently posted a monologue on the philosophical differences between I and We. In his mind, the We are more important than the I, but he acknowledges that there needs to be some sort of balance. I say that there can be no strong collective if the component parts, the I’s, are not strong. A collection of dependent weaklings is a collection of dependent weaklings, unable to think or do for themselves. They rely on “government”, or others, to make their decisions, govern their actions, take care of their children, their parents

EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net EDITOR Emeritus Joan Cohen ART DIRECTOR Karl karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Ian Leatt ian.leatt@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Gerrie Beachall, Dorothy Dobbie, Myrna Driedger, John Einarson, Nathan Giede, Adam Glynn, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Kevin Klein, Ian Leatt, Nicole Matiation, Sheldon Mindell, Fred Morris, Manitoba Seniors Coalition, Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, Jim Pappas, Peggy Pendergast, Brent Poole, Dustin Rodgers, Senaka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Elly Spencer, Jerry Storie, Chris Tuffer, Wayne Weedon, Nathan Zassman. Canadian Publications mail product Sales agreement #40027604 ADVERTISING 1-888-680-2008 info@pegasuspublications.net SUBSCRIPTIONS If you would like to receive Lifestyles 55, we offer both monthly newspaper and online formats. To place your order, call 204-940-2700. Subscriptions are $48.00 per year, plus tax. American Express, MasterCard, Visa & cheque accepted. To view a back issue online visit lifestyles55.net

Published monthly by: Pegasus Publications Inc. 138 Swan Lake Bay, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4T8 204-940-2700 whatsupwinnipeg.ca DISTRIBUTION Available at over 100 locations from Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Morden, Selkirk, Flin Flon and The Pas. If you would like bulk copies of this publication, contact Ian Leatt at (204) 940-2707 or ian.leatt@ pegasuspublications.net. Also available digitally at whatsupwinnpeg/lifestyles and on Facebook: Lifestyles55 EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Call Dorothy Dobbie at (204) 940-2716 or email dorothy@pegasuspublications.net for more information and guidelines. Any opinions expressed in columns by our contributors are their own opinions entirely and are not necessarily shared by Pegasus Publications Inc. All information presented by the contributors is the responsibility of the writers. Lifestyles 55 is published monthly. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without seeking permission in writing from the publisher. Copyright Pegasus Publications Inc.

Even the business community hesitates to act without government permission. and ultimately themselves. But society needs the individuals, the “I” people who make things happen to build a strong foundation for collective action. And there is the balance. If we are to have a healthy city, province and country, it must be made up of the folks who have the strength, creativity and determination to build the foundation. That means thinking, and doing without permission. Here in Manitoba, we have forgotten how to be strong and independent; we lived under socialist rule where they demanded a role in everything we did for so many years. As a result, we have been fading away on the Canadian stage, no longer the leaders, the initiators, the creative geniuses we were once considered to be. Even our business class has been tainted with this attitude. But here and there we see glimmers of hope, little sparks that shine through the darkness. Problem is that their light is dimmed by the mythology of needing the government’s permission to do anything. We don’t. If you have an idea, a plan, a budding enterprise, pursue it with all your might. If you share it with someone in government, good for you. It’s information. But don’t expect them to come and make it happen for you or to contact you to find out how you are coming along. That is entirely up to you! Just do it!

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Civic insensitivity creates hardships for seniors trying to age in place

“They then contacted the city planning department and were informed that their opinion was irrelevant as the city had decided the hydrant was going to be placed there and they would have to live with it.” Gerrie Beachall

ging in place means having the health and social supports and services you need to live safely and independently in your home or your community for as long as you wish and are able. It has become a popular topic of discussion as the baby boomers face their retirement years. The question is how serious is our current society about achieving this option for an aging population? Supporting our seniors to age in place is an excellent way to encourage health and wellness as they age. The ability to remain in the community eases the burden on the health care system including long term care facilities. It can also ensure that seniors remain active and engaged in their community which has multiple benefits for both the community and the senior. Aging in place involves the commitment of all members of society and various levels of government. The individual plays a significant role in successful outcomes from having input into the policies developed by government to taking an active approach to planning how their aging in place plan can work for them. This means having a long hard look at where they would like to spend their retirement and the subsequent years following that. This will involve conversations with partners and family members about the types of activities they wish to be engaged in. Do they involve remaining independent in their home? Will they continue to drive? Can they identify how they want to spend their time and how to access these activities as their level of mobility or independence changes over time? It starts at the municipal level At the local level, it involves the municipal government, which is responsible for keeping the communities clean, safe and accessible for all members. At the provincial and federal level, policy and program decisions about shifting the focus away from institutional care to community care are critically important. Infrastructure funding must factor in short and long-term accessibility for community members who experience a variety of mobility and accessibility needs. Focusing on these criteria will benefit all community members, not just seniors.

Beth and Craig Lee, who have mobility issues, have lost access to their frontage thanks to a thoughtlessly placed fire hydrant in front of their home. The planning departments of local cities and towns must accept their role in supporting our seniors. The various policies and programs they create for use of space and road networks in our communities must also factor in the impact of these changes on the members of the community. After raising a family in the home you have built and dutifully paid taxes for, one would expect that changes made in the community could and should have some level of consultation. Unfortunately, there are cases where the consultation appears to involve minimal true community engagement and, in some cases, no engagement at all. Uncaring response My family has experienced a recent example of when decisions are made with no apparent consideration on the impact to community members. There has been a significant road renewal project underway on the street my where parents have lived for over 45 years. This project will result in improvements for the area; how-

ever, the planners did not consider the placement of a fire hydrant and subsequent removal of a street light and its impact on seniors in the area. The placement of a fire hydrant should be an improvement to an area that everyone is pleased about. Unfortunately, in this case, they chose to place it directly in front of the only house on the street with extremely limited frontage. It happens to also be my parent’s house. The city did so without notifying them that this was being installed or where it was going to be placed. The hydrant now blocks all access to the front street for my mobility challenged parents. The fire hydrant is on a curve in the street between two driveways on either side of my parent’s home. The neighbors have the option of parking in the driveway. My parents or anyone else who will live there in the future, will not have the option of parking in front of their home. This lack of accessibility is a significant barrier for my mother who has limited mobility and requires a walker to navigate her way to the front door. As good, reliable community members and taxpayers, they reached out to their local city councillor. They did not receive a response. They then contacted the city planning department and were informed that their opinion was irrelevant as the city had decided the hydrant was going to be placed there and they would have to live with it. To add insult to injury, the planner indicated that moving it to the property line would involve removal of a tree and that was not acceptable to the city. The message to my parents is that a tree is more important than my parent’s ability to remain independent and successfully age in place. The removal of a streetlight is another example of thoughtless planning about how this lack of lighting would impact a senior’s ability to navigate the community, especially in a climate where the hours of sunlight reduce drastically for many months. The lack of adequate lighting is also a public safety issue for others on the street. If this is how our cities choose to treat our seniors and others who require accommodations to be mobile and remain Independent in their community while they age in place, then the goal of aging in place seems like more of a pipe dream.

It is the Trudy Schroeders of the Arts who are our real quiet heroes Continued from page 1

to get the film rolling. Yet each of these stalwarts, who enrich our community every day, has game-fully moved forward, accepting what comes and trying valiantly to overcome the obstacles. This fall, they are all trying to launch some sort of season, however truncated and virtual it might be. I am thinking particularly of Trudy Schroeder who has the largest number of full-time employees to manage and care for. I have good reason to know that she is a bit of a genius when it comes to making things work that seem to be irrevocably broken. When I took on the challenge of chairing the WSO in 2006, it was very broken. Key staff had abandoned ship and the Board had hired a charming and creative but totally ineffectual manager. Knowing his own limitations, he hired an out-oftowner who hired her husband to take are of the management. Board members spent more time meeting in the parking lot than in the board room and the coffers were not only dry but the organization, by the time of my first meeting, was $750,000 in the hole and slated to dip to $1 million by the end of the season. Part of this was due to a change in Legislation that demanded the Concert Hall make money, putting it in competition with its principle tenant, the WSO. It also had a negative impact on the 4

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Opera and the Ballet, and to some degree on the Theater Centre which bought its power from the Centennial Concert Hall and whose rates skyrocketed. The whole thing was a mess. Board members were dropping like flies, not wanting to associate with a losing enterprise. The icing on the cake for me was when a representative for the Canada Council came to town and informed me that perhaps Winnipeg should accept that it needed to scale back to an orchestra the size of that in Whitehorse! My first meeting was in November. The chair resigned in May, just before the AGM. I took over as president. I did the job, trying to deal with the charming but hopelessly inept executive director, but it was clear we had different visions about money, so by the following March he announced his resignation (we remain friends). I breathed a virtual sigh of relief. I already had his successor in my sights: Trudy Schroeder, at that time, ED of the Winnipeg Folk Festival. She had a classical music background and a stalwart reputation. I took her for lunch at Dubrovnik and the deal was sealed. Trudy was the very best thing to happen to the WSO in the 20 years since I had previously served in the Board back in the 80s.

Her perception and vision have kept the company on track ever since. No, it wasn’t all hearts and roses, and we butted heads from time to time during my five years as chair, but it was always in the interest of the orchestra. She fought to bring us back into fiscal balance, while being able to deal with the difficulties of having a dual leadership role with the artistic director. Her leadership helped take us to New York. Her leadership helped us create El Sistema. Her leadership has kept the orchestra in the black for the past ten years. Her leadership would have seen the orchestra in the Netherlands last spring, but for COVID-19. So, hats off to Trudy. Long may the WSO be lucky enough to keep her. She always used to say, “Ten years and out”, but I know she loves the orchestra. Hats off, too, to Camilla Holland, who though relatively new to Winnipeg, has become a stabilizing force in the theater community. She too, is a natural leader and we are so glad that Toronto let us have her. Larry Deroshers, stalwart, continues to quietly lead the Opera, a most improbable company in a small town like ours, but one we appreciate and enjoy, and which gladdens our hearts every time they hit the stage. Andre Lewis at the Ballet is doing the

job for two as both Executive and Artistic director. What a very difficult time for the Ballet – they are a travelling troupe that cannot travel, but how we need them to carry our brand around the world as they have done for the past 80 years. Then there is Nicole Matiation, ED of On Screen Manitoba, the industry that is putting Manitoba on the map as a movie capital, providing all sorts of jobs you would never dream of in the making of productions that are shown around the world. Our community would not be the same without any of these companies, yet they have received the least support of any sector from any level of government. Indeed, the new chair of the Canada Council feels that his obligation is to “new and emerging” companies instead of these “legacy” companies. Where the heck does he think the new and emerging companies get their start? So, once more loyal readers, lend your hearts and support to these folks, our quiet heroes. Without them our community would be so much the poorer. We would have a hard time attracting business investment and good people to come and live here and we would lose many more. They ask for so little, yet they give us so much. November 2020

Park upgrades are about the people

commitment I made two years ago during the campaign was to ensure we allocated ward allowances to improve and enhance our community parks. I'm very proud that, with the help of residents and our team at the City of Winnipeg Parks, we have completed several park upgrades in 2020. We have reallocated over $250,000 in our ward funds this summer through various project grants and to City Parks for work. Park upgrades completed this summer include Bannatyne Grove, which received a new basketball hoop centered on the pad and had Councillor lines painted. Supporting a Kevin Klein local parents' group through Inside City Hall a grant, Ridgewood West Park saw some beautiful landscaping upgrades this summer. Bedson Park received over $100,000 of new playground equipment, and next year, we will be adding additional play equipment for 5 to 12-year-olds. An area resident visited our community, took photos, and provided me a detailed list of minor repairs needed. We were able to use our ward budget to address these items.

Some of the projects are done while others are scheduled for completion this fall. Parks needing new or repaired signs included Parc Morrissette, Dellwood Green, Parc Branconnier, Peri Green, and Charleswood Place. Fraser Meadow also needs a new park sign. The only one is a damaged metal directional sign at Municipal and Rannock. Other parks requiring signage are Charleswood Memorial Park, Beuchemin Park, Lockhart-McDowell Garden, Gladys Bunn Park, Paulson Park, and Bramble Park. The resident helped identify the need for new gravel at the entrance of Beuchemin Park and a new basketball hoop for Bannatyne Grove.

We did focus on our community in 2019 by allocating funds to the Scotswood-Glenbush Park Playground, Tom Brown Park, and Edward Shindleman Park. I was also incredibly proud to work with residents in The Oaks to plant several new trees along the fence line facing the Perimeter Highway. These are the most rewarding projects for me as an elected official. Working with residents to see their desires for our community become a reality. These are your tax dollars, which should be allocated to enhancing the quality of life in your community. Together we achieve these projects. I was elected to work on your behalf, and I'm proud to do that. Kevin Klein is the city councillor for Charleswood-TuxedoWestwood.

Fred Morris shares his birthday

any great people share Nov. 13 as their birthday. Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer, was born on Nov. 13, 1850. His works included Treasure Island, Jekyll and Hyde, and the Child's Garden of Verses. He died on Dec. 3, 1894. Bruce Hudson was born on Nov. 13, 1928. In 1946, Bruce was the center in the Tribune's All Scholastic High School Football Grid team. His Gordon Bell team lost 9 to 6 to Isaac Newton in the high school final at Osborne Stadium. In junior baseball, Bruce was an all-star catcher. He played on many championship baseball teams. They included the 1946 Rosedale Juveniles, the 1949, and 1950 Rosedale Juniors, and the Cindy Lamaroux and Fred 1951, ‘53, and ‘55 St. Bon- Morris. iface Native Sons Seniors. Bruce was the face of the Strathcona Curling Club. He won the 1961 Grand Aggregate, at the Manitoba Bonspiel with 18 straight wins. Between 1964 and 1967, his team made four straight appearances in the Manitoba final. Hudson, Hersh Lerner, and Terry Braunstein were known as the Big Three. Bruce won the 1964 and 1967 Manitoba championships. Both times, he narrowly missed winning the Brier. In 1981, he won the Seniors. Bruce served curling in many capacities. In 1967/68, he was president of the Manitoba Curling Association. He was a colour commentator on curling broadcasts. He served as president of the Pine Ridge Golf Club. In 1991, he played on Manitoba's Senior Golf Team. Bruce is a member of the Curling (1994), and Baseball (2003) Halls of Fame. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Manitoba Curling Association, and the Pine Ridge Golf Club. He died on October 8, 2016. Gilbert Perreault was born on Nov. 13, 1950. He led the Montreal Junior Canadiens to the 1969 and 1970 Memorial Cups. He was drafted first in the amateur draft by the Expansion Buffalo Sabres. He was a member of the French Connection line with Rene Robert and Richard Martin. In 1975, the Sabres made the Stanley Cup Finals losing to the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored 512 regular season goals. He won the Calder Trophy in 1971, and the Byng in 1973. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Sabres have retired his number 11. Quarterback Drew Willy was born on Nov. 13, 1986. He set records in both high school and college. He was part of three championship teams: the 2008 University of Buffalo, winners of the MAC championship; the 2010 Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL; and the 2013 Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Rough Riders. In 2014, he joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. During his three years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers he won four top performers of the week awards. Cindy Lamoureux was born on Nov. 13, 1991. In 2016, she defeated an incumbent NDP MLA in the riding of Burrows. In 2017, she became the youngest person in Manitoba history to run for a Manitoba political November 2020

position. She led on the first ballot only to lose by eight votes on the second ballot. In 2019, she switched to the Tyndall Park riding. She increased her margin of victory, defeating another NDP incumbent. As an MLA, she has spoken up for immigrants and the provincial nominee program. She was first to advocate for a senior's advocate. She has campaigned for improved conditions for

people in long term care facilities. She regularly communicates with her constituents by meeting them at a MacDonald's. I was born on Nov. 13, 1950, at 4:21 AM at the Arlington Street Grace Hospital. Fred Morris describes himself as a political activist and sometime political candidate.

FLU

Add a layer this fall. Get a flu shot to help protect your community. The annual seasonal flu vaccine is available to all Manitobans at no charge. It offers protection against four seasonal flu strains. The flu vaccine helps protect you AND people around you. An annual flu vaccine is especially important for: • those at increased risk of serious illness from the flu • their caregivers • their close contacts

Now, more than ever, you can help protect your community. If you are 65 or older, or have a chronic illness, talk to your doctor about also getting a vaccine for pneumonia. One pneumococcal vaccine may give you a lifetime of protection. To get your free flu vaccine, contact your public health nurse, doctor, pharmacist or call Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or toll free 1-888-315-9257.

Learn more at manitoba.ca/flu

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Donors help artists connect with audiences Reflections from Soprano Lara Ciekiewicz on Creating Art during a Pandemic

ince stages went dark in March, Manitoba Opera has been striving to create meaningful performance opportunities for local artists whose livelihoods have disappeared. Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, the company has been able to continue to connect people through the power of opera. Initiatives like the outdoor summer concert in the ruins of the St. Boniface Cathedral, the Opera in the Garden videos, and the recently live-streamed concert, The Sopranos of Winnipeg, (a first for the company!) have provided some singing opportunities for artists in this community. One such artist, soprano Lara Ciekiewicz, shares her thoughts on how meaningful it has been to perform for an audience again and what the pandemic has been like for singers. About Lara Ciekiewicz Winnipeg-born and raised, Lara Ciekiewicz holds a Masters in Music (Opera) from McGill University, a Bachelor of Arts - Honours (Voice) from the University of Winnipeg, and is an alumna of l’Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. Hailed last fall for her “tour-deforce performance” (Winnipeg Free Press) in the title role of Manitoba Opera’s Susannah, Lara has established herself as a dynamic, intelligent, and moving singing-actress. ••• Q. What does being an opera singer mean to you? Lara: Being an opera singer means telling stories that have the power to touch, move, and connect people. I think there is something magical about the unamplified human voice – something that can hit us at our core, disarm us, and open us up to wonder. This, in turn, can allow us to consider new perspectives, other folks’ points

Lara Ciekiewicz as Susannah in the Manitoba Opera presentation of Susannah in 2019. Photo by R. Tinker. of view and their stories, which ultimately create an opportunity to understand more about the human condition. I think this is as true for those of us on the stage, as those in the audience. It is a great privilege to share stories through music. Q. We know that performers and the entertainment industry have been hard hit by COVID-19. How has the pandemic impacted

you, professionally and personally? Lara: It is a very surreal time. Opera is an art form that largely depends on the ability to gather in person, both to create, rehearse, and perform, and that is the very thing we cannot now do. The performing arts have been hit so hard by the pandemic. We are a large ecosystem of professional artists that extend far beyond what you see on the stage. Each has their gift to

bring to the process, and each makes the result that much more rich. Personally, I have lost every contract I had on the books prior to the pandemic. I am grateful to our companies for trying to find ways to continue to make art, and to support their artists. I am also very grateful for every person who has continued to support their arts organizations in whatever way they can through this. That said, we are in an extremely delicate balancing act. We have been given the time to reflect on where our art form needs to go, and how it should grow. We have been given the time to focus on our craft in ways that we can’t always when we are at full tilt. We know that times of great upheaval can also bring about great innovation. However, the opportunities to generate any income are sparse. As with any time of uncertainty, you wonder: What should the plan be moving forward? Q. Since the pandemic hit, you have been featured in three Manitoba Opera initiatives: the Concert in the Cathedral Ruins, the Opera in the Garden video series, and The Sopranos of Winnipeg livestream concert. What has it meant to you to be able to perform? Lara: Performing has allowed me to connect with so many people within this community. When that ability went away, it left a hole. To be able to sing for a live audience again has been very special – that I got to do it in my own community made it even more so. I see performing as connecting. This asks that I put the focus outside of myself and on the work. When I do that, dark times seem a little less bleak. As much as I hope this work can allow an audience to take what it needs from the stage, I know it also helps and changes me for the better.

Ballet rehearsals resume at the RWB Dustin Rodgers

Yayoi Ban in a mask. 6

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

n November, Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company will perform for the first time since February, in a series of performances called Fast Forward. The shows will feature all original choreography created by the dancers, performed in a physically distanced way. In preparation, company dancers have had to adjust their routines in many ways, not least of which is being grouped into smaller cohorts. Yayoi Ban is a soloist with the RWB, who has danced with the company for more than 15 years, and she says that despite the changes she’s glad for the return to rehearsing. “I’m happy that I’m dancing and rehearsing again, even if it is in small groups,” says Yayoi. “Compared to dancing at home, I really appreciate that I can practice on a good floor. Now that I’m back in the studio I can really push myself.” Being back in the studio has at times felt like a different world for the dancers, who now wear masks at all times while in the RWB building, including during rehearsals. In addition, dancers have regimented arrival and departure times, and are only able to dance with the other members of their cohort, changes that minimize risk for the dancers but have

at times been difficult to adjust to. “It’s a bit of a hassle that there’s only eight of us,” says Yayoi, about the segmenting of company dancers into cohorts. “The energy is different, with fewer (not less) people. I miss the others. We’re already a small company, and to be put into groups of eight it feels really small.” The new safety measures have made it possible for the dancers to resume doing what they love, and everyone, including Yayoi, is thrilled by the chance to perform again. Fast Forward, a title which references the RWB’s popular, long-running ballet series from the 80s and 90s, features dancers choreographing on other dancers from their cohort, and for the RWB company, it represents the best opportunity to showcase their talents since the pandemic started. “I want to do well at the show in November, I want to do my best for the audience,” says Yayoi, who finds strength performing with the company. “It’s helpful watching other people dancing, I really enjoy it. I feel good, positive energy in my group. It’s good to have the company back again.” For more information on the RWB’s safety measures and upcoming performances, including Fast Forward and Nutcracker Suite, the December show series, be sure to check out http://www.rwb.org or consider follow the RWB on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. November 2020

What is takes to make a film during COVID-19

ther than staying home, on set is the safest organized into small groups or cohorts to limit conplace you can be in Manitoba right now. tact and facilitate physical distancing. Hand-washing While that was said tongue in cheek by a lo- stations and hand sanitizers are present throughout cal Manitoba producer, it reflects the high standards sets. Productions are hiring entire teams to manage the logistics of maintaining inventory, for COVID-19 safety that every proensuring regular cleaning, and managduction in Manitoba aims to achieve. ing confirmation each day that each The media performing arts industry, person on set has taken the Manitoba like the performing arts produces stoshared health COVID-19 screening ries through people working in very test. Most productions also require evclose physical proximity over several eryone to take their temperature daily. weeks or months. The fact that the The Manitoba Media Production COperformances are recorded on camera VID-19 Safety and Health Guide is and then edited for distribution to the starting point, but each production audiences through broadcast, theatre must consider the particular challengprojections or most services, today via es of their specific locations, scripts, online streaming services has afforded budget and number of professionals the media production industry the opNicole Matiation involved to develop their own specific portunity to continue to work during Movie COVID-19 protocols. the COVID-19 pandemic. This good As with so many aspects of the fortune is not taken lightly. Manitoba Making media production industry, creative productions go to great lengths, and problem-solving and adaptation is at invest significantly, to ensure the safety the forefront of making movies and television in the of all of the artisans, technicians and actors on set. The preparation to return to work safely began COVID-19 pandemic. Each department, on each in May. In consultation with all component of the production, is responsible for ensuring the health industry through committees with locally-owned and safety of everyone on set. The COVID-19 Suproduction company owners, the unions (ACTRA pervisor, often someone with medical training such Manitoba, IATSE 856 and DFC), the City of Win- as nursing, is there as a guide and a resource to renipeg Film and Events Office, the Crown Agency view the plans of each department and to consider Manitoba Film & Music, the Manitoba Film Liaison how best to manage various locations or specific seand Film Training Manitoba, On Screen Manitoba quences to keep everyone safe. Other professionals developed a COVID-19 Safety and Health Guide for with backgrounds as paramedics or first aid respondmedia productions to supplement and enhance Man- ers are also taking on roles of responsibility to help itoba government guidelines. Manitoba was among manage COVID-19 safety on set, on location and in the very first jurisdictions to allow filming activity to the production office. Those who work in the media production indusresume. The Guide, online and onsite training, posters and brochures all reinforce basic messages around try are creative, skilled professionals and passionate about their opportunity to work in the movie busithe new safety protocols. From the outset, productions put in place require- ness, here, in Manitoba. There are some 2,500 proments that everyone on set must wear a mask, and fessionals working in the industry today and, despite in the case of those in close proximity to the actors the production stoppage earlier this year, we are still or subjects in the case of documentary masks, this is seeing new opportunities emerge in every departcombined with plastic visors. Production teams are ment. On Screen Manitoba is launching a refreshed

Every aspect of filming is governed by careful protocols to keep workers safe. web site called Get on Set Manitoba On tourne! (Yes! The media production industry in Manitoba also has a vibrant French-language stream with four active production companies that produce primarily en français.) The web site provides descriptions and training requirements for the many different roles in the media production industry – from documentary filmmaker to digital special effects, to set carpenter, to payroll and accounting. Do you know someone who is creative, people-oriented with training and/or experience in the trades? In bookkeeping? Are you a performing or visual artist looking for professional opportunities within the creative sector? Are you looking to put your customer service, office or logistics abilities to a new test? Take the Get on Set Manitoba On tourne! quiz to see which role is a fit for you. There are many pathways into the media production industry, and On Screen Manitoba, as the provincial industry association is here to help people find their role the media production industry. Nicole Mariation is the Executive Dirctor of On Screen Manitoba.

Over time, a community builds institutions that serve us all

ver the summer, a WSO supporter was helping her mother Museum and Folklorama were started downsize her house in prepara- in 1970, the Winnipeg Folk Festival in tion for a move to a condo. In one of the 1974….and, of course, this list does not drawers she found a cookbook that had include many wonderful cultural organibeen developed as a fundraiser by the zations. The point that I am trying to make Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Womwith this list of dates of establishment en’s Committee in 1958. The cookbook of community cultural organizations is sold for a dollar a copy, and it contains that all of these institutions in our comall sorts of gems of 1958 prairie cookmunity were founded ing. The introduction to because a group of the cookbook describes the community members commitment and contribuworked together to tion of the 700 member make something for our WSO Women’s Commitcommunity to enjoy. tee. The Women’s ComThese groups of volunmittee still exists, and it still teers pulled together the makes a wonderful conresources and support tribution to the orchestra. needed to build organiThis encounter made me zations that could hire think of the generations of professional staff memcommunity members who bers and artists, become have worked to create the Trudy Schroeder employers of many wonderful institutions we Random specialized people, and appreciate in Winnipeg. create art and dance, Notes The Winnipeg Symphotheatre and symphonic ny Orchestra was estabconcerts for the benefit lished in 1948, by a committed group of community members of our community as a whole. All of these organizations, created by who believed that Winnipeg would bencommunity will, generosity, and vision efit from having a symphony orchestra have played a role in making our comoperating in the city. The Winnipeg Art munity a place where we can all enjoy art, Gallery had been established in 1912 as symphonic music, ballet, theatre, musethe first civic art gallery in Canada. The ums, festivals and so much more. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet was founded in work of the founding volunteers contin1939. The Manitoba Theatre Centre was founded in 1958. The Manitoba Opera ues in the ongoing work of board memwas established in 1969. The Manitoba bers and volunteer committees of many types in each of these organizations. The November 2020

Go to whatsupwinnipeg.ca to read the recipes. shared care for these institutions brings together people from many walks of life, political affiliations, professional skills, cultural backgrounds, financial means, and educational backgrounds. I have watched board members who come from radically different political backgrounds start out with mutual distrust and become trusted colleagues and friends over the course of working on the board of an arts organization. Our world needs more of this. Our community needs these institutions to survive and thrive. In a world that is filled with so much divisiveness and arbitrary boundaries, it is refreshing to watch diverse groups of volunteers work together for the good of the whole community. Their efforts, financial generosity, and contributions of time and wisdom is clearly rewarding for all of them, and it is also a real benefit to our society as a whole. The decades of history and generations of volunteer support have made Winnipeg a wonderful place to live and raise a family. We want to ensure that all of these vital

institutions survive the current international health crisis. This is the challenge that our generation faces. We have benefitted from the generosity and work of previous generations, and now we must find ways to support the WSO, the RWB, the WAG, Manitoba Museum and all the others as they fight valiantly to survive. The other day a friend of mine told me that he was just waiting for the WSO to send him a letter asking for financial donations. He knows that we must be struggling, and he wants to help, but he is waiting for an invitation to give a gift. Could all Winnipeggers count this as an invitation to give generously to the arts organizations you love? We all want to be there when it is safe to gather our audiences once more. Now, as we head into the final stretch of 2020, consider how many of these great organizations you could call with your credit card in hand and make a donation. It will make a world of difference. Trudy Schroeder is the Executive Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

In Remembrance

In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. - John McCrae

WAB KINEW

MLA for Fort Rouge wab.kinew@yourmanitoba.ca

NELLO ALTOMARE

MLA for Transcona nello.altomare@yourmanitoba.ca

JAMIE MOSES

MLA for St. Vital jamie.moses@yourmanitoba.ca

DANIELLE ADAMS MLA for Thompson danielle.adams@yourmanitoba.ca

DILJEET BRAR

MLA for Burrows diljeet.brar@yourmanitoba.ca

LISA NAYLOR

MLA for Wolseley lisa.naylor@yourmanitoba.ca

TOM LINDSEY

MLA for Flin Flon tom.lindsey@yourmanitoba.ca

MINTU SANDHU

MLA for The Maples mintu.sandhu@yourmanitoba.ca

JOHN

ORLIKOW CITY COUNCILLOR

MLA for Point Douglas bernadette.smith@yourmanitoba.ca

what is lost makes “ Praising the remembrance dear.

“

BERNADETTE SMITH

| RIVER HEIGHTS/FORT GARRY WARD

MATT WIEBE

MLA for Concordia matt.wiebe@yourmanitoba.ca

William Shakespeare orlikow.ca

510 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B9 (204) 986-5236 | jorlikow@orlikow.ca

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Honouring our men and women in uniform Terry Duguid, MP Winnipeg South

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Hon. Daniel Vandal, MP Saint Boniface-Saint Vital

Hon. Jim Carr, MP Winnipeg South Centre

November 2020

Their sacrifice, our gratitude Continued from page 1

probably see families huddled around their radios listening for war news. Newspaper headlines and the war dead column were read first to see if anyone from the area was listed. News would pass quickly through a community if one of its favorite sons or daughters had been lost. As a Canadian child, you’d receive pennies for an allowance, if you were lucky. If you saved up 10 cents, you could go to the movies. Before the Abbott and Costello feature film, you’d see the Movietone News, showing vivid footage of fierce fighting overseas. The songs of Vera Lynn would be the rage. Meals wouldn’t be fancy because meat and sugar were rationed. Soda pop cost 6¢, a loaf of bread 8¢. Dad couldn’t get new tires for his car because rubber was needed for the war effort. At school, kids knitted mittens and raised money for the Bundles for Britain campaign. Canadians did their part on the home front. Recycling was a way of life. Housewives saved bacon fat and bones to provide glycerine for explosives and surrendered their aluminum pots and pans which were melted down to provide metal for airplanes. Community service groups held scrap drives to collect tin foil and lead. They made bandages and dressings to send overseas. Food, clothing and other essentials were in very short supply in England and Canadians parcelled up “care” packages to help the British. But as a nation we gave so much more. We gave our sons and our daughters, our fathers, our mothers, our men and women to the cause. The names of 44,893

Canadians who never returned are listed in the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Half that number again returned home severely injured, never fully recovering from war’s devastation. Here is but a glimpse of two of the young men who never made it home. One was a young Canadian soldier who wrote in his journal. “Today a bird sang for me. Today I leaned against the strong trunk of a living tree. Today a little lizard ran across my hand. So I am not alone. When I get back to Canada, I’ll remember this. I will cherish all of life, for all life is really one. I will never again be destroyer, though that is what man is. This is my dream that we will learn to live in harmony.” He died outside of Ortona, Italy on a cold December

day in 1943. The other young man lies in a small cemetery in northern France. Among the graves of 2,782 Canadian war dead rests the body of Private Gerard Doré, the youngest Canadian soldier to die in the Battle of Normandy. He was just 16. We should not speak about these men as ones who “gave their lives”. As far as anyone knows who was in the forces, no one gave his life. Most of them died reluctantly, clinging to life as long as they could and fighting back the pain. Some of them were cursing when they died, and others were mercifully deadened both to physical pain and spiritual hopelessness by drugs to die without making too much fuss. And what can we say of these men and women? Perhaps one veteran said it best: “We were never heroes... we just went over and we did our jobs...and we came back – and some in less than one piece...and we helped build up this society and put it where it is today.” Seventy-five years after the end of World War II, there is much to remember. Most important are the people, the men and women who served wherever they were needed. They faced difficult situations bravely and brought honour to themselves, to their loved ones and to their country. They were ordinary Canadians who made extraordinary sacrifices. To our veterans past and present, Thank you for this freedom. Thank you for this great country. Thank you, from this grateful country.

The popular allure of fantasy over reality

“Y

et, as we know, no evil has politicians, and other leaders, How to been more violent or disrup- Win Friends and Influence People, Dale tive or cruel than religion Carnegie stated, “Few people are logidown through history.”- Reverend Thom- cal. Most of us are prejudiced and biased. Most of us are blighted as William Harpur with preconceived notions, Why would a well-rewith jealousy, suspicion, spected Anglican priest fear, envy and pride.” Tom make such a harsh stateHarpur’s friend and colment? It was only, in his league, Northrop Frye, more senior years, when agreed with Carnegie, Reverend Thomas William comparing conventional Harpur (Tom Harpur), people to sheep, “stupid, moved away from the study affectionate, gregarious, of theology and began to and easily stampeded”. study the history of religion Leaders often refer to their did he understand how masubjects as their flock, and levolent religions can be. Wayne Weedon themselves as shepherds. It was a hard pill for Tom Food for The word pastor actually Harpur to swallow when he means shepherd. realized that theology is not Thought Tom Harpur, while relogical. It took several years searching ancient manufor fellow professors at the University of Toronto to convince Tom scripts, came across confirmations of what Harpur that it is the study of history, al- he had been told; the metaphor of the gebra, trigonometry, music, psychology, ruler as the shepherd of his people went science, and even Shakespeare that help back to Egypt, the mother of all subseto develop logic by providing analyti- quent civilisations, where, over five-thoucal thinking. People without logic are no sand years ago, people worshiped Atum, more than puppets, easily manipulated by (God the Father), Ra, (the Holy Spirit), anyone who manages to get hold of their and Horus, (God the Son), also known as Krst, the Light of the World. Horus was strings. In his textbook for business executives, born of a virgin on December 25th. Three

magi announced the birth of Horus, the bringer of peace and eternal life. Travelling with twelve male companions, and carrying a shepherd’s crook on his shoulder, Horus came to be known as the Good Shepherd. Throughout history, Egypt was repeatedly invaded and Egyptian refugees fled to all parts of our World, taking their religions with them. These Egyptian religions morphed over time to become our modern religions which still show signs of Egyptian mythology. Because of science, changes have been made to some of the myths. For example, most modern religions no longer teach that our Sun is a god who revolves around our Earth. Tom Harpur stated, that in all of his years of tending his flock as an Anglican priest as well as studying and teaching theology, he never once came upon any mention of these ancient Egyptian religions, despite evidence staring him right in the face. In his youth, dozens of books about Egyptian religions were readily available. Our Oriental Heritage, a book published in 1935, explains Egypt’s early religions and how they evolved into modern religions. This book was a Book-of-theMonth-Club bestseller and was reviewed by major publications world-wide. The author won a Pulitzer Prize for non-fic-

tion. Somehow, Reverend Harpur overlooked this book. It was only when he began studying religion versus theology that he could see he had been habitually turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to anything which might contradict his beliefs. He came to realise he had been wrong; his blind faith had prevented him from looking at what was hidden in plain view. As he delved more and more into the history of religions, he could see the way religions have been used to manipulate people. Being a very well-known and respected Canadian scholar who wrote books, newspaper columns, and had his own television show, he was confident he could make people understand that their beliefs are fairy tales. He wrote several books to inform the public about his revelations. His books were read by academics but ignored by the general public. He believed most people are the same as he had been, stubbornly holding on to illogical beliefs while refusing to look at any evidence that opposes them. People, it seems, want fantasy, not reality. Perhaps this is why Harry Potter enjoys huge sales, while Tom Harpur’s books do not. Wayne Weedon is an Indigenous Manitoba writer of novels and short stories. To sample his wonderful work go to Wattpad.com.

Drink up! Dehydration past 60 can cause signs of dementia, confusion and worse Dorothy Dobbie

hen old people become confused, the first inclination is to blame it on early signs of Alzheimer’s or senility or a tumour, but the cause could be as simple as dehydration. As we pass age 60, many of us stop feeling thirsty and so don’t take in enough fluids. This can be serious even at age 40 when the proportion of water to overall body weight drops to about 60 per cent in men and 52 per cent in women. After 60, though, that ratio drops again to 52 percent in men and 46 per cent in women. The reason for the gender difference is that men tend to have more muscle than fat and muscle holds more water. Kidney function also deteriorates November 2020

as we get older as they become less efficient at removing toxins from the body, so it takes more water to remove those toxins. Confusion is not the only symptom. A signal that you need water is a dry mouth, gummy tongue or thick or little saliva. Early symptoms include irritability, breathlessness, and inattention. You may feel dizzy, weak or have an unexplained headache. Limbs can suffer cramps. You may feel sleepy. Blood pressure may drop. Certain medications can also contribute to this. In serious cases, the person may suffer heart palpitations, and chest pain. If not rehydrated in time, coma can result followed by death. This is no exaggeration. A friend has twice ended up in emergency thinking he was having a heart attack

when the symptoms were due to lack of fluid in his body. Try to get some liquid replenishment every two hours. Juices, teas, milk, soup, many fruits and vegetables all deliver a healthy dose of water. Keep a glass of water beside you at all times – fill it with ice to keep it refreshing. When you are well-hydrated, life gets better. Constipation is reduced and you have a reduced risk of bladder infections or other colorectal and bladder complications such as cancer. Staying well hydrated can even reduce the risk of a fatal heart event. The general recommendation is to drink 40 ounces of water or other liquids each day. Or to break it down to your personal needs, calculate your weight in pounds, divide by three and drink that many ounces each 24

hours. So if you weigh 150 lbs, you will need 50 ounces of fluids a day. Does that seem like a lot? It’s not, if you break it down by hour. Assuming you are awake at least 16 hours a day (and you should try to get eight hours of sleep a night) and you need 40 ounces of liquids for the day, it works out to 2.5 ounces an hour or about the same as what would be delivered by eating an orange or an apple. In fact, most vegetables are more than 80 per cent water and even eggs and bananas are 75 per cent water. Cucumbers contain the most water at 96 percent, but celery, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers – they are all up there in the ‘90s. Soup for lunch can deliver another punch of fluid. It is not that hard to stay hydrated, but you need to be conscious of the requirement! whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Go North young man, go North. . . There will never be a better time for Manitobans to see the polar bears. The hotels have room and the prices are good. This time next year, everything will be booked and it will take a lot more money to enjoy this world class visit.

olar bears are rather conspicuous animals, seeming too large for subtleties. But from their name to their ability to hunt by stealth, “nanuq” are full of surprises that belie a first glance. The sea bear, as its Latin name declares, can swim for miles, from Greenland to Iceland by some accounts; and the shaggy creatures follow nature's rule that the best rides are free ones, sailing upon the ice wherever it takes them, hopefully finding seals and safe Northern passages. A reverse amphibious Nathan Giede assault is already taking Looking place in Churchill, and to North the North: lone males, females with cubs, yearlings, and old fogeys are on the march to the sea, as the ice gathers. The time for somnambulance – which greatly interests NASA as it might apply to those of us on two legs – comes to an end; the walking hibernation is abandoned so that calories might be made up after a long summer. That means hunting seals on the ice floes growing in the Bay. This is high tide for tourism in the North. Of course, the pandemic has lowered the usual number of visitors, particularly the legions that visit us from the United States. But as mentioned previously, the staycations that Canadians have embarked on have yielded more local tourists, all of whom are discovering the second largest country on earth they call home. As a last exhortation, this will be the only year for walkons: now is the time to visit the Polar Bear Capital of the world. As the temperature continues to drop below zero, the townsfolk have begun to don their traditional winter garb; of course imported, synthetic jackets and pants are plentiful, but many still trust old leather or rawhide, with rabbit, fox, or wolf fur trim, large togs or buttons, and seal skin mittens which dangle from cords around the wrist. All of these products can be purchased in town, or ordered using easy measure-

The bears are heading out to sea. ments for gifts, as Christmas is just around the corner. Darkness has begun to take hold of the surrounding area, making the aurora visible from even the street light flooded road. There are numerous tours available that take one out into the completely light-pollutionfree skies to observe the green and purple hues. Long exposure is the best or if you lack the technical skills as I do, several stills are available at gift shops in town. The most iconic feature? Either the wigwam or the inukshuk with the lights dancing in the background. But it is called bear season for a reason. Everyone is here to observe the apex predator of not just the North but indeed the entire mammal world. Sometimes the shaggy bruins shadow box each other or false charge another bear, which makes for great pictures. For the most part, especially mother and cubs, the bears are seen trundling towards the shoreline, in search of seals or ice to begin their winter journey to anywhere the floe will take them in the Hudson Bay. Observing the sea bear occurs from two vantage points: either the large, monster-truck-sized Crawlers that rumble across the tundra, with full washroom facilities and meals onboard; or, from the air via helicopter, with two or three companions, connected by

headset to the pilot and each other. These trips can happen multiple times over the course of a five day stay so that guests have every opportunity to see the bears out in their natural habitat as much as possible. In the erstwhile, lessons in crafting, as well as tours via dogsled are available. After long days of adventure, people retire to food and drink in their lodgings or around town. It should be noted that as of this entry, social distancing and masking rules are being followed in the Great White North, due to the rise in cases South of 58. Be sure to bring various and sundry PPE in order to enter every establishment, activity, or vehicle. Call ahead to clarify any local protocols. At the conclusion of bear season, with guests long gone and staff shifting from North to Rocky Mountains or Laurentian Resorts, it will come time to close up both housing and shops. As the month wanes, it will be the memories that warm the heart, as the wind blows off the Bay. Nathan Giede is a guide for Lazy Bear Expeditions. His Indigenous heritage informs his understanding and love for the land and its inhabitants. The Lazy Bear Lodge is a picturesque, hand hewn log inn with a lovely restaurant and the best coffee in town.

Art gladdens the snow chilled heart Indigenous artist Catherine Blackburn at NorVA

nother month into the second express her own feelings and experiences wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that speak to the complexities of memory, with the re-imposition of restric- history and identity. Her art merges contions and as we write this, little skiffs temporary concepts with elements of traof falling snow (not lying as the air and ditional Dene culture that create dialogue ground temperatures are not yet that between traditional art forms and new incold) are leading to even more isolation terpretations of them.” Catherine has been featured in several and disconnection from each other. It important exhibitions such encourages us to think of as the Bonavista Biennale, artists who often work in 2017 as one of only 26 Caisolation but who just as nadian artists and the Conoften produce works that temporary Indigenous Art bring us together, remind Biennial 2018/La Biennale us of our common humand’Arte Contemporain Auity and teach us that we are tochtone (BACA) in Monmore the same than differtreal. She has received present. tigious awards and grants NorVA Centre and for her work which include Gallery in Flin Flon has a Governor General History mounted an exhibition that Award and the Elizabeth has the potential to do all Elly Spencer Greenshields Foundation of this in New Age Wargrant. She is affiliated with riors by Catherine BlackThe arts from impressive galleries like the burn. Where to start to deup here Art Gallery of Ontario, the scribe its impact? With the Remai Modern in Saskaartist, the show, the lessons toon and Slate Gallery in Regina as well learned and yet to be taught? The artist: Catherine Blackburn was as collectives in Victoria, B.C. and Los born in 1984 in Ile-a-la-Crosse, Sask. and Angeles. The show: it is visually beautiful, stungrew up in Choiceland, Sask., approximately 300 km from Flin Flon. She is of ning actually, in its scope. Even though Dene and European ancestry and a mem- NorVA’s Gallery space is small, say by ber of the English River First Nation in Winnipeg Art Gallery standards, the exhinorth-eastern Saskatchewan. She studied bition is powerful in impact when visitors at University of Saskatchewan, obtaining come through the door. The limitations her BFA in 2007. She works primarily in of social distancing play into this impact beading, painting, jewelry and photogra- in that there is the sense that one is alone phy to address Canada’s colonial past, in- to feel the colour and the beauty of the formed by personal and family narratives. show and then to contemplate what it From her biography, “...she is inspired to means. 10

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The show is BIG. There are enormous photographs on the walls of Indigenous women warriors wearing traditional ‘armour’ that is drawn from the female clothing of different Nations, designed to bring attention to the diversity of Canada’s Indigenous women. The armour itself is also on display, on body forms throughout the space. Breastplates and back pieces, headdresses and chokers beaded in traditional floral or geometric designs but with contemporary and futuristic insertions, like the fact that all the beadwork is plastic Perler beads ironed together. This is a commentary on both consumerism and ingenuity and adaptation skills of indigenous women. The lessons: according to the Exhibition Statement that accompanies the show, New Age Warriors is “...a celebration of the strength, resilience and ingenuity of

[the artist's] ancestors and the women in her life today.” Catherine Blackburn has written curriculum links for high school students to explore the exhibit from their learning perspectives. Many of the pieces in the show incorporate words, Dene and Cree syllabics and American Sign Language to remind that loss of language has been so destructive to indigenous peoples in Canada. Catherine emphasizes matriarchy throughout the exhibition as a positive force that creates “environments of love and support in Indigenous heritage.” There is a great deal left for many of us yet to learn about Canada’s history of colonization and we are grateful that some of the strictures of this time and place give us the internal space to look and learn. We are also grateful that artists like Catherine Blackburn have taken the time to teach us. Miigwetch. November 2020

Amazon Partners with the BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR Program for the 2020 Holiday Season!

othing stops Santa from delivering gifts, not even a global pandemic! The Be A Santa To A Senior program is more important than ever before for many isolated and/or in need older adults living in the City of Winnipeg. It is important for the community to rally and let older Winnipeggers know that they are not alone this holiday season. A & O: Support Services for Older Adults is proud to have been involved with this incredibly innovative and meaningful program since it was launched by Home Instead Senior Care in Winnipeg in 2008. With an aging population doing their best to manage during these unprecedented times, this program is more important than ever before! A & O works with some of the most isolated and at risk older adults through our Connect Program, Senior Centre Without Walls, Elder Abuse Services, Senior Immigrant Settlement Services and the Safe Suite Program.

Last year the program delivered over 6000 gifts to older adults in the community. A & O is proud to partner with Home Instead and Amazon which will allow us to provide personalized gifts to older adults this holiday season while ensuring the safety of both the older adult recipient and the donor. Here’s how you can make a difference for an older adult this holiday season: • On November 15, 2020 the virtual tree will go live at www.beasantatoasenior.com • Select a tag with the older adults name and gift request • Purchase the gift(s) online, gift wrapping and personal messages are available along with FREE Prime shipping • Your gift will be delivered to the older adult(s) you selected A & O would like to thank the hundreds of individual

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donors from last year’s campaign. Your time and generosity were greatly appreciated by the older adult recipients and we hope you get involved again this year! Emma, one of last year’s gift recipients, called us after the holidays and said: “I received such a nice present! Thank you for the marvelous mitts, two kinds of candy, a circular scarf and a box of lotions. It was all so unexpected and lovely. That was the only present I got this Christmas. Thank you so very much.” During these challenging times it is a pleasure to be involved in an initiative that brings joy to so many! A & O is proud to partner with Home Instead and Amazon who have found innovative solutions to continue to provided holiday gifts in the safest way possible to those in need. For more information, please contact A & O: Support Services for Older Adults Inc. Visit: www.aosupportservices.ca or call: (204) 965-6440

We garden in our minds all year round. If you are looking for the perfect gift to keep the people you love happy this winter and into summer, we have the perfect gift. Order a subscription to Canada’s Local Gardener magazine (formerly Manitoba Gardener, Ontario Gardener and Alberta Gardener, now rolled into one spectacular edition and published four times a year.)

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November 2020

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November 2020

Income security

Financial advisors are in many ways like physicians. t is difficult to talk about income security in this time of a pandemic, with the election in the Unit- Doctors assess your physical health and then give aded States and all the economic chaos around gov- vice from their professional knowledge base and the same is true of professional financial ernment aid; the uncertainty around planners. They look at your financial stimulus to the economy, the number situation and give advice from their of unemployed and what it all will professional experience and often from mean to those on government earned years of finding varieties of successpensions and those using savings to ful options that have helped another finance their way in retirement. So family’s experience. The decision still much uncertainty and rhetoric makes remains with the family asking the one feel less than secure in these trouquestion. Being as fully informed as bled times. possible is the answer. Knowledge is In the research I have read, one well Retired Teachers the power you have to make the right respected certified financial planner Association of decision. gives this advice to people asking the Manitoba Often help is free. www.canada.ca/ question, “Where is my money gopersonalfinance www.manitobagov.ca/ ing to come from?” Many people have personalfinance for help from federal either unfortunately lost their job or have been put on temporary leave or are finding that and provincial sources, and www.getyourbenefits.ca ends just don’t meet with inflation. He comments from “It’s A Fact: Better Income Can Lead to Betthat a word that comes to mind that no one wants ter Health,” the booklet that describes many different to hear is “budget” but also that it doesn’t have to be government income benefit programs. A new telenegative. It can be as simple as taking a piece of pa- phone service is 211. Check www.unitedwaywinniper, folding it down the middle and using the heading peg.ca/211phonesservice for information. There are on one side “What money is realistically coming in?” supports available for older adults, for families and and the other side “What money is going out.” Start individuals even listed in the telephone book. Often with the necessities of life, shelter, food and medica- the stress comes from the change in the way we now tions. The decision for any of the rest of the expenses need to live because of the pandemic. Although it is comes from how wants and needs are defined within difficult it is also an opportunity to learn from the a family. What one family determines as a need may change. The Financial Agency of Canada has posted be different than another. There are some things on an article on why emergency funds are important. the list that are wants that are really needs for both That is a realistic way to plan for an unforeseen event physical and mental health of the person concerned. that may happen again in the future. Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM) Those are personal family decisions that are hard to reconcile and often stressful discussions within the is located at 206 – 1555 St. James St., Winnipeg. Call family. A professional financial advisor is often the 1-204-889-3660, email info@rtam.mb.ca or go online to www.rtam.mb.ca. answer.

Sri Lankan Seniors display singing talents

The Boulton

River Heights Retirement Community

Where the next great part of your life begins

45 Boulton Bay

Conveniently located at the end of Boulton Bay off Kenaston Blvd. South of Grant Ave. in River Heights

Senaka Samarasinghe

ri Lankan 55+ has been organizing monthly virtual meetings due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Manitoba. On Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon we held our get together. We had a good turnout with 30 members participating. Two of our member families have moved to Ontario and BC. They too joined with us. When our Board of Directors met to plan the occasion, it was identified that there are members with singing talents who have old hits. Therefore, the Board decided to offer them a chance to show off

their talents. Five songs were sung by our members. Each singer sang two old hits. Sadhika and Sarath joined from BC and Upali and Durga joined from Kingston, Ont. There was a short drama performed by four of our members in Winnipeg. It was recorded in a backyard earlier and uploaded to YouTube to be played during the event. We have to be thankful for Udesh Gamage for his work on the short video drama, for lining up songs and copying all to YouTube. The epidemic has affected in-person meetings of seniors so this was a good opportunity for everyone to enjoy a fellowship event. Senaka A. Samarasinghe is the president of Sri Lankan 55+.

Gillian Aldous Podiatry

Podiatry treatments available Monday to Friday in the office, home visits arranged: • Difficult to cut, thickened, ingrown, fungal nails • Callus, hard skin, corns • Warts • Diabetic advice and assessment • Biomechanical assessments and orthotics dispensing if needed • Advice on footwear Blue Cross coverage accepted

• One & two bedroom suites • Weekly housekeeping • Continental Breakfast, Dinner • Planned activities • In-suite washer & dryer • Guest Suite • Private Dining Room • Shuttle bus

204.475.4500 www.theboulton.ca

Suite 320, 1600 Ness Avenue, Winnipeg | Phone: 204-504-8986 | Email: Gillyp10@Hotmail.com November 2020

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Directory Northern AREA Jubilee Recreation of Cranberry Portage Legion Hall, 217 2nd Ave. SE, Cranberry Portage 472-3031 Snow Lake Seniors 71 Balsam St., Snow Lake 358-2151 The Pas Golden Agers 324 Ross Ave., The Pas 623-3663 Interlake AREA Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre 17 North Colonization Rd., Gimli 642-7909 www.gimlinewhorizons.com Gordon Howard Centre 384 Eveline St., Selkirk 785-2092 www.gordonhoward.ca Grand Marais & District Seniors 90 Matilda Ave., Grand Marais 998-1509 Riverton & District Friendship Centre 24 Main St., Riverton 378-2800 South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st St. W., Stonewall 467-2582 www.si55plus.org Eastman AREA Beau-head Senior Centre 645 Park Ave., Beausejour 268-2444 East Beaches Social Scene 3 Ateah Rd., Victoria Beach 756-6468 www.ebseniorscene.ca East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road, Victoria Beach 756-6471 www.ebseniorscene.ca Pat Porter Active Living Centre 10 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach 320-4600 www.patporteralc.com Central AREA Carmen Active Living Centre 47 Ed Belfour Drive, Carmen 745-2356 www.carmanalc.com Comfort Drop In Centre 31 Main St., Erickson 636-7895 Crystal City Friendship Club 117 Broadway St., Crystal City 873-2091

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Dauphin Multi-Purpose Senior Centre 55 1st Ave. SE, Dauphin 638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com Grandview Drop In 432 Main St., Grandview 546-2772 Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Rd. N., Portage la Prairie 857-6951 www.hermanpriorcentre.com Neepawa Drop In Centre 310 Davidson St., Neepawa 476-5103 www.neepawa.ca/district-drop-in-center Morden Activity Centre 306 N. Railway St., Morden 822-3555 www.mordenseniors.ca Minnedosa 50+ Centre 31 Main St. S., Minnedosa 867-1956

Winnipeg AREA 20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200 - 20 Fort St., Winnipeg (204) 227-7104 Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre Winnipeg 527 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg (204) 586-4595 www.asrcwpg.org A&O: Senior Centre Without Walls 200 - 280 Smith St., Winnipeg (204) 956-6440 www.aosupportservices.ca Archwood 55 Plus 565 Guilbault St., Winnipeg (204) 416-1067 archwood55plusinc.weebly.com Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre 51 Morrow Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-9152 www.barbaramitchellfrc.ca

Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 339-1701 www.gwensecter.com Headingley Senior Services 5353 Portage Ave., Winnipeg (204) 889-3132 Ext. 3 www.headingleyseniorservices.ca Winakwa Active Seniors Club 980 Winakwa Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4418 www.winakwacc.ca Manitoba Korean Seniors c/o 388 Waverley St., Winnipeg (204) 837-3470 www.ksam.ca Pembina Active Living 50 Barnes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-0839 www.pal55plus.com Rady Jewish Community Centre 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg (204) 480-7550 www.radyjcc.com

Pilot Mound Fellowship Club 203 Broadway, Pilot Mound

Bleak House Centre 1637 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 338-4723 www.bleakhousecentre.com

Plumas Seniors Club 102 White St., Plumas 386-2029

Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Ave. W., Winnipeg (204) 632-8367

Rainbow Resource Centre 170 Scott St., Winnipeg (204) 474-0212, Ext. 211 www.rainbowresourcecentre.org

Portage Services for Seniors 40A Royal Road N., Portage la Prairie 239-6312

Broadway Seniors Resource Centre 823 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg (204) 772-3533 www.bsrc.ca

South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 204-478-6169 www.swsrc.ca resources@swsrc.ca

Centro Caboto 1055 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 896-1962

Southdale Seniors 254 Lakewood Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4599

Charleswood Senior Centre 5006 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 897-5263 www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org

St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre 3 - 203 Duffield St., Winnipeg (204) 987-8850 www.stjamescentre.com

Creative Retirement MB 448 Burnell St., Winnipeg (204) 949-2569 www.creativeretirementmanitoba.ca

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

Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St., Sandy Lake (204) 585-2411 Treherne Friendship Centre 190 Broadway St., Treherne 723-2559 Winkler Senior Centre 102 - 650 South Railway Ave., Winkler 325-8964 winkler55plus.com Brandon AREA Brandon Seniors for Seniors Coop 311 Park Ave., East, Brandon 571-2050 www.brandonsfors.ca Prairie Oasis Centre 241 8th St., Brandon 727-6641 Age Friendly Committee of Council - Brandon 638 Princess Ave., Brandon 729-2259 Killarney Service for Seniors 203 South Railway (204) 523-7115

Crescent Fort Rouge United Church 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg (204) 475-6011 Dakota Comm. Centre - Dakota 55+ Lazers 1188 Dakota St., Winnipeg (204) 254-1010 E206 www.dakotacc.com Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre 180 Poplar Ave., Winnipeg (204) 669-0750 www.facebook.com/eekalc Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg (204) 669-1710 www.gnalc.ca

Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave., Winnipeg (204) 222-9879 Transcona Retired Citizens Centre 328 Whittier Ave. West, Winnipeg (204) 222-8473 Vital Seniors 3 St. Vital Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-0555 www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association (204) 291-9028 www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca

November 2020

Home cooked Southern Fried Chicken

BE SAFE

AND CONNECTED

especially now.

ometimes my mind craves chicken. I know, I rest overnight, typically 24 hours. Whisk milk, eggs and 1 ½ tablespoons Season-All hear you say, we all do! The thing about chicken is that it is a very versatile meat; there are so together in a large bowl. Remove the chicken from the fridge, drain, then place the chickmany ways to cook it, from cold to hot, en pieces into the batter mixture, enboiled to roasted, and always ending up suring they are covered completely. with something wonderful. Place flour, corn-meal, oregano and You know what it is like walking into 1 ½ tablespoons Season-All inside a any of the local fast food fried chicken Ziploc bag. Shake well until all ingreestablishments, the mouth watering dients mixed together. aroma that attacks your taste buds. The Slowly add the chicken pieces to the craving that already exists now leads to bag – two at a time should do the trick. a need and I am guessing, like me, you Seal the bag each time, then massage end up ordering way too much. well, ensuring the chicken is covered Here is my own version of Southern completely with flour. Once the pieces Fried Chicken. The beauty of cooking are well coated, remove from the bag your own chicken is that it can be as Ian Leatt and place on a wire rack to rest. Conspicy or tame as you like. The trick is tinue with this exercise until all chicken in the cooking and adding the perfect Foodies is covered. flavours. For a flavourful, but not too Heat a shallow layer of oil to 360 despicy, chicken, this is perfect for you. grees F, then slowly add pieces of chicken, trying not to stick them together. Depending on the size of your Ingredients 1 whole chicken divided into 10 pieces. (2 legs, 2 pan, this may take a couple of times. I managed five pieces then the pan was full. Place a glass lid on top thighs, 2 wings breast split in 2 making 4) and cook for five minutes. 4 cups of water Check the chicken, when it appears golden brown. 3 teaspoons salt Turn it over again for a further five minutes with the 1 cup skim milk lid on. Remove the lid and continue cooking for a fur2 eggs ther twenty minutes, or until cooked. The tempera3 tablespoons Season-All ture of cooked chicken is 165 degrees F? 1 cup regular flour Serve with whatever you like, a salad, fries, and it 2 ½ tablespoons cornmeal could even be with pasta. 1 ½ tablespoons dried oregano Tip, when frying, don’t let it get too dark, this dries the chicken. If it is frying too quickly turn the temDirections: Having divided the chicken into 10 equal pieces, perature down slightly. Ian Leatt is general manager of Pegasus Publications place them inside a large sealable container. Cover with water and salt. Place inside the fridge leave to and a trained chef.

Taking the fear out of the most dangerous room in your home

hen we are young, we haven’t a care in the world, and as we progress through life we learn to adapt to all of those experiences, forever learning and developing new skills while passing on our words of advice to the next generation. Where am I going with all of this? The family home! That’s right, the home you purchased as a young couple. The home you lived in raising your family. The home that you currently live in, but perhaps, like many, the home that is raising fears about how you will cope in the future. I know “fears” is an odd word to use, but Brent Poole there are some places Home that the bravest of us Improvements now worry about having to face. The bathroom? How do we make the bathroom a place that holds no fears? There are a number of small adjustments you November 2020

can make so your bathroom and your whole home can become a safer place. • Handrails • Lever handles • Lever handle taps • Scald-proof taps • Comfort height toilet • Walk in shower • Shower wand • Heated towel rails • Bathtub Insert • Grab bars These small improvements can lead to living at home longer. No more worrying about downsizing, you have more time to reside where all your memories and personal comforts are. Comfort is what is always needed. Care and consideration for you is a paramount concern. Connect with a reputable renovator and they will help you to overcome potential dangers, making you that much more secure and independent. Brent Poole is the owner operator of Handy Hands Construction, which he has run with his father Jim since 1997. A carpenter by trade, Brent enjoys all types of projects. “We’re not happy until you are happy!”

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Legislature restoration project I n 2019, the Manitoba Legislative Assembly passed This committee will provide advice and guidance on the The Legislative Building Centennial Restoration long term restoration plan. Our committee is chaired and Preservation Act. The purpose of this is to fund by myself as Speaker of the Manitoba Legislative Asthe upkeep of our beautiful Legislative Building. This sembly and Roberta Christianson who is also Chair of year marks the 150th anniversary of our province and the Manitoba Foundation for the Arts. The committee importantly, the centennial of the Manitoba Legislature. members are each experts on important facets that relate When it was built in 1920, this building was the one of to this building restoration. We have people who are exthe most impressive and grand buildings in all of North perts in architecture, engineering, history, a former long America. And rightfully so. Winnipeg time Legislative grounds keeper, and the was a booming centre with a population long time Legislative building manager, growing rapidly. Our geographic location to name a few. Each of these committee nurtured our standing as an important members has a knowledgeable perspective transportation hub, we are after all the that will help to guide these projects on a gateway to the west. Agriculture was and strong path forward. continues to be an important economic The Legislative Building Centennial driver in Manitoba. These factors are repRestoration and Preservation Act sets out resented by our Golden Boy who is moda 15 year plan. Any restoration project in a eled after the Roman god for the spirit of unique and 100 year old building will need enterprise and holds wheat in one arm. to be well thought out and completed to Details like these are abundant throughthe highest standard. It’s important that out our building and call to attention just we understand many of these projects are how much thought and planning went enormous undertakings that need time to Myrna Driedger into this architectural and design marvel. execute. This 15 year time frame allows for Broadway Despite working in the Manitoba Legisthe proper levels of research, planning, and Journal lative Building for a number of years, I labour to be input into these important continue to be inspired everyday by the projects. fascinating aspects of our building. The Anyone who drove down Broadway over the summer design of this place was forward thinking and planned will have noticed scaffolding built up around the front for long term population growth. Just think, all those of the Legislature. This was one of the first restoration years ago builders placed more seats in the chamber than projects undertaken. Cleaning the exterior limestone there were MLAs- an ode to the expected population is part of the overall exterior stone restoration. A few growth and the need for an increase in provincial repre- methods were used to clean the stone including water sentatives. misting, steam application, and chemical cleaners. This Any building that is 100 years old will need upkeep, project took place over three months and has made an but especially a building as large, as utilized, and as sym- impactful difference. Just look at the example of the bolic as our Legislature. For many years, the upkeep was Sphinxes – what a difference! pushed down the line. Now, we’ve reached the point in Currently, a restoration project underway is the rowhich we must invest in this building for upkeep and tunda project. This project includes painting the domed restoration. In my role as Speaker, I have been tasked ceiling and improving the lighting. The rotunda is one with co-chairing the Manitoba Legislative Restoration of the most remarkable interior places of our legislature and Preservation Committee. I am so honoured and and a place I am very familiar with. Every day that the grateful to lend my voice to this important project. House is sitting, the Speaker’s parade walks through the

The Legislature gets a face lift (before and after). What a difference a bit of cleaning can make to these iconic statues. rotunda into the Chamber. What an interesting experience it was to walk through the scaffolding on October 7 when the House resumed with the Speech from the Throne! I am honoured to be a part of this significant endeavour. The Manitoba Legislative Building is a gem and needs to be treated with great care and respect. The restoration taking place over the next decade and a half will ensure that this building is here and standing strong for the future generations. Hon. Myrna Driedger is MLA for Roblin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Mickey & Bunny were bigger than the Guess Who

n the mid 1960s, the biggest selling Manitoba- over 10,000 copies. “Mickey was the driving force,” based recording act was not the Guess Who but Bunny insists. “He had so much energy.” Mickey Ukrainian language country duo Mickey & Bun- understood the entertainment business and how to ny. Their recording of Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is make money. At their peak in the mid ‘60s he boasted Your Land, sung in both Ukrainian and English, sold that the couple earned $60,000 to $75,000 annually over 70,000 copies making them one of the most suc- and purchased a brand new Cadillac every year. Mickey & Bunny’s success was based on an ability cessful recording artists in Western Canada. Mickey & Bunny recorded for local V-Records es- to sing songs in both languages, a style known as “half na piv”, half Ukrainian, half English. tablished in 1962 by Alex Groshak who Their big hit, This Land Is Your Land, operated out of his home on Fleury was presented in that style. “We were Place in Windsor Park. Groshak was helping preserve the Ukrainian lana visionary who saw a vast untapped guage for young people,” states Bunmarket in the Ukrainian-Canadian ny. “That song really connected with community for ethnic music. “I feel younger people. We also introduced that Ukrainian music is very unique and them to traditional Ukrainian music one-of-a-kind given to us by previous they had inherited but didn’t know generations. It should be preserved for about.” Their success came quickly. future generations,” he stated in a 2005 “We were playing the Winnipeg Auradio interview. The inability of Ukraiditorium and Mickey looked out the nians in Canada to import Ukrainianwindow at all these people standing language recordings due to the Cold John Einarson outside waiting to get in. He thought War created a significant demand for Local Music there must be someone else performthat music to warrant Groshak starting Spotlight ing next door.” his own record label. The duo released 13 albums for VV Records featured artists such as Records and toured Canada more than Tommy Buick, Jim Gregrash (no relation to Joey Gregorash), Peter Hnatiuk, John Yuzyk, a dozen times, selling out Toronto’s Massey Hall The Royal Polka Kings, Peter Lamb, the Primrose for three nights and appearing at Detroit’s Ford AuTrio, Mae Chwaluk, Joe Jedraski, Anna Kraichy, and ditorium. They even played in Las Vegas. But their Peter Picklyk, all well-known in the Ukrainian com- strongest base remained rural Western Canada where munity, playing and singing popular Ukrainian songs. they toured often, appearing on television and radio. But the most consistently successful V-Records artist “They were cultural ambassadors unifying the mostly isolated rural Ukrainian communities as well as genwas Mickey & Bunny. Ethelbert-born Mickey (Modest Sklepowich) and erations,” notes musicologist Brian Cherwick. Early on, Mickey & Bunny recruited Winnipeg’s Bunny (Orysia Ewanchuk) from Rosa met serendipitously. “We actually met in the middle of the Arling- D-Drifters 5 as backing band on the road and for reton Bridge,” chuckles Bunny. “I was in a car with a cordings. Formed by the Roman (aka Romanyshyn) friend who knew Mickey and when we saw Mickey brothers, Dave on accordion and bass and Tony on coming in the other direction we stopped in the mid- guitar, originally from Fraserwood MB, plus Ihor dle of the bridge. Mickey asked for my phone number ‘Yogi’ Klos on fiddle, Mike Klym on drums, and saxoand called me the next day.” Playing guitar and sing- phone player Andy Pokolinski, they auditioned for ing since his early teens, Mickey was a pharmacist by Mickey and were hired on the spot. “I made more trade while Bunny was a school teacher (she would money the first night with Mickey & Bunny than I later teach Ukrainian language classes). They married did in a whole month working as a draftsman,” notes in 1957. Under the name Mickey & Bunny Sheppard Dave Roman. Besides working with Mickey & Bunny, the Dthey began performing in bars where Groshak spotted them and signed them. Their debut album, Mickey & Drifters 5 also recorded on their own for V-Records, Bunny Sing Ukrainian Country Music, in 1964 sold releasing five albums of Ukrainian dance music in16

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His Worship Mayor Stephen Juba presenting a Community Service Award to Mickey and Bunny at the Winnipeg Civic Auditorium. cluding On Tour, At A Ukrainian Concert, Traditional and Original Ukrainian Songs and Ukrainian Dance Favourites. “The albums came about because Mickey Sheppard had his own studio in his house at 11 Gillia Drive in West Kildonan,” says Dave. Versatility was the band’s calling card. “We always thought of ourselves as a rock ‘n’ roll cover band but we could play anything,” states Dave. In 1965 the D-Drifters 5 released an album of Beatles and British Invasion pop songs sung in Ukrainian. It was a hit. “Yogi and I and my mother translated them,” notes Dave. Groshak dubbed the band “the Ukrainian Beatles”. Mickey & Bunny divorced in the early ‘70s but continued to perform and record for a few more years. Mickey then went out on his own (at one point employing future blues guitar great Billy Joe Green) while Bunny embarked on a teaching career up north for several years. Their hit version of This Land Is Your Land received official recognition with inclusion in the National Archives in Ottawa. “We couldn’t believe how two small town people could create such a big ta-do,” reflects Bunny. “The Ukrainian community loved us and loved that music. It was a glorious 8 to 10-year run.” November 2020

Something to celebrate

25 years later, the Preferred Perch is still blazing trails in Manitoba

ovember holds some important dates for The line with the nature theme of the store but brought Preferred Perch. First, November 1st marks a new clientele. People that are interested in this line the 25th anniversary of the store’s opening! are those with geological interests in the specimens. Second, later in the month, I celebrate my 50th birth- They often seek out unusual formations, look for rare pieces, or even the region they are from. day! I often question where the time has There is also a metaphysical aspect to gone but seriously! To think I have dedrocks and crystals. Many ancient cultures icated half of my life to my store really such as the Mayans used them for many is unbelievable. It has been a wonderreasons: carrying certain stones when ful ride with many experiences, meeting going to battle was said to protect those many people and making many friendwho fought. Ancient Egypt had strong ships along the way. There is no quesbeliefs in stones and many of the mumtion there were also many hardships but mies that have been unearthed are often it was all part of this amazing journey found with stones in their tombs. They that continues today. believed these stones would help those The Preferred Perch began as being who passed to have a safe journey into a first for Manitoba birders, a place for the next life among other beliefs. Many quality wild bird products. Being the Sherrie Versluis of these uses have carried on into today’s avid nature nut I am, I used to see all Feathered world but most people just enjoy the these amazing wild bird products in rocks and crystals for their beauty. Home magazines that were only sold in the Friends décor has taken a real shine to adding U.S. It felt quite special to be the first beautiful, natural rock formations as tastore to bring these types of products to Manitoba. The next step we took was to hire a carpen- ble settings, feature pieces in entrance ways, or even ter to build our own line of feeders, custom designed something as simple as glass jars filled with colourful for the species seen here. We also brought in a wide va- tumbled stones placed in just the right spot. What makes The Preferred Perch so unique is that riety of premium food choices from local farmers and abroad that were incomparable to qualities or selec- we have our three main lines along with many great things in between. Organic teas and triple certified tions found in hardware and department stores. About five years later, it was time to expand the busi- coffee, wind chimes, bone china, puzzles, organic esness a bit so we moved into nature-themed gifts and sential oils, sterling silver gemstone jewelry, beeswax garden décor. The goal was to find unique, quality candles, and so much more. It has been an honour to bring all these wonderful items for all nature lovers. The internet was really not as extensive as it is today so trade shows were the main items to Manitoba over the years. I am very grateful to avenue to seek out suitable products. This side of the all the long-time customers and their amazing support. store has always been a fun and enjoyable area to look Many of you have been with us from the start and have through with an ever-changing selection. To this day, been great promoters of the store. I share in this 25 many customers say it is their secret gift shop because years of success with you! To all of the new customthey can always find that special item and enjoy the ers, we are so pleased you have found your way to this Manitoba-made treasure and look forward to introducamount of choices and price-ranges. The next venture The Preferred Perch diversified ing you to all we offer. It has been a wonderful 25 years into was the world of rocks and crystals. This kept in and I look forward to many more!

These pretty bone china cups are from the Preferred Perch. The COVID-19 situation certainly has been a challenge for everyone and every business. The one thing I would like to remind you all of is that nature is our greatest medicine. Being at home more has made many of us slow down a bit and take a look at what is around us. Many of you got into feeding the birds and found the joy and delight they can bring. They really can lift your spirits and take your mind off the stresses in the world. It is important to keep healthy both mentally and physically so enhancing your home, yard, or even your balcony with a touch of nature is very healing. I wish you all the best in health and wellness and encourage you all to support all the great little shops we have in and around Manitoba so that they too can celebrate a 25 year milestone and beyond! Sherrie Versluis owns the Preferred Perch on St. Mary’s Road. Happy Birthday, Sherrie!

What’s age got to do with it?

We are charged up and ready to go, until we aren’t so don’t waste it! Dorothy Dobbie

refuse to get “old and useless,” I prefer just to get old. Funny, how age sneaks up on us. One day, you see yourself as simply another part of the general population, and then, suddenly, you have to admit that you can actually remember back fifty years! And that you were an adult then. Oh, my God! That must mean you are old?! You notice that ten or 15 years seem insignificant – wasn’t 2005 just the other day? How about 2012? That’s the year I bought my new car! But what wonderful things have been happening in those intervening years, when you were busy being productive, trying to make a living and ignoring that seniors’ citizen card you have in your wallet. And how exciting to still be part of a world of wonder and progress that is happening despite the pessimists who are currently in charge of the North American narrative. Fact is, folks, this virus will pass. We have survived worse. And the world will not end due to changes in our climate. We have been through more. Perhaps, though, what is happening while everyone is focussed on gloom and doom is a revolution that will take us to a better tomorrow as new technologies and a superior understanding of our world forces us to find enhanced ways to live. Ironically, the big news of the day has to do with ways of reducing the use of energy. That is like saying we should reduce life. Electrification is in its infancy although you probably take it for granted. We live in an electrified world – which is to say, a world of energy. In the past and up until now, we have utilized this energy in the most primitive fashion, just a few steps up from our ancestors who burned wood for fires. Oil and other carbon-derived energy sources are not so far from the days of cola oil lamps. But exciting discoveries are being made that will surpass even the next wave of battery-run energy sources. We are discovering the secret that everything on earth is filled with harnessable energy and that we must learn to live in harmony with that energy and become one with it. Are you surprised, when every high school student should know that earth is an electrical field harvestable November 2020

It is a beautiful world and every day brings a bright new dawn. by putting two stakes in the ground connected by some sort of conductor to realize electrical transmission? Not too long ago, one of those high school students from Alberts demonstrated that the human body could fuel an electric light bulb. We know that plants produce electric energy in every act of their growth and, most recently, we have discovered that bacteria produce electricity as a by-product of their existence. This brings me back to the beginning thoughts in

this article. Getting old does not reduce your generation of life or energy. It changes and enhances it. You know more. Your energy field may be redirected, but as our First Nations know, that energy should not be wasted. They revere their elderly because they intuitively understand their power. Don’t waste yours. Get involved. Do something, anything, while your light is still burning bright. It is a beautiful world!

letters Hi Dorothy! Good article warning folks about those horrible smelling air “fresheners”. Been fighting that fallacy my whole life. In our home we eat very few food products that cannot be put into the compost bin. Those food products take a long time before ever causing “stink” in the kitchen. Daily trips to the compost bin is best. When we do have smelly meat/chicken/or fish for garbage, I have a container in the bottom freezer where all the stinky stuff

goes until garbage day. No smells in the house and those items stay fresh for the birds at the garbage dump, I assume. The freezer, as part of the refrigerator, is no place to keep frozen food unless double wrapped anyway because of its ability to suck every bit of moisture out of anything in there. Small chest freezers are the best, and yes, you do have defrost every once in a while, but your food keeps much better there than in a frost-free appliance. Lynda Bowman whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Pegasus Publications Inc. and Lifestyles 55 is pleased to donate these 2 pages to support CJNU and community radio.

Transmissions Dispatches from community powered radio 93.7 FM CJNU

Host Sponsor

Riverview Health Centre Sheldon Mindell

s Riverview Health Centre is the host sponsor for the month of November, CJNU invited me to write an article for your newsletter. Not wanting to be negative, I asked myself, “Is there any positive news in 2020?” As we all get older and Covid-19 does not allow us to plan long-term, it feels like time is being stolen - like a professional athlete currently unable to play who wonders how many good years are left in his or her career. I remember Dr. Tam (Canada’s Chief Medical Officer) say “When you have seen one pandemic, you have seen one pandemic”; each one is different and we need to learn to live safely but continue to live! Nowhere is this truer then when working within our health care system. Stringent rules and regulations about who could visit, how many visitors you could have and how often they could visit became new realities. Providing “quality of life” daily activi-

ties for our patients and residents became a challenge. Restrictions on bringing in outside entertainers/speakers/activities and restrictions on group sizes forced recreational staff to rethink how they deliver services. The good news is that they accepted and met that challenge. Teaching Skype/Facebook/Zoom to our

residents was an unintended new activity – who said “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Very quickly Riverview’s supply of electronic tablets proved to be in high demand and the Foundation found the resources to purchase more. Moving visiting opportunities outdoors, which is considered safer, required a large tent and once again the Foundation found the resources to purchase two large tents. Covid-19 forced the cancellation of most of Riverview Health Centre Foundation’s fundraising events, other than our annual Cycle on Life which was held in a very safe manner and proved to be extremely successful. So what is positive in 2020? Our staff and you (our supporters) have been conquering whatever challenges we were faced with as we learn to live with the virus until we can truly put it behind us. Please visit us online at www.rhc.mb.ca (view our new website) and when the restrictions are eased for visitations, please come in and view our new donor wall. Sheldon Mindell is the Executive Director of the Riverview Health Centre Foundation.

CJNU Personality of the month

Chris Tuffer

i folks this is Chris Tuffer - which is my radio name, because my late younger brother always said to use my middle name if I was to go back “on the air”. My birth name is Mark Christopher Moote and so if you take my middle name and work with it you get the name Chris Topher but it sounds better if you say Tuffer as opposed to Topher. Anyway, many people use a stage name for various reasons and mine is not to avoid being known, it just sounds better in my humble opinion! My first career from the age of 18 was at private radio stations throughout the country. After a few years on the air I got ‘the call’, as they say, to go to seminary to be authorised for ordination in the Anglican Church. At that time, I was

learning about ministry up north and so rather than continue flying the church Cessna 185 from one town to another I decided, with the support of the Bishop, to attend Emmanuel/St. Chad in Saskatoon. At the completion of my Theology degree I was given a parish in Thunder Bay. I was there 4 years and then moved to Sudbury where I served for 11 years and then moved back to Saskatchewan and later BC and then my final parish was in Ontario. Seeing the country that way was an amazing gift and insight to various cultures and communities. When I had the idea of supplementing my ministry a few years ago by rejoining radio broadcasting, the interviewing manager of a radio station in Ontario said: “You know, it’s not fun anymore.”

Well, after a few shifts on weekends I understood why he said that. You see, we were expected to follow rules of order rather than flying by the seat of our pants; but I proved him wrong despite the rules. When I retired more recently, my parish priest said why don’t you get in touch with CJNU and offer your voice. I said that sounds like it could be fun! I love music and I especially like playing the songs that were popular when I started broadcasting back in the 60s. So, my hand seems to fit well into the glove called Nostalgia Radio. Yes indeed, CJNU is my favourite place to enjoy the musical memories and so it is a match made in heaven. Everything old is new again! AMEN.

Safe, Family Fun at Canad Inns Winter Wonderland

JNU are pleased to once again partner with the Red River Ex as they host Canad Inns Winter Wonderland! As the seasons change, from November 21 to January 2, head to Red River Exhibition Park and safely celebrate the 21st annual drive-thru holiday light show featuring over one million lights! From the comfort and safety of your vehicle, enjoy the ride knowing that

You could be one of us . . . Join us and help us keep nostalgia radio on the air.

over $325,000 has been donated to local Manitoba charities since the show’s inception. Unfortunately, due to restrictions, sleigh rides will not run - but bring your skates to try out the natural skating rink pond that will be ready as soon as weather permits. While you’re at it, take some photos at the Holiday Photo Stop. To find out more, stay tuned to CJNU - or visit www.redriverex.com.

Application for membership Nostalgia Broadcasting Co-operative Inc. Name:________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________

CJNU is a registered co-operative and you can become a member. To join all you have to do is fill out the form below and send it in along with your membership fee. In return, you will: • Get to meet our announcers in person • Receive invitations to our social events • Gain access to all the very best contests for tickets and other prizes on the station But most of all, being a member gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to make our community better every day.

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City:___________________ Postal Code:__________________________ Phone: _______________ Email Address:__________________________  Just $25 for membership Charge my:  MC  Visa Card #_________________________________ Exp. Date ____________ Mail to: CJNU RADIO, Richardson Building, L7 – 1 Lombard Place, Winnipeg MB R3B 0X3 November 2020

The power of stories; The impact of legacies Join us for the HSC Foundation Bannatyne Legacy Circle Celebration

o you want to have a powerful, lasting impact on health care? Do you want to play a pivotal role in the wellness of Manitobans? How do you want to be remembered? Tune in to CJNU 93.7 FM on Sunday, November 29, 2:00–4:00 PM to hear from seven Manitobans who asked themselves those questions and decided to make the gift of a lifetime by joining the Health Sciences Centre Foundation’s Bannatyne Legacy Circle. Being a member of the Bannatyne Legacy Circle involves naming the HSC Foundation in your will or naming the Foundation as the beneficiary of an asset. Bannatyne Legacy Circle members come from all walks of life and make gifts of all sizes. What they share is a passion for Manitoba and a desire to improve health care. “Our health care needs are constantly changing; what does not change is the need for philanthropists in our community,” says Jonathon Lyon, President and CEO, HSC Foundation. “The ripple effect of Bannatyne Legacy Circle members’ generosity is felt for myriad years to come, and we are forever grateful for their lasting commitment.” Please join us for an afternoon of inspiration and information as we hear first-hand from an HSC doctor on the impact legacy giving has on integral research, an estate planner on practical planned giving how-to’s, and of course, the compelling stories of the 2020 Bannatyne Legacy Circle members. The HSC Foundation Bannatyne Legacy Circle Celebration has been made possible by our supporters: Johnston Group, Canad Inns, Outstanding Branding, BelleFosh Signs, and CJNU 93.7 FM.

Mavis Taillieu pre-records her interview at CJNU: “I’ve had a lifelong affiliation with HSC... I’ve seen how important philanthropy is for health care. I want to keep the ball rolling.”

Dr. Ian Sutherland shares his story on CJNU, reflecting on his career and his marriage to Eva: “Eva was a patient, loving lady and we were blessed as a family," he says in his Bannatyne Legacy Circle story.

Looking back, and looking forward Adam Glynn

ovember is always an interesting month in Manitoba. It’s the month in which we pause and remember the sacrifices made by others. It’s also at the crossroads between the two longest seasons in this part of the world - summer and winter. I thought this time would be a good opportunity both to look back and to look forward. Here at CJNU, we’re pretty good at looking back. The concept of ‘Nostalgia’ is a beautiful broad umbrella, with so many interesting things explore beneath its canopy. We have the joy and privilege of being able to enjoy the best of the past through the lens of the present. Did you know that 2020 marks 25 years of ‘Nostalgia Radio’ in Winnipeg? It was in 1995 that Canada’s first ‘special event radio station’ signed on as CKVN, commemorating the 50th anniversary of VE Day. This year CJNU commemorated the 75th anniversary with a full day of special programming. It was through ingenuity, pluck and determination that CKVN came to fruition. Through the initial leadership of Lee Smith, and with the help of broadcasting giants from our city like ‘Cactus’ Jack Wells and Cliff Gardner, the station made it to the air. There were several false starts in the

ensuing years, but they say a good idea never dies – and it was through the passion and dedication of Garry Robertson that Nostalgia Broadcasting Cooperative Inc, CJNU, was incorporated as a non-profit co-op in 2006. We now have over 100 volunteers involved in the station, and almost 2000 members in our co-op.

(Incidentally, if you’re not already a member, you should consider joining - there are very few things that will cost you just $25 a year - or 7 cents a day!) Through it all, the flame burning at the core of everything we do remains the same as the one lit by the spark that started us on this journey back in

1995: sharing the greatest music ever recorded and shining a light on our community. A quarter century since the idea of Nostalgia Radio first became a reality, we continue to carry and nurture that flame. How time flies. The passage of time has been a particularly strange thing in 2020. As I write, a final few leaves are hanging desperately onto almost entirely bare trees in my garden - putting up a valiant fight against a stiff breeze. Surely it was only a few weeks ago that the first buds were coming out? Yet now, the first flakes of snow are starting to settle. The summer of 2020 had an eerie duality - feeling like it lasted mere moments, but also an eternity. Perception is a funny thing. But all of this has been looking back. What about looking forward? Well, to quote a certain George R.R. Martin: “Winter is Coming”. But that’s not a bad thing! If there is one thing I’ve learnt since moving to Manitoba, it’s that we’re hardy folk. We can moan about the weather as much as we want, but we just put on our big coat and get on with things. It’s with that spirit that I think we’ve been able to weather the global storm that 2020 has hit us with. If we can live well through a pandemic, we have nothing to fear from the season of cold white stuff. Adam Glynn is Station Manager at CJNU.

CJNU supports the United Way

JNU is proud to support our Community Partner, United Way Winnipeg. There isn’t an easier way to help improve our city than taking United Way Winnipeg’s 150 Challenge. Johnson Group will match all new donors’ contributions dollar for dollar if they give $150, less than $3 a week, during this campaign. Regular contributors under $150 can also double their impact by increasing their donation to 150, as Johnson Group will match the increase. November 2020

Did you know 100 per cent of every dollar you give to United Way goes directly to agencies and programs supporting Winnipeggers? Special events and a provincial grant pay United Way Winnipeg’s fundraising and administration ex-

penses. This frees us to invest all donations into a network of over onehundred local non-profit agencies, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg, Canadian Mental Health Association, MacDonald Youth Services, Main Street Project, Palliative Manitoba and the Rose and Max Rady Jewish Community Centre to name a few. Agencies in this network receive more than 340,000 visits from Winnipeggers in need each year. That means every 90 sec-

onds, someone you may know is helped by your donation to United Way Winnipeg. As this year’s campaign chair, Dave Angus, says, “Because we love Winnipeg, let’s rally and recover.” Visit unitedwaywinnipeg.ca or call 204-477-UWAY to donate or for more information. Stay tuned to CJNU throughout November as we chat with those involved at the United Way, and at the many agencies they support. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Winter falls – What you need to know to reduce your risk Continued from page 1

and one in three adults aged 65+ will fall each year. you’re not sure about the tread on your boots, there’s a According to the latest stats from the website for that! Visit http://www.rateCanadian Institute for Health Informamytreads.com/ for more information. tion, there were almost 9,000 hospital• Slow down and take it easy: It may izations due to falls on ice, making them seem like a simple strategy but being in the number one reason people get hurt a hurry and walking too fast can conin winter. A serious fall on the ice can tribute to a fall. If you use a cane, you can also add a retractable ice tip for a result in a debilitating injury and a longfirm grip on the snow. Other safe outterm recovery - this especially holds true door walking strategies include using for older adults. But it’s not all bad news! Falls CAN be caution in high risk areas like going up prevented with some simple, common or down stairs, stepping over curbs, or sense strategies so you can continue to carrying items like grocery bags when stay active and enjoy the winter months. navigating an uneven, icy surface. And Here are a few things to keep in mind as perhaps most importantly, pay attention Krystal Stokes the temperatures drop: at all times! • Wear proper footwear: Good trac• Eat well: According to the Staying Healthy tion on snow and ice is your best defense on your Feet website from the WinniLiving when walking outside. Make sure your peg Regional Health Authority, “Eatwinter footwear has a sturdy sole, is well ing a healthy and balanced diet helps insulated, waterproof and has a good traction grip. If you feel good, keeps your bones and muscles strong

and can prevent long term health conditions.” This also includes an adequate intake of Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and keeps your bones strong. The website recommends a daily supplement of 1,000 IU (international units) vitamin D3. Please check in with your healthcare provider prior to taking any over the counter supplements. • Be prepared: You may also want to consider a mobile personal help button in case of an accidental fall or emergency so you can access help quickly. Recognizing that older adults today lead active lives, Victoria Lifeline’s GoSafe mobile service has fall detection and six advanced location technologies built right into the button, giving subscribers the confidence to continue doing all the things they love. For more information on GoSafe or to watch a video on how the service works, please visit victorialifeline.ca. Please note that GoSafe relies on a cellular network connection. Krystal Stokes is the communications and public relations manager at Victoria Lifeline, a community service of the Victoria General Hospital Foundation.

Feeling down? Beat the winter blues naturally Part 1 of 2

and winter blues is by using specially-designed light boxes that produce a light intensity of 10,000 lux. fter moving to New York from South Africa to Since Rosenthal’s initial study, there have been over complete his residency in psychiatry, Dr. Nor- 60 published studies confirming a success rate of man Rosenthal began experiencing lethargy 60%-90%. This research has shown that 30 minutes per day of exposure to a 10,000 lux light and mood changes in the fall and winsource can help reduce the symptoms of ter months, but when summer arrived, SAD. Exposing retinal cells to bright he noticed these issues vanished. As a light early in the morning stimulates the result, he began to study mood and its hypothalamus which can help to restore relationship to circadian rhythms. His normal circadian rhythm. research resulted in the book Winter A few years ago, an older couple visBlues: Everything You Need to Know ited to ask me for advice, as the woman to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder. was suffering from serious depression. Symptoms of seasonal affective disShe had tried dietary supplements and order (SAD), sometimes called “winantidepressant drugs prescribed by her ter depression,” can include feeling sad, doctor, with no benefit. She was so sad depressed, and not finding the same she was crying every day, and her huspleasure in activities you used to enjoy. band was hoping I could assist them in Sufferers may experience low energy, some way. When I learned that her dedifficulty sleeping (or feeling the need to Nathan Zassman pression was worse during the winter, sleep hours more each night), less interNatural Health I recommended she give bright light est in socializing, loss of sex drive, diftherapy a try. Neither had heard of this ficulty concentrating, cravings for sweet and starchy foods, and gaining or losing weight. approach, and they were skeptical that something as Women, who experience depression 70% more fre- simple as a lamp could help. After I explained that this quently than men, often report worsening of premen- is a common seasonal problem and that clinical studies had shown it to be effective, they purchased a light strual syndrome symptoms. A milder form of seasonal depression, the “win- therapy device with the hope that it might be helpful. ter blues” can similarly lead to low energy, feeling About a week later the couple returned and told me “down,” putting on weight, and having difficulty get- that the light therapy had made an amazing difference. Not everyone will see this type of result, but ting out of bed in the morning. If you suffer from the winter blues or feel you may her depression had all but disappeared. After using have symptoms of SAD as the days get shorter, there the light for 30 minutes each morning, she returned are remedies that can help. Traditionally, there have to being the happy, positive, productive woman she been three methods of treatment: antidepressants, used to be. Vibroacoustic Therapy and Brain Entrainment bright light therapy, and psychotherapy. Recent reThe term entrainment describes how our brainsearch is also showing that exposure to specific frequencies of sound and vibration can have great results waves adjust or synchronize to sound. When we are exposed to sound and vibration at certain frequencies, as well. our brains naturally work to match those patterns, Bright Light Therapy One of the most effective methods of treating SAD which can result in a variety of neurological health

improvements. Studies confirm that 15-30 minutes of daily exposure to sound and vibration at specific frequencies can be effective in treating fibromyalgia, slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, improving cognition, and boosting selfconfidence. Sound therapy has been shown to help reduce stress, anxiety, and insomnia. It can promote relaxation, help build bone density, strengthen the immune system, increase circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduce headaches. Vibroacoustic therapy devices have been used in clinical and home settings to help treat depression, including seasonal affective disorder and the winter blues. Supplements Saffron: In a six-week double-blind trial, results showed that saffron was as effective as conventional drugs like Prozac and Tofranil for mild depression with few or no side effects. A meta-analysis of five randomized trials found saffron to be effective for treating major depressive disorders. A versatile spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, other studies have shown that saffron supplementation can provide benefits for stress and mood balance, and support a variety of other health conditions including erectile dysfunction, age-related metabolic syndrome, macular degeneration, and weight control. An eight week study found that those taking saffron had a significantly greater body weight reduction than the placebo group. Those taking saffron showed a reduced tendency for snacking, while improving satiety (feeling fuller after eating). Another interesting study from Australia’s Murdoch University found that saffron can help improve sleep quality after only seven days of use. Next month in part two, I’ll outline some of the other dietary supplements and lifestyle factors that can help improve mood and ease the winter blues. You can find the entire list and more information about light therapy online at www.avivahealth.com. Nathan Zassman is the owner and president of Aviva Natural Health Solutions.

1 in 4 aren’t washing their hands regularly

A new CDC report finds that 25% of people don’t remember to wash their hands at important times, such as after blowing their nose.

ore of us are washing our hands amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but one in four doesn’t lather up after blowing their nose, according to a new report. The report, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), examined hand washing behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two surveys, one administered in October 2019, and the second in June 2020, asked participants about situations where they usually remember to wash their hands, such as after using the bathroom at home; after using the bathroom in public; after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose; before eating at home; before eating at a restaurant 20

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and before preparing food at home. In both 2019 and 2020, more than 85% of participants said they remembered to wash their hands after using the bathroom at home, and 95% said they remembered to wash their hands after using a public restroom. Similarly, in both years, about 86% of participants said they remembered to wash their hands before preparing food. In 2019, about 63% said they washed hands before eating at home, 55% said they washed their hands before eating at a restaurant and 53% said they washed their hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose. During the pandemic, more people reported washing their hands in these situations, but the

numbers were still not ideal — 74% said they remembered to wash their hands before eating at home, 70% said they remembered to wash their hands before eating at a restaurant and 71% said they remembered to wash their hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose. For example, in 2020, 65% of men reported washing their hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose; compared with 76% of women. More work is needed to identify ways to get people to wash their hands, not only to prevent COVID-19, but also to reduce transmission of other diseases that spread via coughs, sneezes or poop.

Washing your hands is still the best defense against COVID-19. November 2020

PUZZLES

Crossword Across 1. Nike competitor 5. Shaq’s game 10. Yearn (for) 14. Minn. neighbor 15. Tito Puente’s nickname 16. “Dianetics” author ___ Hubbard 17. Bankrupt 19. Puppy cries 20. Eases up on 21. Easy ___ 22. Hebrew schools 26. ___-loading (marathon runner’s strategy) 30. Deep bow 34. Not as damp 35. Current fashion 36. Jolson and Pacino 37. Like a raccoon tail 39. Gelato alternative 42. NATO cousin 43. “This is right ___ alley” 47. Sponge sort 48. HOMES and Roy G. Biv, e.g. 51. Money owed 52. It doesn’t require union membership 54. Courseload 57. Overseas traveler’s gadget 62. Classic soda 63. Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry 66. Dirty old man, say 67. ___ Volta (former name of Burkina Faso) 68. When tripled, a WWII film

69. Plains tribe 70. Dull sounds 71. iPad add-ons Down 1. Truant, in a military sense 2. Ristorante bottle 3. Comparative phrase 4. Cologne cries 5. Swiss capital, to the Swiss 6. Begin to flourish 7. Electrical discharge 8. Cash in Albania 9. Ghent river 10. She played Samantha on “Who’s the Boss?” 11. Street gang member 12. Southwestern Indian 13. “____ petit placidam sub libertate quietem” (Massachusetts motto) 18. Pooh’s grumpy pal 21. Common power sources 23. Showtime rival 24. Modern mil. concern 25. Is a contender 26. Digital storage medium 27. Ending for sect or unit 28. Washer cycle 29. Command to Rover 31. Bigwig 32. Like some chins 33. Shakira’s “Donde ___ Corazon” 38. ____ buggy 40. Buddy from way back

Word search

41. Small deer 44. ATM code 45. Hosts, briefly 46. Like some intersections 49. Reason for action 50. Abbr. word after black or covert 53. Lysol targets 54. Potentially offensive 55. ____-do-well

56. Her, in German 58. Stuffable bread 59. Type of roof for a muscle car 60. Wild West Wyatt 61. Genetic molecules 63. Almond or cashew 64. Bible book between Gal. and Phil. 65. Manjula’s husband, on “The Simpsons”

Sudoku

Puzzles’ solutions on next page

Adhesives Arched Beadier Beautician Belch Blimps Cocoa Deserve Dugouts Emphases Enter November 2020

Genes Halters Incongruities Marinate Marrows Meddle Mousy Plops Poker Punches Quacks

Queue Rails Regulations Rifle Sends Slate Sleep Smith Smote Sonic Steps

Suites Synapse Theoretically Tiaras Undecideds

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The Ghost of Christmas Future

t’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like with all the fixings for just three people. Christmas. Sort of. But, for the first We will be just as happy with a chicken time in … maybe ever, for a lot of peo- and some of the fixings. Afterward, we’ll likely grab a cup of cheer and cozy up in ple, it’s not going to feel like Christmas. front of the television and Oh sure, it’s going to watch what is still a tradilook like a White Christtion, A Christmas Carol mas for those who love (with Alastair Sim of Walking in a Winter Woncourse). Although I have derland but a few of our both, I prefer the black and other senses might lack a white. I’m not sure, but it little. might even be more poiWe have hosted the big gnant this year. dinner for a number of Gee, two years ago I reyears and for a number member lamenting All I of people. Usually, we see Want for Christmas is my anywhere from 16 to 20, Two Front Teeth, I had including as many as seven them fixed this year. of the regulars from four Jim Ingebrigtsen Do You Hear What different cities, from three I Hear? Santa Clause is different countries. Oh, Is It Just Me... Coming to Town, or not? the aroma of a real tree, Will he be in the malls? and the tasty fare emitting Will you? Will Santa and his helpers from the kitchen. Naturally and understandably, not this wear a mask? Will you? It will certainly year. No one will be coming Home for be unusual social distancing with Santa. the Holidays . . . either too risky or they I wonder, will you/we spend more time don’t want the inconvenience of having thinking about giving rather than receivto self-isolate pre and post travelling. We ing? Maybe planning on giving a little less will instead be sending gifts or gift cards but more thoughtful? Giving of your time or e-transferring Christmas cash to those or maybe giving a little money to a charwho can’t join us. Maybe next year will be ity such as the Christmas Cheer Board is different. Let’s hope. a great idea. My friend Kai Madsen over We won’t Deck the Halls as much as we there on St. James Street would welcome have in the past. In fact, we have decided your donation. No more food hampers or to forgo the yuletide tradition of a tree. toys this year. Instead they will be sendThere will be no big fat Christmas turkey ing out food vouchers to those who really

Beyond the blue horizon

y Mother always said that I was friends and family. At our fingertips we a happy child and easy to raise. had cell phones and computers and the I was blessed with a nature that miracle of “face time” with people. We is positive and usually very happy. Do were able to talk to our friends all over not get me wrong, I can the globe with the techhave a temper but have nology at our fingertips. learned to not let it overIn fact the other day I was take me. I also operate on talking live with a friend a level of common sense in Ontario who had just about almost everything sent me a photo of a loaf and get impatient with of sourdough bread she people who do not use had just taken from the it. One of my most posioven. It looked amazing tive attributes is that I am and I decided to call her a “glass half full” person for a video chat. She was and very optimistic. This explaining to me that she attribute has been called had been working on her into play a great deal this sourdough matrix for a year as we have faced a while and she was proud Jim Pappas year unlike anything we of how much she had have ever known. I have achieved with it. We were made every effort to find the positive in on the video chat for about 20 minutes all we were facing. and then she called back to tell me that It seemed as the year was unfolding as we were talking her German Shepherd that we were in for a challenge and many dog had eaten the entire loaf. people were unprepared for what was to The dog had never done this kind of come. I said to Barbra that we need to thing before and my summation was make something good come out of all that it must have been very good for the this isolation and we decided to try and dog to eat it all. She finally laughed as do that. First of all we began a more than well. usual line of communication with close I try each week to call people in rotation and see how they are doing. Many of our friends are singles and living alone and I want them to know that they have a lifeline with calling me and just even staying in touch. Barbra and I realized that cooking for the two of us was quite

Hard as he might try, it is hard to see Jim Ingebrigtsen as a Grinch! need them. You know they are Important, they’ve been around since the last pandemic. Don’t get me wrong, I am not the Grinch. I do like Christmas, after all, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. It’ll just be different. And so, just like rats and cockroaches, we adapt to our environment. We won’t be Rocking Around the Christmas Tree or doing the Jingle Bell

Rock in our home but, we will have the seasonal tunes on for a while each day and maybe even more so to keep the spirit alive. It will be less merry with fewer members of the family around but thankfully we have Skype, FaceTime and Zoom to connect with the ones we love in a virtual way. It’s not the best way, but for a lot of us, it’s the only way. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

difficult and we were still cooking too much. So we had a brainwave. We have four friends who are living alone and do not love to cook. We began to fill containers for them and drop off food once a week. We call them our “angels” and try to make sure that we give them something delectable to look forward to each week. We make a quick drive around and drop off a shopping bag to each of them. They are delighting in this attention and we are feeling greatly cheered by doing it for them. What I am trying to say here is that despite the situation we can do a great deal to staunch the boredom. I for one have had the greatest fun reading books from my own library that I have been promising myself to do as well as exchanging books with others who share my taste. Time out for reading is always a pleasure to me. I can sit for an afternoon with music in the background and enjoy a good visit to another world. Finding time to read, to sort old photographs, to write letters and to organize our closets have always been put aside as we spin our busy lives. At last we had time to do all these things and it has been remarkable what we have accomplished. We have been in our homes but not idle at all in fact much has been done in this time period. This time in our lives gives us a true “time out” to stop and evaluate all the things that are truly important to us: to begin to hope for a world with more

kindness, more gratitude, more empathy and more tolerance. Despite the chaos in the world, we can all hope for this and try to achieve it in our own lives. We can do this by reaching out to others and offering ourselves as support or a source of connection. We have so much to be grateful for and need to look past the present day toward a brighter time in the future. I always say that tomorrow is uncharted and that we can make things better by being more responsive to others and in doing so bring joy and peace to ourselves. There is no greater pleasure than bringing light to another person’s dark times. I am optimistic that many of us have had time to reflect and recharge and look ahead. There is no need to complain or whine and no one wants to listen to negative thoughts either. We all need to be strong, be positive and look ahead. We can learn many lessons from what we are experiencing and move forward to brighter days. As the words of the song go “beyond the blue horizon waits a beautiful day...goodbye to things that bore me ..joy is waiting for me.” If we can all embrace this and do our best, we can emerge with a much better world than the one we used to know. So I urge you all to look at what you have accomplished no matter how small a victory it is and to look to the horizon for happier days ahead. Tune in to “A Class Act with Jim Pappas on CJNU 93.7 FM Mondays at 1 pm.

Puzzles’ solutions

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November 2020

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