Lifestyles 55 2021 08 August by PegasusPublicationsInc

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August 2021

FAST DENTURES

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Throw some chicken on the barbeque!

Corn you believe it?

Exercise is medicine

Let the people know

Congratulations to Her Honour Mary Simon

External view of the Kamloops Indian Residential School where 751 unmarked graves were discovered. Photograph courtesy of Archives Deschâtelets-NDC, Richelieu.

Wayne Douglas Weedon

used to live in Holman Island, now known as Ulukhaktok, a hamlet in the Canadian Arctic. In the spring of 1966, on a daily basis, aeroplanes were landing at Holman Island and other settlements, bringing students from residential schools who had never returned home in the ten to twelve years they had been away at school. Also in 1966, Agnes Carpenter, a former residential school student living in Sachs Harbour, came to Holman Island. She was travelling throughout the Arctic to solicit affidavits from residential school survivors.

For several years she had been taking these affidavits to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and to various newspapers, including the Vancouver Sun and the Edmonton Journal, as well as to Ed Ogle from Time (Canada), and to two well-known writers, Pierre Berton and Farley Mowat. Everyone displayed sympathy and gave promises of helping her to have her accusations published; but somehow, none of her stories ever appeared in print. Agnes asked me, “Have you read the fairy-tales that publishers are passing off as factual? The old people are convulsed with laughter when I read to them some of these outlandish stories about us and our way of living.” u 4 ‘Let the people know’

Let us look at a little bit of the history of Roseberry Street

o celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. James (starting just west of St. James Street to Sturgeon Road) breaking away from Assiniboia to form their own municipality, I have two Centennial projects. I am doing street profiles. This column features Roseberry Street. I am also asking for public input in compiling a list of 100 Great St. James Citizens. Please send me between 1 and 100 nominations. I acknowledge that any list of 100 great St. James’s citizens will be far too short. The people on the list will not be ranked. Contact me at fredmorris@ hotmail.com or 207-1061 Sargent Avenue R3E 3M6.

Fred Morris

he Mural on the northeast corner commemorating the former dance hall at 1845 Portage says it all: “Welcome to St. James Village”.

A few of the residents Fred Miguez started in the family refuse business at the age of 14. After serving in World War 2, Fred returned to the family business which he eventually took over and renamed Fred Miguez Trucking. In the early 1960s, Fred had the contract to clear snow at the new open-air Polo Park Center. In 2019, Fred celebrated his 100th birthday. Bob King lived on Roseberry during his adolescent years. Between 1958 and 1965, Bob won 13 times before losing on the CBWT Five Pin Bowling Show. In 1962, Bob King became and remains the youngest person to win the Canadian Five Pin Open Bowling Singles. The Winnipeg Sportswriters and Sportscasters association named Bob the Manitoba Male Athlete of the year. In 1963, the City of St. James presented Bob with the Order of Merit. Between 1962 and u 6 ‘Roseberry Street’

Kangiqsualujjuaq at dawn in March.

Dorothy Dobbie

ccording to Wikipedia, The Right Hon. Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, has a connection to Manitoba. Her father, Bob May, the manager of the local Hudson’s Bay Company store in the 1950s, was from this province, while her mother, Nancy, was an Inuk from Northern Quebec. Mary was born Mary Jeannie May, in Kangsiqsualuijjuak, a very small village at the mouth of the George River. Her Dad was the first white store em- The Right Hon. ployee to marry an Inuk, but Mary Simon. Mary was raised in the traditional manner including sewing and wearing traditional Inuit clothing and traveling by dogsled. She went to school in Kuujjuak and then to high school in Colorado. Among her varied career pursuits, she taught Inuktitut at McGill University, worked for CBC Northern Services, was involved with the Inuit Tapirisat and served as Ambassador to Denmark and later as Circumpolar Ambassador. She was also involved in the constitutional discussion of the 1980s and 90s, including discussions leading up to the Charlottetown Accord. She is currently married to journalist Whit Fraser. Her Inuktitut name is Ningiukudluk and at her swearing in ceremony on July 26, 2021, she joked to the Prime Minister that this meant “Bossy Little Old Woman”! We wish her all the best and hope she visits our province very soon. -ED

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August 2021

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Summer update

Time to set aside the thinking cap and enjoy the weather

PUBLISHER Pegasus Publications Inc. EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net EDITOR Emeritus Joan Cohen ART DIRECTOR Karl Thomsen karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Ian Leatt ian.leatt@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Vilker Beckman, Sue Boreskien, Dorothy Dobbie, Myrna Driedger, John Einarson, Kasey Hacking, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Kevin Klein, Graham Lane, Ian Leatt, Nicole Matiation, Fred Morris, Manitoba Seniors Coalition, Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, Connie Newman, Peggy Pendergast, Brent Poole, Senaka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Elly Spencer, Sherrie Versluis, 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 and 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.

Summer is a wonderful time to visit the International Peace Gardens (here looking down the boundary line).

ummer is here and August is always the month of great silence as far as the written word is concerned. Everyone is on holiday or is lulled into a sense of peace and relaxation, especially with the weather we are having and the long overdue respite from COVID-19. None of wants to think anymore. We just want to gaze at the sky, listen to the birds and the squirrels or whatever other little thing is stirring out there in the beautiful outdoors. So instead of the promised report on forestry, tourism and fishing, I am going to wait until September to regale you with the latest – except to say congratulations to one of the smartest former public Dorothy Dobbie servants I know. Karlene Debance, who has left the Manitoba Government to take on an executive directorship, and who has recently been appointed to the board of the directors of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Board for the next four years! I cannot think of a better appointment for that industry. She knows her way around both the federal and provincial systems as the former director of the Canada Manitoba Infrastructure program and will be an invaluable asset to this organization and to the fishing industry of Manitoba. But back to the wonderful world of summer. I feel that I have lost half of it as I travelled west with my daughter Shauna Dobbie, who is now the editor and publisher of our garden magazine, Canada’s Local Gardener (formerly three separate magazines, Manitoba Gardener, Alberta Gardener and Ontario Gardener). We travelled to B.C. and visited gardens in Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Chilliwack and Langley before moving on to Alberta where we did the same in Edmonton. Red Deer, Lethbridge and Calgary. Then it was off by road in the little red van to Virden, Regina, the Qu’Appelle Valley and Saskatoon. Whew! Home for barely a week, I headed out again to Ottawa to tape the annual memorial service of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians of which I am the current president. We have had about 20 passages this year, far fewer than 2019/20, when the sad roster numbered 53. The saddest of these for me was the passing of

Ian Waddell who had become a close friend as the president of the Foundation set up by the CAFP. Ian passed quietly in mid March after posting a photo of the Vancouver sunset and saying goodnight to all his Facebook friends. He was a spark of laughter and joy, and we will all miss him. In Ottawa, things are pretty quiet. There are people on the streets, but mainly Ontarions. My taxi driver told me I was his only fare to the airport for the week. Members of the House of Commons staff, the folks who work behind the scenes making sure all goes smoothly, are not allowed to go to the office. It must have been quite trying to set up the investiture of the Governor General the last week of July. See my little story about her and the Manitoba connection on page 1. There is a growing collection of toys and shoes commemorating the lost children of the residential schools surrounding the eternal flame in front of the old Parliament buildings where the cranes are the most dominant feature of the day. What is it like to travel right now? Staying in hotels is different. They no longer clean the rooms each day and breakfast is a boxed affair of stale muffins and juice in most places. Flying is just as crowded as ever with the added discomfort of masks and constant itinerary changes by the airline. Some direct flights are hard to come by and many airport amenities are not open. Nevertheless, things are improving and I think we are on the upside of the hill when it comes to the pandemic. Down south, at our International Peace Garden, my other labour of love as president of the board, construction of the children’s playground and the renewed cactus conservatory is underway. Earlier, new housing was erected for temporary workers and staff that can be used in the off season for conferences and other events. Manitoba campers who have big rigs will be happy to learn that our campground electrical services have been updated and can now accommodate 50 amps. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that I have moved my radio show to the digital world. Still the same wonderful guests and lots of opportunity to talk gardening at https://whatsupwinnipeg.ca/lifestyles-55-digitalradio. The beauty here is that you can kick back and listen on your phone in the garden or as you wake up in the morning or anytime you want – all the shows are available at the click of a link. So, enjoy the rest of your summer. These long hot days occur periodically, and we need to take advantage of them while we can. Winter will be upon us soon enough.

Don’t want to miss a single issue of Lifestyles 55? Call us at 940-2700 and ask Shelly, she will be only too pleased to help you purchase a subscription that will bring the paper right to your doorstep! Shelly can arrange for a small monthly charge to your credit card. Or you can start by filling out and mailing in this form to: Lifestyles 55 c/o Pegasus Publications at 138 Swan Lake Bay, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4T8 q $36.00, 12 issues q $72.00, 24 issues q Cheque q VISA q Amex q MasterCard Card No .................................................................................................................... Expiry ........................ Signature ................................................................................ Name ........................................................................................................................... Address ........................................................................................................................ City.....................................Prov............... Postal Code ........................... Telephone...................................... Fax.......................................... Connect with us online: whatsupwinnipeg.ca | Facebook: Lifestyles55 | Twitter: @Lifestyles55

August 2021

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Congratulations to the Red Cross!

The Canadian Red Cross has a very long history in our his pandemic has been a challenging time. We have had to change and adapt our lives in so many ways. country. While it was officially founded in 1896, this humanitarian concept with the Red Cross as This has been a tremendous underits symbol had existed for a few decades eartaking and I want to begin this article with a lier. The humanitarian organization that the reminder of the mental health supports that Canadian Red Cross has grown into is an are available. It’s okay to not be okay. Please impressive one. I am so thankful for all that check out https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/ the CRC has done in our community. bewell to see the free of charge mental health Some important highlights of the work supports available. This pandemic has seen they’ve done in Manitoba during the COan increase in anxiety and depression so I VID-19 pandemic include: want to remind everyone that there is help • Provided contact tracing support with when you need it. Remember to reach out a team of up to 80 Red Cross callers who to family and friends when you need to talk have called and answered over 100,000 and check in on your loved ones. Physical calls. These calls have been integral in the distancing does not mean you have to be isolated. Hon. Myrna Driedger effort to notify contacts, isolate potential cases, and help to curb the spread. During my time as a nurse, I saw first Broadway • Assisted 11 long-term care homes by hand the immense power of vaccines. If Journal providing prevention and control advice you haven’t done so already, please book training and supplied teams of personnel to your appointment to get vaccinated. I am some of these care homes. so pleased to hear stories from my constitu• Helped with the supply of alternative isolation accoments who have received the vaccine and are eager to enjoy summer in a safe way while still following public health modations for First Nations individuals who were unable orders. Vaccines are an integral step on the path out of this to isolate at home in their communities. • Provided 10 nurses in support of ICU, medical, and pandemic. While we’re not out of the woods yet, I want to take a emergency departments. • Has assisted Stony Mountain Institution by providing moment to thank an impressive organization that has aided greatly in this fight against COVID-19, the Canadian prevention and control training. The Canadian Red Cross has also provided support to Red Cross. I am especially grateful to the Red Cross for their effort to curb and combat COVID-19. Their work the Manitoba First Nations Pandemic Response Coordinahas helped Manitoba navigate these unprecedented chal- tion Team after being invited by AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas. Some important highlights of this work include: lenges.

• Helped with alternative accommodations in Winnipeg. • Assisted in procuring and shipping supplies to First Nations Communities to support isolation sites. The Canadian Red Cross created and shipped isolation kits which included: cots, blankets, pillows, hygiene kits for isolation areas. Also procured hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, thermometers, gowns, and other supplies as needed by the community. These supplies went out to 61 First Nations communities. • Deployed Red Cross teams to support outbreak response. • Worked with First Nations to support vaccination clinics. In doing so deployed vaccinators and other support staff. • Has also offered psychological First Aid Training to members of First Nations in Manitoba. These actions undertaken by the Canadian Red Cross in Manitoba have played a tremendous role in this fight against the virus. Since the beginning of this difficult time, I have seen people come together and unite to navigate these challenging times. I’ve seen neighbours checking on neighbours, community members altering their lives, community groups developing virtual methods, and organizations spring into action. The Canadian Red Cross is one such group who sprang into action in our time of need. And they continue in their actions to help Manitobans. Thank you to the Canadian Red Cross and congratulations on all your hard work! Hon. Myrna Driedger is MLA for Roblin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Let the people know Continued from page 1

Agnes thought she had found a friend quoted. However, it does not mention and confederate in Duncan Pryde who the kidnapping and forced enrollment was running in the first election for of children in residential schools as described in the affidavits members of the newly that Carpenter had handed formed North West Terover to Pryde. Instead, ritorial Council. Pryde this book states, “When promised, when elected to the white man arrived in the Council, he would use the Arctic to stay, even the his influence to bring the older and most traditional ill treatment of children in Eskimos realized that their residential schools to the children must get a new attention of newspapers, kind of education, a white the police, and the govman’s education to make ernment hierarchy. When their way in the changing Pryde volunteered to soworld”. Rather than delicit more stories while on Wayne Weedon scribing how children were his campaign trail and to Food for subjected to malnourishtake them to Ottawa, Agment, forced labour, physines handed over to him her Thought cal abuse, sexual abuse, folder of affidavits. Pryde, rape, murder, forced steralong with the collection of stories, vanished, never to be seen by ilization, and other atrocities; including being cramped together in unventilated Agnes again. A few years later, Nunaga: My Land, dormitories with beds no more than a My Country, a book ghost written by foot apart, this book states, “They [the Ed Ogle but credited to Pryde, was pub- students] lived in warm, comfortable lished. Despite being a biased, one-sided residences with lots of room and even account, this book is considered a reliable cupboards and furniture of their own. source of true Arctic history, and is often They soon became accustomed to three

solid meals a day, and grown accustomed to sleeping on soft beds between clean sheets. They learned to like that way of life”. Carpenter’s allegations have been continuously ignored and nobody associated with Canadian residential schools has ever been brought to court to face their crimes. When Agnes and other former students started contacting lawyers, seeking justice, the Canadian federal government provided immunity from prosecution to everyone who was involved in Residential schools by creating The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC was authorised to award compensation to anyone who could prove they had attended a residential school. Because no school records have been available, it has been very difficult, and, in some cases, impossible for some to prove they had attended a residential school. The TRC has recorded stories from former students and they are ensuring that these stories are forever hidden from history, and never published, not even with fictitious names to protect the innocent. Eric DeJaeger, an Oblate priest was

brought to trial and convicted of sexually abusing Inuit children and committing other perverse acts. Unlike anyone working in Residential schools, this priest, along with many other fugitive priests, such as Johannes Rivoire, are not protected from prosecution under the TRC umbrella. However, to escape justice, many priests have fled to Europe. After more than thirty years Canada is still refusing to apply to have Father Rivoire extradited from his sanctuary in France, and it was not the Canadian government, the RCMP, nor Interpol who was responsible for bringing DeJaeger to justice, it was Lieve Halsberghe who volunteers for SNAP, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. The court documents concerning pedophiles such as DeJaeger and Rivoire are freely available to all Canadians. These X-Rated documents with stories similar to the ones in Agnes Carpenter’s collection of affidavits, provide much food for thought. Wayne Weedon is an Indigenous Manitoba writer of novels and short stories. To sample his wonderful work go to Wattpad. com.

When will politicians learn to budget like real people?

re you shocked about how gov- approved four years of rate increases ernments spend our money? outside of the budget. It's a half-truth, Why does the city pay $3 for political mumbo-jumbo, nothing but spin. something that would Look back in time. cost you and me $1? Why List all the promises can't the city take care and check off the ones of our parks and bouleachieved. There will be vards? We pay for all that. a big difference between We shouldn't have to pay the two lists. It reminds more each year and always me of a conversation I get less in return. had with Ron Joyce, a There are so many poCanadian business icon litical claims of perfection (Tim Horton’s), who and grandstanding but no said, "Put a dollar in a jar discussion or evidence of for every promise a polithe facts. We have another Councillor tician makes. When they budget before us, and I'm get elected, take a dollar sure you can predict what Kevin Klein will be said by the savvy Inside City Hall out every time that politician comes good on a career politicians. promise. You will always "This budget isn't perfect, but it's the best we can do." 'Re- have money." cord spending on Public Safety." "No When you do a budget for your water and sewer rate increase in the home, you don't have the luxury of givbudget." Is that true? No, this council ing yourself a raise to bring in more 4

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money. You can't stop the regular maintenance of your home, or vehicle, and you certainly can't keep increasing the amount of debt you take on year after year. Imagine you hired a group of people to budget your money and provide the basic needs of life, and that group gave you less for more each year and doubled your debt. Then, what if the group didn't tell you how they spent each dollar of your money? We all know the answer. Politicians are elected to represent the people of their community. Too often, once elected, it's more about them. What if you wanted to ask your employee a question on how your money is spent? You called and left a message but got no reply. You called again days later, and still no response from that employee. Nothing, crickets. What would you do? I urge you to become engaged and let your voice be heard when services

drop, taxes go up, crime increases, and the city continues to crumble before your eyes. The mayor and his inner circle are preparing for another year of increased taxes and reduced services in the budget, making now the time to say no to the status quo. Call your employee (City Councillor, the Mayor), demand answers. Tell them how you want your money spent and on what. The City of Winnipeg's primary responsibility is to provide you with essential services. These services are not free. You pay for each service the city offers, which is how government should spend your tax dollars. Ask as many questions as you want, demand honest answers. After all, it's your employee, and soon, that employee will be asking for their contract renewed (to be elected again in 2022). Kevin Klein is the city councillor for Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood. August 2021

Electric vehicle development Volker Beckman Part one of a two part piece.

ave you heard? There is a tsunami coming! Or as some say, a major disruption in transportation around the globe. Well, how about in Manitoba, or not? Hold that thought! The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EV) in the past five years is truly remarkable and predictions are that this will keep happening. The world wants cleaner transportation, less pollution, and attempts to reverse, or at least stall, climate change. It didn’t take long for American President Biden to declare some directives to show where his government is heading. Canceling the Keystone Pipeline project was a great disappointment and will have a negative impact on Alberta’s oil economy. Biden’s commitment to electrify the American government’s fleet of 600,000 vehicles and add 50,000 EV charging stations provides strong direction. Of course, the USA is trying to catch up to China and Europe. In 2015, China had very few electric cars. Since then, they have made great strides to build and sell more EVs than any country in the world. China already has its own EV industry. Then Tesla built a Gigafactory in Shanghai in 2019 that will produce 500,000 cars a year. Tesla is also building Gigafactories in Texas and Germany. They are the dominant world leader. Europe’s EV industry is also growing at warp speed. The push to clean energy has resulted in 11 countries banning all new gas-powered car sales by 2025. Volkswagen, after paying billion-dollar

The demand for electric cars continues to grow - can Manitoba be a part of it? fines for “diesel gate”, is going all electric. Norway has reached the level of 70 per cent of all cars being sold as electric. Some countries are using a stick and carrot approach – penalties for keeping gas burners and rebates if you purchase a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). In Canada, only 3.5 per cent of all cars are EVs, and in 2020, 95 per cent were purchased in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. That’s a result of these provinces offering incentives to buy, that there are EVs available for purchase, and are there adequate rapid charging stations to reduce “range anxiety”. British Columbia has the highest per capita number of EVs because of federal and provincial incentive programs for purchasing, fleet assessment, charging infrastructure for buildings, and public rapid chargers in rural and northern areas. The Québec government is offering individuals and businesses a rebate of up to $8,000 on the purchase or lease of a

new electric vehicle. Hydro-Québec will install up to 4,500 standard electric vehicle charging stations in urban centres by 2028. New Brunswick is offering a $5,000 rebate for new EV purchases. The Government of Prince Edward Island offers $5,000 to Islanders who purchase a new or used EV, and a free Level 2 charger to people who purchase an EV. Natural Resources Canada is cofunding investments with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to build 28 EV chargers across the province that will “create good, middle-class jobs and support Canada’s transition to a clean energy future by reducing pollution”. Automobile sales worldwide declined by approximately 20 per cent last year when the pandemic hit, and people stopped traveling. Yet, EV sales still increased. The trend and momentum for ZEVs is strong and clear. This interest reflects a strong global desire to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Are

the recent heat waves and record high temperatures in Canada and the USA indicative of what climate change is bringing? Oil industry analysts are predicting the demand for oil worldwide is declining. Even Arab states are looking at alternate investments to diversify their economies. My first experience with EVs was at a car show in Winnipeg in 2019 hosted by Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association, MEVA. I had a chance to ride in a Tesla and was amazed at what a pure electric car can do. Quiet, clean, incredible acceleration and speed, and with few moving parts there is little concern about maintenance expenses. The cost to drive annually is one-tenth the cost of an internal combustion engine (ICE). EV batteries are getting stronger and better every year. There are already newer batteries that will provide a 500 to 1,000 km range. Reminds me of my first DOS computer in the 1990s with a 40 mb hard drive that cost $3,300. Compare that today to a 32 GB USB drive for only ten bucks. That’s where EV technology is headed. So, here I live, in Thompson, Manitoba, the Hub of the North, 750 km north of Winnipeg. I’d love to buy an EV tomorrow, but can’t drive it to southern Manitoba. The north is hindered by a lack of EV charging infrastructure. Why? Volker Beckmann is a Thompson businessman, recipient of: Order of Thompson, Senate Canada 150 Award, and the Rotary Paul Harris Award. He is a passionate northerner. ••• Look for part 2 of Volker’s discussion about EV in the September issue and what is possible for the north of our province if we seize the day! -ED.

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Let us look at a little bit of the history of Roseberry Street Continued from page 1

1971, Bob played on four Canadian gave away free root beer with a burger Men’s Open Championship teams. purchase. A&W closed in the 1970s. Bob bowled two perfect games. In Salisbury House, with the car hops 1971, Premier Ed Schreyer present- long gone, closed in October 2020. ed Bob with the order of the Buffalo Could restaurants with car hops return in the post pandemHunt. In 2009, Bob was ic world? voted one of the top 100 Ross Electronics was Canadian Male Bowllocated at St. Matthews ers for the previous 100 and Roseberry. The ownyears. er, Eldon Ross, served as During the 1950s, a Winnipeg City CounDonna and Ray Andert cillor between 1971 raised their young famand 1980. Eldon always ily on Roseberry. Donfound a way to get things na, a professional singer done. An indoor swimsang on the CKRC Barn ming pool at 1887 PaDance, the CBW Polka cific Avenue is named in Party, and Happy Land his honour. on CBWT. In 1957, Fred Morris Portage and Donna and other memFrom the desk Roseberry bers of St. Stephens Luof a gadfly Besides the previously theran Church put on mentioned Dance Hall, a joint fundraiser at the there have been various meeting placGlenboro Lutheran Church. George and Lina Henderson were es around Portage and Roseberry. In dedicated community volunteers for 1912, a building was moved from Borde Aire and Bourkevale Commu- the old St. James Anglican Church grounds to 200 Roseberry Street. nity Clubs. Greg Armstrong studied both com- An addition was soon added. For the merce and divinity. He served as priest next four decades, Roseberry Hall in the Keewatin and Rupertsland Dio- was used for many St. James Anglican ceses which included St. James Angli- Church and community events. Since 1948, the Bethel Baptist can. Church has been located at 205 RoseRoseberry between St. berry. Street. Between 1926 and 1957, Matthews and Ellice During the 1950s, Salisbury House the Classic Theatre operated at 1837 and A&W with car hops were built Portage. The Classic Theatre building at the corner of Ellice and Roseberry. is now a billiard room and restaurant. The Good Earth Chop Suey House During their 1959 opening, A&W

is located on the northwest corner of Portage and Roseberry. Chicken Delight has been in almost continuous operation for almost 60 years in exactly the same location despite being known by three different addresses (1855 and a half, 1855, and 1855 A). Woolworths, Roseberry Esso, Dutch Maid Ice Cream, Ding Dong Dell, and the Olympia Cafe are no longer at the corner. They are fondly remembered. Many well-known people have worked near the corner of Portage and Roseberry. Harry Monk Sr. of College Electric at 1857 and a half Portage played with the Jimmy Welsh rink on three Manitoba Men’s Curling Championship teams and three Grand Aggregate Champions. In 1947, the Welsh team won the Brier going undefeated. In 1997, the Welsh team was inducted into the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame. Al Mackling, who later became Manitoba’s Attorney General, practiced law at 1835 Portage Avenue. In the early 1960s Howard Pawley a future Premier articled at the same firm. Dwight Johnston an architect had an office at 1856 Portage Avenue. Dwight’s projects included the Lyle Street Police Station, the Astra Credit Union at 1907 Portage Avenue, and the St. James Civic Centre. For much of the past century, there have been two Banks near the corner of Portage and Roseberry Street. In the 1915 Henderson Directory the

Bank of Ottawa is listed at 1835 Portage. After a 1919 merger, the Bank became known as the Bank of Nova Scotia and became a fixture at 1847 Portage. The Bank of Nova Scotia permanently closed in the early 2000s. In the 1922 Henderson Directory, the Royal Bank was listed at 1861 Portage (later at 1863 Portage Avenue.) Earlier this year, the Royal Bank announced the closure of this branch effective October 21, 2021. There will no longer be any of the big five banks on the Portage Avenue between St. James Street and Sturgeon Road. There is no financial reason to close this Royal Bank. During the first quarter of 2021, the Royal Bank recorded a profit of $4 Billion. (1) Clients do not want to rely on their home computer and 1-800 phone numbers for all their banking needs. Anyone who shares my concerns about this bank closure should contact Leah Gazan, the area MP, at 204 984 1675 or Leah.Gazan@parl.gc.ca. Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist. ••• In the September Lifestyles 55, the Top 100 St. James Citizens list will be published. Any last-minute nominations will be accepted prior to the August 13, 2021. Your feedback on Roseberry Street will be archived by the city. ••• Notes: 1. Global News May 30, 2021 Nicole Gibillini.

Letters

Shirley likes us!

very month I mean to tell you that your paper gets better and better. I very much enjoy reading all the articles especially the ones of northern Manitoba. How did you come about starting this paper? It is refreshing to read, and I always learn something. Shirley Render

Thanks for the praise

y grandfather immigrated from the Ukraine to Canada in 1906 to get away from war and starvation in his home country. He was a farmer and purchased land in southern Manitoba. Once in Canada he became a Canadian citizen. When he arrived in Manitoba, his only language was Ukranian and he required an interpreter (a Ukranian, like himself, who spoke English) to purchase his farm property and obtain a mortgage. The farmland, one square mile, was only grass, rocks and trees. My grandfather had to clear the grass, rocks and trees to begin to farm. He had to pull out the trees and rocks with his bare hands and use a horse and plow to clear his fields. He had to build his house, furniture and barn from the trees that were available on his property. There was no gas line to heat the house, so he used wood burning stoves to keep the house warm and cook his meals. There was no electricity, so he had to use oil lamps for light. Electricity was not available until the ‘60s. And there was no running water, so he had to in6

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stall a hand pump which linked to the underground stream and pump water needed for drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, etc. into pails. There was a creek nearby for drinking water for the livestock. My grandfather had mixed farming. He had a horse, some cattle, chickens and pigs. He grew wheat on his fields. My grandmother would sell the eggs, milk and cream to buy necessities (sugar, processed flour, salt, etc.) and any money collected was used to pay down the mortgage and pay taxes. My grandparents lived through both World Wars and the Depression. What had been produced on the farm was used to feed Manitobans and Canadians across this country and other poorer and starving countries in the world. Western farmers produced enough wheat to supply the World Food Program and earn Canada’s title “The Breadbasket of the World”, no small feat by Canadian farmers. So, when the Premier of Manitoba, Brian Pallister, praises colonists (see Winnipeg Free Press “Praising colonists costs Pallister cabinet minister” Thursday, July 15, 2021, “He refuses to apologize for his comments last week”), Pallister does not need to apologize – there is nothing wrong, or racist, when praising people who deserve praise. When Pallister said, “People who came to Canada, both before and after it was a country, came not to destroy anything but to build communities, churches and businesses.” His statement was true. My grandfather did contribute to the building of Canada. He wanted a better life and was willing to work hard for it. My grandfather’s labour provided food on the table for himself, for Manitobans and Canadians, and, as well, the world. Farmers today are continuing my grandfather’s legacy of keeping Manitobans and Canadians

safe from starvation. I am thankful to be living in a country where I do not have to go hungry as the stores always have their shelves stocked with food and a person can buy as much food as they want. Thank you to the farmers of Manitoba and Canada. Thank you, Mr. Pallister, for your praise. L. Jansen

“No” to Vax Passports for this reader Re: Certifying the COVID-19 Community (July 2021 edition).

erbert Grubel gives a good overview of what might be involved in the production of Immune Certificate Cards (ICC) that would be “obtained voluntarily, free of charge and entitle bearers to certain benefits.” I suggest this is not a good idea. Here’s my take on the situation: • The current vaccines do not provide immunity from Covid-19. At most they promise to curtail a five-day Covid-19 illness down to three days. Technically, these are just medical products, not vaccines, and should not be used as proof of immunity. • A recent news report said of 100 Covid-19 patients in hospital, 70 were unvaccinated and 30 had had the “jab.” The implication was, “See, the unvaccinated are in the majority.” The bigger question is “Why are 30 people (one third of the total) so sick they need hospital care and yet they were

vaccinated?” • Some writers claim that vaccinated people can shed the virus. Their bodies become “virus factories.” Remember, this is the first time mRNA shots have been licensed (on a trial basis) for public consumption. A high number of adverse reactions are being reported. Perhaps we should wait to see how many people get sick from the vaccine before mandating it further. • Our Canadian government is already in deep debt from Covid-19. Mr. Grubel blithely states that existing credit companies could easily expand to issue an Immune Certificate Card “if the federal government pays for the cost.” That government is funded by you and me. Do we really want to pay for such a certificate? For the above reasons, I am against any government issuing Immune Certificate Cards. Anna Olson

No more Nicole

fter having the honour and privilege of leading On Screen Manitoba for ten and half years, I am leaving to take on the role as Executive Director of the new Strategic Policy Branch, Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage. I leave you in the very competent hands of Interim Executive, Cali Ramsey, who has been On Screen Manitoba’s Operations Manager since January 2016. Nicole Matiation We are very sorry to lose Nicole who has been such a positive force for film in Manitoba. We look forward to working with Cali Ramsay. – Ed. August 2021

Remembering Rosemarie Kuptana as we welcome Governor General Mary Simon Dorothy Dobbie

Rosemarie Kuptana

ack in my long ago, albeit brief life as an MP, as parliamentary Secretary to the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs I was sent to Labrador to take part in a meeting of senior Indigenous leaders who were discussing how to deal with a spate of suicides by young Inuit people. Of course, I had no answers. All I could do was take notes and hope that the folks understood my sincerity and wanting to help find answers. At that meeting was a young woman who was, at the time, representing the Inuit Tapirisat (now Tapiriit Kanatami), Rosemarie Kuptana. Our new Governor General Mary Simon was also at that meeting. It was along and difficult day with some very moving and frank discussion. When it was over, we learned that all commercial flights had been cancelled due to weather conditions. I had been sent there on a chartered flight and I had reason to get back to Ottawa – who knows what was so urgent, but being the conscientious fool that I am, I felt obligated to risk life and limb to fly back, and my pilot was willing. I offered Rosemary a lift which she accepted gladly. Like me, she probably also felt her obligations very sincerely. On the long flight in the tiny and intimate space of this small plane, we made good friends. Rosemarie told me about her life, I think to help me better understand what was behind the suicides. “They came for us when I was seven,” she said, ‘’my little brother and me. We didn’t know what was going on, just that our parents weren’t coming with us.” She went on to explain how strange and frightening everything was; going on a plane for the first time was terrifying, but when they arrived at their destination, there were more alien and frightening experiences. Everyone was speaking English and the children couldn’t understand. Her little brother started to cry. He cried himself to sleep. The next day, they were separated. “Speak English! Speak English!” was the constant command and as they were forced to learn they were punished for slipping into their own language. Eventually, Rosemary settled in and gradually learned the new language, but many nights were spent in silent tears. Come summer, the children were rounded up and sent home to their family for the holiday. It should have been a joyful reunion, but it was not. They were already forgetting their language. They had become alienated from their community and even their parents. They like strangers in what had so recently been the comfort of home. Their sense of abandonment was profound. They now felt accepted nowhere. We talked through the whole journey, and I asked many questions trying to understand what I don’t think Rosemary herself really understood. No doubt she does now, but it was early in her career. A few weeks later, she invited me to her home for a dinner of caribou stew, which was delicious, and we picked

Rosemarie Kuptana. up where we left off. I liked her immensely and we promised to stay friends, but life has a way of intervening, and we never got the chance to move our friendship forward. I often think about her though and wish her well . . .not that she needs it. She is a talented and capable woman and has made an amazing career. I have told her story often to people who had influence, trying to help them understand what I barely grasped myself. I have written about this in the past, relating the experience and its effect on second generations to what happened to children of war veterans. It didn’t hold true in every case, but many children seemed to inherit the trauma, much the way a bird knows where the family nesting place is or how to return along the route of the traditional migration. We don’t know how they know, but their actions prove that they do. What happens to our fathers and grandfathers has the ability io impact us greatly. The way forward So how do we use this understanding to help our Indigenous community heal? I don’t know. And neither does anyone else. We can see that the Indian Act and welfare is not the way. Perhaps we can start by doing what they ask: accept them with true open hearts, while respecting their views and ways with and according them all dignity. And toward the future and reconciliation, that we give them a chance to excel in the myriad ways they can. Specifically at this moment, we must respond to the TRC Call to Action, No. 77: We call upon provincial, territorial, municipal, and community archives to work collaboratively with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to identify and collect copies of all records relevant to the history and legacy of the residential school system, and to provide these to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. I cannot see why this has not already been produced! If not all the 94 requests are possible, at least discuss

Born in an igloo in the Prince of Wales Strait, Rosemarie Kuptana’s father, who worked for government, moved to Sachs Harbour when she was six. She spent a decade at residential school. She was just 21 when she started working on Land claims and she was just 34 when I met her, already vice chair of the Circumpolar Conference and later to become president of the Inuit Tapirisat. She worked for CBC Northern from 1979 and was the president of the Inuit Broadcasting Television Corporation from 1983 to 1988. As our contributor, Wayne Weedon, who spent time at Sachs Harbour, wrote to me, “People from Sachs Harbour and Holman Island were mostly related and frequently visited each other, mostly travelling by dog-team. These two settlements were built by the federal government in order for Canada to have permanent settlements on land which was inhabited only by nomads. There were Kuptanas in both places. I met William and Sarah, Rosemarie’s parents but I do not remember Rosemarie. She was probably still away at school when I left Holman Island in 1967.” As noted by Trent University: “Ms. Kuptana’s cultural and political influence reaches beyond the Arctic. Whether in Ottawa, Moscow or Geneva, she is recognized as a strong advocate for the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and self-government.” This is still a small country and many of us are connected in ways we have forgotten. Hopefully, Rosemarie’s friend, Governor General Mary Simon, can help us remember that. the issues and try to find compromise (but I think they are all possible). Having taken the requests of the TRC seriously, including the addition to the citizenship oath to respect the Treaties, we must somehow fall in step beside our co-founders of this country. And our Indigenous citizens ARE co-founders of Canada. They have worked hard to build on the European way of life that our ancestors brought here, because it offered many benefits along with its trauma, and they fought side by side with our solider in defending it. They also taught us how to live with the land and accept its bounty with grace, the way they always had. We would not have survived in bringing these alien ways to a virgin terrain, forcing it to respond to the way they had learned to live across the sea, if we had not first had the counselling, teachings and example from our Indigenous friends. And we did learn from them, not just about husbanding what is here, but many things about how to get along together and even lessons that we apply today to our governmental lives. Did you know that the word “caucus” is from the Algonquian word “caucauasu” meaning counselor, elder, or adviser, to explain the role of the meeting of a group of leaders? There are many ordinary, everyday words we have assimilated from native languages that enrich our language. We have now lived together on this continent for more than 400 years. It is time to learn to really LIVE together.

Manitoba’s model at a dead end? Graham Lane

ave we lost our mojo? How do we get it back? Circa 1915, Winnipeg was frequently described as a second Chicago, a serious transportation hub with a bustling private economy. In 1921, it was the third-largest city in Canada. In the 1960s, Winnipeg was western Canada’s corporate headquarters city. Today Winnipeg is Canada’s ninth-largest city, known more in the U.S., if not by most Canadians, for the Winnipeg Jets. Meanwhile, senior management roles at major Winnipegbased corporations continue to shift to Ontario. From a population, economic and political perspective, Manitoba’s weight is in the same category as the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador. Manitoba has never been the home of a Canadian Prime Minister*. At federal election time, the focus is on seat-rich Ontario and Quebec, certainly not on Manitoba’s 14 ridings. As to deliberations on heavy’ economic issues, both the governing party and the opposition focus on Ontario and Quebec. Even Manitoba’s more affluent western neighbours get more attention in Ottawa. Manitoba’s provincial government depends on long calcified federal transfer programs to fund an astounding 37 per cent of its budget. The federal government’s finances, in turn, depends disproportionately on tax revenues from a few so-called rich provinces to help fund the essential public services of the other poorer, so-called have-not provinces through its dysfunctional and increasingly divisive 64-year-old equalization program. August 2021

Our mojo is not in government jobs! Until Manitoba can return to a business-driven, private sector economy, we will continue to fall further behind. We cannot sustain an economy where over 23 per cent of the jobs are in the public sector. That is compared to Canada where 16.3 percent of all jobs are in the public sector. Not that Canada has anything to brag about. Government accounts for 44 per cent of our economy compared to 35.6 per cent n the U. S. -ED This was less of a problem when the federal government was relatively flush and had small overall federal deficits. Much research shows that inter-governmental transfers tend to stick to the public sectors in recipient provinces – have-nots have significantly larger government sectors per capita than have provinces like Ontario, B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. Manitoba’s weight in the federation continues to decline – with about four per cent of Canada’s population, its share of the total economy has fallen to 3.2 per cent. By choosing to fight Covid-19 by locking down the economy, the federal government increased its borrowings by an astounding half a trillion dollars, falling back on the Bank of Canada’s printing press. In this new reality, Manitoba finds itself leaning on a wounded bison – Canada’s federal government. Let’s not be naïve, Canada’s transfer program will likely be sideswiped by the Trudeau government’s fiscal Covid-19 bonfire. It will also be aggravated by foolish anti-energy federal climate policies that are suffocating the

country’s largest source of tax and export revenue. Blocking pipelines to highly-priced Asian market forces Canadian producers to be a price-taker in the U.S. market – depressing prices to industry and tax revenue to government. Especially egregious is Quebec’s blockage of the Energy East pipeline which would see domestic oil from western Canada displace expensive foreign imports from Saudi Arabia. Quebec receives about half of the equalization pie, benefiting unfairly from a loophole in the equalization formula which exempts its electricity exports. This jiggery-pokery will figure in Alberta’s upcoming equalization referendum, which could be a prelude to a sharply accelerating discussion around western separation. Manitoba, with its 1970s-era big government plus high taxes model, is heading for an overall $60 billion debt (including Manitoba Hydro!), is totally unprepared for coming national higher-level fiscal and political storms. And, this time, the federal government, facing its own fiscal chaos, is in little position to help. Newfoundland and Labrador is not the only Canadian government that needs another economic model. Graham Lane, a retired CPA CA, is a member of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy’s expert advisory panel. ••• Notes: *Technically, Arthur Meighen, a Portage la Prairie lawyer, was Prime Minister from 1920 to 1921 and again for a few months in 1926. He was a Conservative. **As a percentage of jobs in the province, Manitoba has the second-largest public sector in the country at 23.35 per cent.” – Frontier Centre. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Chicken, we all really love it: Barbecue roasted chicken A

very versatile meat, cold, hot, boiled, roasted, or fried, barbecued chicken can be cooked just about any way you can think of varied with an abundance of different seasonings and toppings including sauces. Most of the time we tend to grill when using the barbecue. After all flame food is good food. But sometimes I think of the grill as an oven, and why not? You can regulate the temperature just like you can in Ian Leatt an oven. Foodies So tonight, the barbecue is fired up, delicious aroma fills the air, there is something hot, sticky, and mouthwatering for your evening meal treat: barbecue roasted chicken. Ingredients: 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup of honey 1/3 cup light brown sugar ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons finely chopped ginger. 5 cloves garlic 6 chicken breasts 4 green onions finely chopped. Pinch of freshly ground black pepper. 2 tablespoons sesame seeds The all-important how-to In a large Ziploc bag, add the balsamic vinegar, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic cloves, black pepper, and ginger. Add the chicken to the bag then seal the bag. Mix all the ingredients together, then place in the fridge to marinate for a minimum of two hours. Fire up the barbecue. Once you have reached the desired temperature of 400 degrees F you are ready

Nothing like a good chicken barbecue in summer! to go. Remove the chicken from the fridge and place in a large foil baking tray. Keeping as much of the marinade in the bag as you can, we have not finished with this. Place the chicken into the barbecue close the lid and leave to cook, 30 minutes should do the trick.

Place the residual marinade in a saucepan and turn on to a medium heat, let simmer to thicken the sauce. Once the sauce has thickened, use a basting brush to paint the chicken pieces, nice and thickly. Set aside the remaining sauce for one final step. Now that the chicken is cooked,

remove from the heat placing each piece on to a serving platter. Pour over the remaining sauce and dress with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Sit back and enjoy, with salad and fresh potatoes. Ian Leatt is general manager of Pegasus Publications and a trained chef.

What to do when your stucco is in need of some TLC

Spray with water once again, then s our houses age, the work mounts up. Keeping on top of apply the second coat of mixture to repairs is how we save money within one-eighth inch of the final surface, using the trowel. and keep our home safe Smooth the stucco and and looking great. Reglet cure once again for a ular maintenance saves further two days. money in the long run. For the final coat, spray Stucco plays an intethe area once again with gral role in keeping our water, and using a metal home looking good, trowel apply the stucco with its very-durable ceto a flush finish matchment like siding. Howing the area’s texture to ever, it can crack and the rest of the wall surleave holes over time. face. Roughen it for the While it is best to leave typical stucco finish or large cracks and holes to smooth and wave, etc. a stucco specialist, smallBrent Poole Once completed leave to er issues can be taken Home cure for four days. care of if you have some Improvements Top Tip: when repairexperience in home reing deep holes, infill the pairs. patch with many layers Here is what you need allowing to cure over the given days. to do when repairing a hole: Repairing cracks Remove the loose stucco from the Cracks in stucco is a common probhole or crack using a chisel and hammer. Once the area is clear, staple new lem, being made of cement. When wire mesh over the damaged area. a house settles over time or there is Spray with water, to ensure the area is movement in the ground unfortunately the stucco cracks. clean of any remaining debris. You may have heard your contractor Using a mason’s trowel, apply the first coat of stucco to within quarter- say that there are several hairline cracks, inch of the surface, pressing hard to these are fine cracks that are easy to reensure that the mixture passes through pair. Use a coat of acrylic latex paint the wire mesh. Once the surface is firm that matches the side of your home, to touch, scratch the new surface with it will probably do the job perfectly. a nail to roughen it. Leave to cure for However, if the crack is larger, you can fill it with a latex caulking compound two days. 8

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Keep on top of stucco repairs and save yourself from unnecessary grief. first. Then once completely dry finish by painting the surface with acrylic latex paint. Weathered or stained Stucco Stucco is a very tough surface but over time it can look dull and weathered. It is dissimilar to other siding materials and shouldn’t be painted over with standard outdoor paint. Stucco needs to breathe. If you don’t use the right paint, interior moisture can get behind the paint leading to blistering

or peeling. The best way is to have the wall redashed by a stucco contractor. If you are thinking about repairs always connect with your contractor, they are happy to advise. 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!” August 2021

Social participation – getting connected and staying connected Connie Newman

s we move into our new normal we must remember to take care of ourselves first. Part of taking care of ourselves is to make good decisions as we take steps into the new normal: • Get vaccinated • Continue to wear a mask when in a crowd or close contact inside • Wash your hands often • Check in regularly with your network via telephone, text, social media, skype, etc. • Check in with people you know who live alone • Join a Centre We know that opening the door to being involved in a Centre or group may be a scary thing. The importance to personal well-being and your own quality of life is essential. Getting involved in community program and activity increases your own confidence and vitality in people and of how staying engaged in community can be a lifesaving action for older people, as well as a service to a family members who feel comfortable knowing that older relatives are safely engaged in programs. Research by S. Novek, V. Menec, T. Tran and S. Bell (August 2013) on senior centres showed that participation is associated with social, mental, and physical health benefits. Senior centres promote health by providing health and support services, encouraging active and healthy aging, and by fostering a social environment that is conducive to social participation and well-being. Senior centres are also ideal venues for health promotion interventions, such as falls prevention, influenza vaccines, diabetes management, and so forth. Key findings from our interviews with older adults are:

• Virtually all participants felt that the activities they engage in almost always or often give them a sense of accomplishment. • 80 per cent or more also felt that the activities increased their knowledge, helped them gain self-confidence, and provided an opportunity to try new things. • The vast majority of participants thought that the activities provided them with social benefits, allowing them to socially interact, be part of a community, and develop close relationships. • 88 per cent of participants indicated that it is almost always or often true that the activities help them stay healthy. The vast majority of participants also indicated that the activities contribute to their emotional well-being (90 per cent), and help them to relieve stress (85 per cent). • 90 per cent of participants indicated that the activities contribute to their emotional wellbeing and 85 per cent reported that the activities help them to relieve stress. Research (James et al., 2011) suggests that if we could increase older adults’ activity level by one social activity, we could reduce the proportion of people with ADL (Activities of Daily Living) disabilities from 38 per cent to 21.7 per cent - a 16.3 per cent decrease. Put another way, for every 7 older adults who increase their social activity level, one person would remain disability-free within about a 5-year time frame. We would further reduce the proportion of older adults who develop a mobility disability from 62 per cent to 43 per cent - a 19 per cent decrease. In other words, for every 6 older adults who increase their social activity level, one person would not develop mobility disability. • Opportunities to stay active and socially engaged helped several participants cope with mental illness and addictions. • Senior centres promoted older adult health by providing opportunities for physical activity and access to health

Looking ahead…

t is hard to believe that it’s August already and time vent falls and provide older adults with a greater sense to start thinking about what we might want to par- of safety in their home, which will allow older adults to increase their independence and engage ticipate in come September. A & in meaningful activities. The SafetyAid: O: Support Services for Older Adults is Falls Prevention Program is made up of pleased to be able to provide safe, accesthe following components: sible and free of charge programming op• Fall risk assessment (Fall Clinic) tions for older adults living in the com• Exercise program (24-weeks) munity. SafetyAid: Falls Prevention Program • Education (with the exercise program) A & O has launched the newly revised • Home assessment SafetyAid Program. This program is the This program is structured to ensure first of its kind in Canada! it both fills a community need, and emA & O: SafetyAid is an evidence-based comploys best practices in addressing falls Support Services for munity fall prevention program for older prevention. Older Adults Winnipeggers 65 years of age and older. Senior Immigrant Settlement Services The program assesses and provides inThis program offers a wide range of terventions regarding fall risk to older settlement services for newcomers 55 adults. The purpose of the SafetyAid program is to pre- years of age and over. Our Settlement Orientation for

August 2021

information, education and health services. • Senior centres offered a range of educational opportunities that promoted learning, creativity, and skills development. • Volunteering opportunities enabled older adults to socialize, contribute to their communities, and share their knowledge and skills. As an association, MASC is committed to facilitating healthy aging connected to community life, for older Manitobans and their families, by integrating program design and delivery of front line services through leadership, learning, connection and community engagement. We provide: • Service and support to its member centres and organizations • Stewardship of the Age Friendly Manitoba Initiative • Sharing of the voice of older Manitobans • Strong leadership to front line service providers, undertaking key roles as: - Collaborator - working jointly on a project. - Enabler - making something possible - Facilitator - making an action or process easier - Convener - gathering people together. Our Vision is Age-friendly places (communities) for all. We facilitate healthy aging by providing leadership and encouraging collaboration in creating age-friendly places (communities) that optimize the ability of all older Manitobans to do the things they feel. Contact MASC to learn more about their services and connecting with a senior centre near you: Email info@ manitobaseniorcentres.com or hello@agefriendlymanitoba.com; websites: www.manitobaseniorcentres.com or www.agefriendlymanitoba.com Connie Newman is the Executive Director of the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres.

Seniors program is a group orientation where participants learn about important settlement topics such as law, health and safety, housing, transportation, money and banking and community information. Upon completing the orientation, participants are referred to The Winnipeg English Language Assessment and Referral Centre (WELARC) for a language assessment appointment. They may then register for our English Language Program for seniors or are welcome to join one of our English Conversation Classes. A settlement worker is also available to provide additional information about community programs and services, to assist with forms and documents and offer opportunities to connect with other older adults in the community. To learn more about these programs or any of the agency’s other innovative programs and services please contact A & O at 204-956-6440 or visit www.aosupportservices.ca Supporting older adults in aging well since 1957.

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Directory

Northern AREA

Flin Flon Seniors 2 North Avenue, Flin Flon (204) 687-7301 Jubilee Recreation of Cranberry Portage Legion Hall, 217 2nd Ave. SE, Cranberry Portage (204) 472-3031 Snow Lake Seniors 71 Balsam St., Snow Lake (204) 358-2151 The Pas Golden Agers 324 Ross Ave., The Pas (204) 623-3663 Interlake AREA Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre 17 North Colonization Rd., Gimli (204) 642-7909 www.gimlinewhorizons.com Gordon Howard Centre 384 Eveline St., Selkirk (204) 785-2092 www.gordonhoward.ca

(204) 638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com Grandview Seniors Drop In 432 Main St., Grandview (204) 546-2272 Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Rd. N., Portage la Prairie (204) 857-6951 www.hermanpriorcentre.com Minnedosa Senior Citizens Assoc. 31 Main St. S., Minnedosa (204) 867-1956 Morden Activity Centre 306 N. Railway St., Morden (204) 822-3555 www.mordenseniors.ca Neepawa Drop In Centre 310 Davidson St., Neepawa (204) 476-5103 www.neepawa.ca/district-drop-in-center Pilot Mound Fellowship Club 203 Broadway, Pilot Mound (204) 825-2436

Grand Marais & District Seniors 36058 PTH 12, Grand Marais (204) 770-6124

Plumas Senior Citizens Club Inc. 102 White St., Plumas (204) 386-2029

Riverton Seniors Activity Centre 12 Main St., Riverton (204) 378-2800

Portage Service for Seniors 40A Royal Road N., Portage la Prairie (204) 239-6312

South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st St. W., Stonewall (204) 467-2582 www.si55plus.org

Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St., Sandy Lake (204) 585-2411

Eastman AREA Beau-head Senior Centre 645 Park Ave., Beausejour (204) 268-2444 East Beaches Social Scene 3 Ateah Rd., Victoria Beach (204) 756-6468 www.ebseniorscene.ca East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road, Victoria Beach (204) 756-6471 www.ebseniorscene.ca Pat Porter Active Living Centre 10 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach (204) 320-4600 www.patporteralc.com Central AREA Carman Active Living Centre 47 Ed Belfour Drive, Carman (204) 745-2356 www.activelivingcentrecarman.ca Crystal City & District Friendship Club Inc. 117 Broadway St., Crystal City (204) 873-2091 Dauphin Multi-Purpose Senior Centre 55 1st Ave. SE, Dauphin

The Comfort Drop In Spot 31 Main St., Erickson (204) 636-7895 Treherne Friendship Centre 190 Broadway St., Treherne (204) 723-2559 Winkler & District Multipurpose Senior Centre 102 - 650 South Railway Ave., Winkler (204) 325-8964 www.winklerseniorcentre.com Brandon AREA Age Friendly Committee of Council Brandon 638 Princess Ave., Brandon (204) 729-2259 Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op 311 Park Ave., East, Brandon (204) 571-2052 www.brandons4s.ca Killarney Service for Seniors 203 South Railway, Killarney (204) 523-7115 Prairie Oasis Centre 241 8th St., Brandon (204) 727-6641 www.prairieoasis.ca

Winnipeg AREA 20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200 - 20 Fort St., Winnipeg (204) 233-6079 A & O Support Services for Older Adults Inc. 200 - 280 Smith St., Winnipeg (204) 956-6440 www.aosupportservices.ca Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre - Winnipeg 527 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg (204) 586-4595 www.asrcwpg.org 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

Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg (204) 669-1710 www.gnalc.ca Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 339-1701 www.gwensecter.com Headingley Seniors’ Services 5353 Portage Ave., Winnipeg (204) 889-3132 Ext. 3 www.headingleyseniorservices.ca Manitoba Korean 55+ Centre 900-150 River Ave., Winnipeg (204) 996-7003 www.ksam.ca Pembina Active Living 55+ 50 Barnes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-0839 www.pal55plus.com

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

Rady Jewish Community Centre 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg (204) 477-7510 www.radyjcc.com

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

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

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

South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 117-1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg 204-478-6169 www.swsrc.ca resources@swsrc.ca

Centro Caboto Centre 1055 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 487-4597 www.cabotocentre.com Charleswood Senior Centre 5006 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 897-5263 www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org Creative Retirement MB 448 Burnell St., Winnipeg (204) 949-2569 www.creativeretirementmanitoba.ca Crescent Fort Rouge United Church 55+ 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg (204) 489-1925 Dakota Comm. Centre - Dakota 55+ Lazers 1188 Dakota St., Winnipeg (204) 254-1010 E206 www.dakotacc.com Dufferin Senior Citizens Inc. 377 Dufferin Avenue, Winnipeg (204) 986-2608 Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre 180 Poplar Ave., Winnipeg (204) 669-0750 www.eekactiv.com Fort Garry Seniors Resource Working Advisory Group 2nd Floor - 280 Smith Street, Winnipeg 204-792-1913 www.aosupportservices.ca/resources/seniorsresource-finders/

Southdale Seniors 254 Lakewood Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4599 www.southdale.ca St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre 3 - 203 Duffield St., Winnipeg (204) 987-8850 www.stjamescentre.com St. Mary’s Rd. Seniors 613 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg (204) 257-0678 www.stmarysroad.ca Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave., Winnipeg (204) 222-9879 www.transconaseniors.ca Transcona Retired Citizens Org. 328 Whittier Ave. West, Winnipeg (204) 777-5576 Vital Seniors 3 St. Vital Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-0555 www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org Winakwa Active Seniors Club 980 Winakwa Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4418 www.winakwacc.ca Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association (204) 291-9028 www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca

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August 2021

Who are we after we retire?

“L

ifestyles 55” is often about retirement identity. Who are we in retirement? Often, we just for most of us and often pictured on become “old” and lose the identity of a productive TV as being a continuous vacation. The person in our society. But actually, we have the oppeople involved in the ads are perfectly healthy, portunity to become who it is we are meant to be good looking, and carefree. Whereas this might in life. We can choose to become who we are: to ourselves, and to those who are now be something to strive for, it may be part of our daily lives. Our identity is an impossible expectation for most our choice in greater part if the lifepeople. It could be like living in an style we choose becomes our choice “all Inclusive” resort: dressing for the and we don’t fall into society’s stepeople you would love to encounter reotypical choice for us. We now get every day, eating well prepared meals, to choose to work with people rather being constantly entertained, all withthan working for people. We now out any responsibility for providing have an opportunity to choose to be any of this luxury living because your with people and to share our values, retirement income would always pay skills and abilities with like-minded the bills. The reality instead is deterpeople. mining what constitutes a meaningful We are coming close to the end of lifestyle for you. Peggy Prendergast the lockdowns we have endured this In reflecting on my past life as a wife, mother and someone with a Exploring Lifestyle last year and a half. It is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on what career, I realize that my life includes: 55 Possibilities has forever changed in our lives. The living, (eating, sleeping and where I negative experiences for all are obvilive to stay healthy), loving (children, friends, widowhood), learning (where does my ous. The “faces in the window,” seen every night on passion lie and how does it fit into my income?), CBC’s the National, will always be a reminder of and is there any lasting reason for my living at all? the worst of what could have been. There are also (my legacy). What am I to expect of the rest of surprising positives: I have survived living alone my life? What choices do I have, and do I have for long stretches and used creative eating experichoices? My husband died very suddenly when I ments to spice up my life and a personal coach to was 50. That certainly was not a choice of mine. provide meaningful exercise; both to keep myself How long will my life last? The life expectancy for healthy. I both learned what my passion in life remany women is now into the nineties and now get- ally is and have learned how to take the stress of having enough money for the rest of my life away. ting closer to that for men. Many years ago, the then Governor General I have been able to give and receive love (using of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson, spoke at Creative “face time”) to a growing infant great granddaughRetirement Manitoba’s twentieth Annual General ter who was hospitalized and isolated because of a Meeting. In her comments about retirement and medical condition for over a year. In living through the different stages of retirewhat the meaning of the words “creative retirement” had for her, she elaborated on life’s devel- ment from age 55 or 65 on into the 90s and 100s opmental stages in the following ways. As infants the elements of a lifestyle still can be described by: and children our parents define who we are, in living, loving, learning and leaving a legacy. What adolescence our peers and the education system we will your plan and following actions include for attend add to that definition. In our young adult- your future now that the pandemic is nearing an hood we often choose partners and our employ- end and the future is ahead of us? Try sketching out ers. They provide a meaningful definition to our a basic daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly plan.

ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTHCARE

Miracle Garden Party The 6th Annual

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Join us for a fun and safe evening in support of mental health.

Healthy living practice

Senaka Samarasinghe

Tickets on sale now! TheVicFoundation.ca

ur last virtual Healthy Living Practice (HLP) was held on April 6, 2021. Due to pandemic restrictions, we were unable conduct virtual weekly sessions for some time. With the lifting of the restrictions, we started weekly HLP on July 6 at Assiniboine Park closer to Duck Pond. As few members need rides arranged rides for them. A notice was sent to all members to be at the above location at 10:30 a.m. At the beginning, the team leader announced the type of practice such as walking, fitness or yoga, scheduled for the day. Based on the capacity of each member, the team leader formed a few groups and appointed a leader for each respective small group. By 11:00 a.m., all groups started HLP and they were instructed to gather at 12:00 noon. From noon to 1:00 p.m. was the fellowship period. A light meal was also provided during this time. Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba (SLAM) conducted its Annual General Meeting June 19, and elected new board members. Vajira Pathirana was August 2021

Victoria General Hospital

FOUNDATION HEALTHIER FUTURES elected as the President of SLAM. As a matter of policy, we always invite President, SALM and his wife for our events. With a short notice Vajira accepted our invitation and participated. Further, he said that he will participate our future events with his wife, Varuni. Senaka Samarasinghe is the President of the Sri Lankan 55+ Seniors Group.

GIVE. INVEST. SAVE LIVES. TheVicFoundation.ca @SupportTheVic

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Thirteen years have flown by…..

y thirteen years of service as the Executive Director of the WSO have flown by. Each of the thirteen seasons held spectacular successes and remarkable challenges. I should note that I started in this position in July of 2008, and things seemed to be going rather well …for a few months until the global financial crisis hit... and yes, we felt that at the WSO, and each subsequent year there would be some wonderful opportunities…..and some horrendous challenges. In the early years, it was not uncommon for us to stare at each other in shock and horror at a weekly staff meeting, and then I would ask what we could do to turn the situation around. Fortunately, I had inherited a magic wand from my daughters which Trudy Schroeder would be passed around Random the meeting table so that Notes staff members could give ideas of what they could do to help move things in the right direction. I think that the sparkles and stars in the plastic wand did mesmerise some people into brilliance. We are fortunate in the orchestra business to have a remarkably effective feedback system for the work that we do. Almost every weekend throughout the season we had the response of the audience to a performance, and that in itself made the huge amounts of work required to pull all the pieces together for each set of performances well worth it. And this last year, it has become just so profoundly clear that the story of an orchestra …….is the story of an orchestra and its community. In Winnipeg, we have a wonderful orchestra…and we also have a wonderful community that supports the orchestra in so many ways. I have had many occasions to be just amazed by the splendour of the orchestra’s playing, adaptability, and artistic inspiration, and just as many occasions to be amazed by the incredible support of our community. I think that I hold as one the metrics of our success the number of times I would attend national and international meetings of orchestra managers, and I would have managers from bigger orchestras in bigger cities ask in amazement, “how on earth are you able to do that in Winnipeg?” • How have we managed to present a week of concerts in a New Music Festival in January, in Winnipeg, for thirty consecutive years? • How have we managed to grow our audiences, double our budget, triple our endowment fund, and have thirteen years of operating surpluses? • How have we started a Sistema Program in Winnipeg that is a partnership of the orchestra and two wonderful school divisions and have that program continue

The WSO has succeeded thanks to a team effort. Photo courtesy of the WSO. to train over 150 students a year for ten full years? • How did we convince almost a thousand Winnipeggers to come with the WSO to New York to cheer us on at Carnegie Hall and attend an after party at the Russian Tea Room? • How did we manage to sell out Pan Am Pool for a concert on the diving boards? • How did we get people to stay up all night listening to drones being played in a hockey arena? • And really, how did we manage to sell out an ice concert performance on the Red River when it was minus 40 degrees? • How did we manage to start with one experimental Valentine’s dinner before a concert thirteen years ago, and develop a dinner and symphony series that has run for 12 years and allows people to meet each other and enjoy a pre-concert experience? • How have we managed to keep the loyal support of the WSO Women’s Committee members who, among many wonderful activities and events, run the music stand shop that has sold me far too many “lucky” scarves? • How have we managed to work for so many decades in such successful artistic collaborations with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Manitoba Opera? • How have we managed to hold so many special events and fundraisers in people’s homes, gardens, cottages, and public spaces? • How have we managed to build such incredibly strong and productive relationships with music teachers at the elementary, junior high, high school, and university level? • How have we managed to build symphony showcases for Manitoba performers like Fred Penner, Al Simmons, Royal Canoe, the Liptonians, Indian City, Steve Bell, Don Amero, Tracy Dahl, James Ehnes, Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Pembina Trails Voices, and so many more? • How have we managed to plan a concert tour to the Netherlands and have all the musicians adopted, the halls

booked, the funding raised, the plan in place? This one to be continued in May 2022. • How have we managed to convince Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries to be our Pops Concerts Sponsor by demonstrating that when asked nicely, WSO audience members could in fact rival a rock concert for alcoholic beverages purchased at the intermission? • How have the audiences of the WSO managed to purchase so many imperial cookies before a concert, that the High Tea Bakery owner had to tell me that it was impossible for her to produce any more cookies for us to sell to our audience members? So we will never really know how many imperial cookies a WSO audience would purchase…..the only answer is as many as we can get. • How have the audiences members of the WSO managed to support the award winning recording projects of the WSO by happily accepting the WSO cd’s as “a free gift” when they made donations of $100 or more to the WSO? • How has the WSO managed to make it through fifteen months of a pandemic, develop an audience for livestreamed concerts, had people purchase live-streamed tickets, and have donors and sponsors continue their charitable giving at even higher levels than in a non-pandemic year? • How has the orchestra managed to adapt to all of the varying restrictions on size and scale of performances? • How is it possible that this remarkable organization is here for almost 75 years? The answer to all of these questions is the same: We have an amazing orchestra, an amazing administration, and an amazing community of support. With that recipe, the WSO has the capacity to tackle any challenges that may come its way as it looks to the future of making great music and serving this wonderful community. Trudy Schroeder provides project planning and management services to the community through Arts and Heritage Solutions.

Welcoming new challenges

hat a curious time these past (series and long form), and a couple of 16 months (nearly a year and French-language animated series for chila half!) have been. I glanced dren. You may have heard of The Porter, a through the first couple of stories I wrote for Lifestyles 55 –about how the media Canadian Co-production and TV series production industry was on an exponen- shooting in Manitoba with Inferno Pictures for CBC. It is the tial growth trajectory and largest black-led produccame to a screeching halt tion ever made in Canawhen the pandemic hit, da according to Winnithreatening the livelihood peg Free Press journalist of many Manitoba artists, Randall King. Set in the performers, artisans, tech1920s the eight-part series nicians and small busifollows the lives of Black nesses, and how the media people working on the production industry was railways in Canada and the preparing COVID-19 US and the formation of safety protocols so that the first Black-led union. we could continue workFilming is taking place in ing…We did adapt, as an Nicole Matiation various locations in Winindustry, and as a society Movie nipeg over the three and to many necessary health Making half month shoot. The restrictions. production office has been You may have noticed active since the beginning that the big trucks that house costumes, props, equipment, offic- of April and will be working through to es and performers are back on the streets. October to wrap up production in the The media production industry is back in fall. business in Manitoba – nine! productions This series has provided well over a are shooting between June and October hundred jobs to talented Manitobans in 2021. This includes three series (one in front of and behind the camera. It has French and two in English) and six fea- also given a jumpstart to a number of initures and another dozen documentaries tiatives to increase the number of media 12

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production work and performance opportunities to Black people those who are Indigenous or from other under-represented communities. Over the past year and a half, driven by the murder of George Floyd, movements such as Black Lives Matter, and a growing understanding that we all have a responsibility to ensure opportunity for people from all backgrounds, cultural and linguistic groups, the media production industry collectively is making significant structural changes. Structural changes that include measures and requirements from public funders and broadcasters to include people from a diversity of ethnocultural backgrounds on crew, in the production office and in the creative team. Audiences (and the programmers and distributors who cater to them) are also contributing to that wave of change by simply expecting to see their own reality of a diverse society reflected back at them from the screen. Audiences, funders, distributors, programmers and broadcasters also have an impact when they take the time to consider who created the story and who is controlling how that story is told. The challenges of the pandemic aside, it is an exciting time to be watch, work and play a part in the arts and cultural

industries in Canada. New ideas and new approaches are stimulating and challenging all disciplines. New stories and a more open and welcoming environment will benefit us all. This is my last article as the Executive Director of On Screen Manitoba. After a decade and half, I am moving on to lead a new endeavour as Executive Director of the Strategic Policy Branch with Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage. In March 2019, following a public consultation process, the Honourable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women published Our Way Forward: Manitoba’s Culture Policy and Action Plan. One of the results has been a reorganization of the department to establish the Strategic Policy Branch. It brings together efforts related to multiculturalism, public libraries, sport, arts and creative industries and it will facilitate communications across government departments and agencies, strengthen relations with the community while developing policy that is responsive to the needs of the sector. I have been privileged to work with many dedicated volunteers and staff at On Screen Manitoba and I am honoured to take on my new role with Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage. August 2021

Flin Flon arts and culture returning to life

ust as most of Manitoba began to Tube! She is a beautiful young woman get COVID-19 under control (in with a lovely voice but that amount Flin Flon Health Area there were of attention is unexpected to say the least. no new infections at the The Uptown Emporium June 13 reporting pestorefront for northern arriod for the first time in tisans to bring their prodnine months) the temucts to the wider commuperature shot skyward. nity has made significant All our dreams about inroads in online sales as warm, beautiful days well. They have honed with dear friends went their ordering service and up in smoke, literally, packaging of goods so that as temperatures soared they can send ‘Georgie’s into the mid-thirty-deBirds’ or ‘Flittermouse’ gree range and dried out miniature paintings anythe boreal forest (and I Elly Spencer where, even Europe. The suspect, the prairie) and store has hired a part-time lightning strikes started The arts from coordinator and students fires. Can’t we catch up here to provide in-person sales even one break? right in their tiny but surWe had many extraordinary successes really building our prisingly pretty space and they have online presence throughout the worst a wizard woman tending the online of the pandemic. We saw online con- business. If you need zucchini ginger certs take shape and fly under the ever- marmalade from Mafeking, Man. (and more professional guidance of Trevor trust us, you do!) go to uptownempoGordon Sytnyk and his small crew of rium54.com in your browser and see assistants. The most surprising online everything that is available. Life does go around again in our litevent however was an older video shot with a phone camera three years ago at tle northern paradise though, mostly a Johnny’s Social Club show featuring in planning for a stunning revival of local teacher Emily Sparling singing arts and cultural real life in the fall. Kris Kristofferson’s ‘Help Me Make The Blueberry Jam Music Gathering It Through the Night’. It has now is planning to present a three-day fesreceived over 100,000 views on You- tival just before the Labour Day long

The Northern Visual Arts Centre (NorVA) will return with art exhibits in September. weekend in September. With luck it will be cooler and there will be fewer bugs then. It will be smaller than the last festival, held in 2019, which saw over 7,000 audience members come to support both local talent and musicians from further afield. We may have only two stages as opposed to three and negotiations are ongoing with the local Rotary Club to provide food ser-

vices and a beer garden. It will still be free for everyone involved and there is a terrific new playground onsite for the kiddies within hearing of the Festival Stage. The Flin Flon Arts Council has not announced a ‘season’ for 2021-22 but plans are afoot for a Canada’s Culture Days celebration at the end of September. Crystal Kolt, Flin Flon’s Cultural Coordinator, has already begun advertising for ideas to celebrate getting together once more. The Northern Visual Arts Centre (NorVA) will have an art exhibition in the Gallery for the month of September as well. Moreover, planning is the ongoing work towards the establishment of the North Central Canada Centre for Arts and Environment. It is hoped that the pandemic has established the need for such a centre in this part of the country. Canada’s arts and cultural communities have been decimated during this period indicating the substantial need for face-to-face contact around art and beauty to make the world go round, metaphorically and emotionally and of course, the financial/economic support our arts and cultural sector workers require. Flin Flon is uniquely placed to answer this call to action. But more about that in the next issue. Until then, try to stay cool (both ways!)

The Argyles even toured Asia!

n the mid 1980s, the hottest of the downtown music clubs was The Rorie Street Marble Club located at 65 Rorie Street at Bannatyne Avenue. And the entertainment that drew the crowds was Winnipeg vocal group The Argyles. The quartet’s brand of superb vocal harmony, clever song selection, and onstage fun was infectious. Formed in 1983 when two friends, Jeff Skinner and Greg Nordman, who met performing at Rainbow Stage, set about to create a vocal group along the lines of Manhattan Transfer or Toronto’s Nylons. Bob Axworthy, who was running T-Bones restaurant and lounge, offered the John Einarson two a gig if they could Local Music come up with a retroSpotlight style musical act. With Ken Stewart and Gisèle Fredette onboard and retro clothing styles in vogue, the four took on the name Argyles. “We were all fans of vocal groups such as The Manhattan Transfer, The 4 Lads, The Hi-Lo’s, and Brian Wilson’s arrangements with The Beach Boys,” notes Ken Stewart. “We were also fans of vocal groups from the Motown era and the retro movement of the mid ‘70s,” adds Greg Nordman. “The Argyles started out as a multi-vocalist group with eclectic tastes that included jazz, pop and gos- The Argyles are (left to right): Ken Stewart, Jeff Skinner, Greg Nordman, Gisèle pel-influenced tunes from multiple Fredette. Photo credit: Keith Freeman. decades, sometimes as an a cappella act often with just piano accompani- ghetti Factory. The group appeared worth to ask me to join The Argyles ment or with a full band when the on telethons and corporate events as to replace Gisèle,” remembers Anbudget allowed. The Argyles were a well as performing on CKND televi- gela. “I had been working with Tom show band that was as much fun to sion’s Jimmy King Presents and CKY Dahl as the house duo at the Marble television’s Live at the Warehouse. Club lounge where The Argyles often watch as they were to listen to.” Gisèle Fredette left the group in played on the cabaret side.” The group auditioned for local The group was then invited to play band leader Ron Paley who, enthusi- 1985 to pursue a singing career in astically impressed, hired them to ap- Toronto. Her replacement, Brandon- a six-week gig at Vancouver’s Expo pear with his big band. They also be- born Angela Kelman, was discovered 86 opening for acts like Tower of gan a semi-regular gig at the Marble right next door in the Marble Club Power, The Neville Brothers and Tom Club over the next four years along lounge. “I remember the night the Cochrane at The 86th Street Cabaret. with a weekly Sunday night spot at boys came to my old brownstone Following Expo 86, Jeff Skinner left Brandy’s, the lounge at The Old Spa- apartment at McMillan and Went- the group for an acting career (ultiAugust 2021

mately becoming a respected acting coach in Winnipeg) and Winnipegger Brenda Raynbird joined in his place. While in Vancouver, the group was spotted by an Asian talent agency who offered the quartet a five-week tour appearing at clubs in Hong Kong, Macau and The Philippines. Backing them on the tour was Darryl Havers on keyboards with Ken Stewart playing guitar. They were wellreceived at every stop. “We played a few nights at Subic Bay US Naval Base where audiences were mostly American and much rowdier than the clubs,” recalls Ken. “We also played as a Top 40 cover band called Mirror Image at the largest club in Hong Kong named Hollywood East.” Ken recalls a memorable interview on Hong Kong radio where the group performed the Everly Brothers’ classic “All I Have To Do Is Dream” a cappella live. In 1987 Ken was next to leave, returning to television production at CKY Winnipeg. The remaining members decided to carry on as Mirror Image. Relocating to Toronto, the group performed throughout southern Ontario. Angela dropped out to study at the Vocal Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California and was replaced by Maddie Willis. But by 1991, the group had folded. While Brenda Raynbird and Maddie Willis remained in Toronto, Greg Nordman returned to Winnipeg where he worked in the service industry. Following her studies in Hollywood, Angela Kelman moved to Vancouver where she was spotted singing at the Big Bamboo club and was invited to form a new country music trio, Farmer’s Daughter. During the 1990s, Farmer’s Daughter became one of the most successful recording artists in Canadian country music with gold and platinum albums. But she credits her time with The Argyles as pivotal. “Little did I know when I joined that my time with The Argyles would become the harmony foundation for the rest of my career,” she acknowledges. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Exercise is medicine – the importance of physical activity after the pandemic

ecreasing COVID-19 case counts, meeting vaccination targets, and loosening health restrictions have been a great cause for hope and celebration in our province. Meanwhile, as we look forward to what life might look like post-pandemic, there remain many challenges ahead when it comes to our community health. Public health orders over the last year and a half, while necessary to mitigate the impact of the virus, have left behind another pandemic of sorts: one of physical inactivity. Many said goodbye to regular activities such as going to the gym, playing Sue Boreskien recreational sports, and, in some cases, daily activities Healthy such as walking or cycling Living to the office. We have long known physical inactivity increases risk factors in cardiac disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. In addition to sedentary behaviour, other important lifestyle changes due to staying at home include increased intake of processed foods. Studies have shown disrupted weight management among many, bringing with it other risk factors such as diabetes, which are likely to persist long after public health orders are relaxed. In addition to the fragility of physical health, the pandemic has elevated our collective awareness around mental well-being. Several studies show evidence of the decline in mental health among Canadians during the pandemic, due in large part to lack of social connection. Now for the good news. As always, physical activity is a powerful tool that can help us rebuild our individual and community well-being. For every study published on the negative effects of the pandemic on our commu-

A certified fitness professional can be very beneficial. Photo by Direct Media. nity health, there is another study that provides evidence that physical activity can be an antidote. In contrast to the common thinking a few decades ago, physical activity is now proven to decrease risk factors and is instrumental to recovery from cardiac disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions. Support and expertise from credentialed fitness professionals can go a long way to impact well-being in a variety of individuals. Support and expertise found at a certified medical fitness centre like the Reh-Fit integrates guided physical activity, lifestyle coaching, assessments, nutrition, and – importantly – a sense of community connection that we

have all been missing over the past year and a half. Finally, a crucial component of having success with physical activity is finding a program or activity that provides enjoyment and that will last. A certified fitness professional can help with that, too. If you or someone you love is looking for support with starting or returning to physical activity, consider reaching out to a trained Clinical Exercise Physiologist or contact the Reh-Fit Centre for more information on programs and services at 204-488-8023 or online at www.reh-fit.com. Sue Boreskie is CEO at the Reh-Fit Centre

Natural solutions for tendonitis and inflammation

s we age, feeling some effects of arthritis and in- constant adjustment of biochemical and physiological flammation is common. Joint pain and tendon- pathways. To learn more about homeostasis, see last itis may be part of getting older, but there are month’s article. When facing pain or recovering from an effective solutions. injury we often seek a quick fix, but resolvA couple of years ago I started to noing inflammation can be a complex, slow tice some increased stiffness in my wrists, process. The first solution many people try hands, and fingers. I have had the occais anti-inflammatory drugs, but the probsional symptoms of minor arthritis, but lem with acetaminophen and conventional I’ve found that exercise and anti-inflamNSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory matory supplements have usually been drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen) is that successful in managing them. Even with they can also suppress immune defenses, my healthy diet and lifestyle, I woke one resulting in adverse side effects that inmorning and found my left thumb was clude hearing loss, tinnitus, and liver dammaking a clicking noise when I bent it. As age. the day progressed, the problem seemed A whole host of health conditions are to go away, but gradually the symptoms associated with an unregulated inflamworsened. After some time, it got to the Nathan Zassman matory response, where the anti-inflampoint that I couldn’t bend my thumb withmatory chemicals produced by the body out discomfort, and when I did it resulted Natural Health continue to be produced after the initial in a very painful snap. I increased my norinflammation has been resolved. Serious mal dosage of supplements (curcumin and boswellia, two of the most powerful anti-inflammatory health problems including arthritis, cardiovascular disherbs) and doubled my daily fish oil supplements, but I ease, and a number of gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions as well as cancers are all linked to chronic indidn’t see much improvement. I did some initial research and started doing some ex- flammation. This has inspired researchers to find a methercises, but nothing was making a difference. I visited a od of resolving the inflammatory response by mediating local sports clinic and met with a physician experienced further inflammation. Lipid mediators are the anti-inflammatory comin this area who X-rayed my hand. The X-rays showed minor arthritis, and that I had developed trigger thumb pounds in fish oil that include lipoxins, resolvins, pro- a type of tendonitis that afflicts the tendon that con- tectins, and maresins. Collectively known as specialized trols the thumb. The doctor recommended six weeks of pro-resolving mediators, SPMs show great promise and physiotherapy, and if that wasn’t successful, the remain- are gaining traction as potential therapeutic agents to ing options would be a cortisone shot (which can often help resolve the source of inflammation, as opposed to correct the problem, but only temporarily) or even sur- conventional anti-inflammatory agents that inhibit inflammatory pathways to block pain. gery. SPMs signal the immune system to stop responding to I made an appointment with the recommended physiotherapist who used a variety of treatments including pro-inflammatory signals, helping the body achieve holaser, TENS and putting my hand in a hot wax bath. meostasis, and inhibit further inflammation. Also called I was also provided with a series of daily exercises to resolution agonists, SPMs work to turn off the inflamperform. After three visits, I knew that this particular matory response, helping to prevent bone loss and treat approach was not helping, as the symptoms were con- inflammation-related muscle injuries like tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. tinuing to worsen. EPA and DHA are the well-known omega-3 essential Inflammation: NSAIDs vs SPMs Inflammation is a natural, protective, and desirable re- fatty acids derived from fish oils that are required for sponse to illness and injury, but once the immune system many beneficial biological activities, but it’s the SPMs has done its job to reduce the initial inflammation, ide- in fish oil that have the most powerful anti-inflammatoally the body will again attain homeostasis. This process ry effects. Recent research found that by concentrating is the body striving to maintain a healthy state through SPMs, producing a more effective anti-inflammatory re14

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sponse was possible, without the side effects of drugs. SPMs are produced in the body, but aging, diet, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, stress, and over-consumption of omega-6 fats can limit SPM production. Increasing the intake of fish oil alone will not raise SPM levels sufficiently to lower inflammation, especially as we age. After researching SPMs further and as my trigger thumb was not improving, I started taking SPM Active. This powerful formula from Metagenics concentrates the equivalent amount of SPMs found in 5 gallons of fish oil into just two capsules. After three weeks, my trigger thumb disappeared. The problem was always most noticeable in the morning, and I now wake up with no stiffness in my hands. As I had already scheduled a follow-up appointment with the doctor, I was happy to meet with him and show him my healthy hands with no pain or clicking. He was pleased with the progress and I was thrilled that I wouldn’t need a cortisone shot or surgery. Exercise After my symptoms improved, I learned from Dr. Terry Zachary, a former golf professional, about an innovative hand exercise product he developed called Handmaster Plus. There are nine muscles that open the hand, and nine muscles that close it. Trigger thumb, trigger finger, and elbow tendonitis can be aggravated by an imbalance in these muscles. It’s natural to focus on the muscles that close the hand, but it’s not as intuitive to work on strengthening the muscles that open it. When the muscles that close the hand become dominant, repetitive stress and strain injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow are common. Dr. Zachary’s Handmaster Plus was designed to work all 18 muscles to help rehabilitate and prevent hand injuries. It also helps ease arthritis symptoms, boost circulation, and improve grip strength (which often weakens with age). The Handmaster Plus helps develop strong, well-balanced hand muscles that can be especially beneficial for musicians, athletes, and others that require hand strength and dexterity. This unique exercise combined with proper nutrition including SPMs provided me with relief from trigger thumb, and I’m happy to report that two years later, I have had no recurrence. Commitment to a natural approach can help manage inflammation and ease the symptoms of tendonitis and arthritis without the side effects of drugs. Nathan Zassman is the owner and president of Aviva Natural Health Solutions. August 2021

The memory master takes us on a time machine to back then

a plumber bending over? emember when … How about the taste of strawberry What are some of your favourite memories of sum- jam on a big slab of homemade bread mer? What was your favourite sum- with butter? Raspberry jam, being in a mer song? We all have one or two. jam or toe jam. And on a hot summer Percy Faith’s Theme from a Summer day the feel of grass beneath your feet Place and Stranger on the Shore by as you ran through the sprinkler. Parents liked it too because Mr. Acker Bilk were a it saved on water, which, couple of mine. back then, you only expeAhh … those lazy, rienced on “bath night”. hazy, crazy days of And after playing all day, summer. Remember the sweet taste of water them? right out of the garden How many hours hose. It tasted almost as did you spend kneelgood as in a tin cup when ing on the grass lookit came from the pump. ing for a four-leaf cloIt was tough to beat ver? Did you find one? a bologna sandwich Or laying on your back washed down with wajust looking at the Jim Ingebrigtsen tered down Freshie at a clouds? Did you ever family picnic. Oh, and twirl a buttercup unIs It Just Me... the familiar happy melder someone’s chin to ody of the Tastee Freeze see if they liked butter? Did you ever fall out of a tree and truck making its way up the block. have the wind knocked out of you? Remember when it was a big deal to There’s a memory. How about the get a Dixie Cup with the little woodbite of iodine or mercurochrome on a en spoon? Was it just me or did milk taste a lot better when you drank it scraped knee? Remember the old guy who used right out of the bottle or later … the to slowly roll down the back lanes on carton. Kickin’ back with a Kik Cola, Royal a horse drawn wagon calling out for “bottles, rags, beer bottles”? Remem- Crown cola, a Wynola, a cherry Sun ber when a crack was something you Crest or a Snow White cream soda or didn’t step on because it might break a Mr. Pibb. Remember when Mounyour mother’s back … or it was used tain Dew was new or the first big diet as describing, in part, the rear view of cola, Tab? Ginger beer on a hot sum-

Kicking back with a Kik Cola. mer day? Knock on Ginger and spin the bottle? Remember when the best cigar in town was made of licorice with the red candy sprinkles on the tip. Remember the Flying Doctor, Sky King, Toody and Muldoon in Car 54, Death Valley Days, John Beresford Tipton the third and the Millionaire, and Tennessee Ernie Ford, bless his pea-pickin’ heart. Remember the smell of laundry fresh of the clothes line? That was when every backyard

had a clothes line. Remember when you realized you were almost as tall as your old man and soon after he cut you down to size when you got too big for your britches? Day is done. Maybe sit a spell on the front stoop and watch all the kids head in and the stars come out. Catch you next time. If you have memories you’d like to share. Let me know. Email me at info@pegasuspublications.net

Movie star Donnelly Rhodes is a hometown boy Starting in this edition of Lifestyles 55, the Manitoba Historical Society will share some Memorable Manitobans from their extensive archives.

manager with John Hirsch’s Theatre 77, a forerunner to the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. His first professional stage appearance was in the company’s March 1958 in the production of Death of orn Donnelly a Salesman. He was also Rhodes Henry stage manager of Rainin Winnipeg on bow Stage in the sum4 December 1937, son mers of 1959 and 1960. of journalist Ann DonAt Hirsch’s urging, he nelly Henry and brother auditioned for the newly of actor Tim Henry and created National Theatre Loa Henry, he initially School of Canada and trained to be a warden was the only Manitoban in the National Park Memorable accepted in its inaugural Service in Manitoba. year. Donnelly Rhodes then Manitobans It was there he met his joined the Royal Canafirst wife, Martha Buhs, dian Air Force as an airwho adopted the stage man mechanic. In 1956, he joined the RCAF Station Winnipeg name Henry, which was the legal surDrama Group. Not long afterward he name of her then husband, Donnelly Rhodes. Martha Henry became a very decided to pursue a career in theatre. The following year, he became stage well-known actor. Her second husband

was Douglas Rain, another Canadian, who was the voice of Hal in 2001: A Space Odyssey. After appearances on the Stratford stage and in a number of CBC television dramas, Rhodes signed a contract with Universal Studios. His film debut was Gunfight in Abilene (March 1967) along with Bobby Darin and another Canadian, Leslie Nielsen. That was followed by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. His greatest success was as a character actor on television. His numerous recurring roles included: The Young and the Restless (CBS, 1974 to 1975). He left the show deciding it was not good to devote too much of his career to one role. He continued to work steadily, taking on roles on both television and in movies. He also made guest appearances on more than 100 television shows. Donnelly Rhodes was a regular on

Battlestar Galactica (NBC Universal, 2004-2009) and Soap (ABC, 19781981. He starred in Sidestreet (CBC, 1975-1978)), as Dr. Grant Roberts on the popular family series Danger Bay (CBC, 1985-1990), the X Files (1993) and DaVinci’s Inquest (CBC, 19982005). He received a Gemini Award for best actor for his role in Da Vinci’s Inquest (2002) and received the Earle Grey Award for lifetime achievement (2006). His diverse interests included music and horses but, his real passion was boats. He often said if he never made it as an actor, he would have pursued a career as a naval architect. He was married four times. He died of cancer at Maple Ridge, British Columbia on 8 January 2018, survived by his wife, brother, sister, two children, and three stepchildren. To see hundreds of Memorable Manitoban’s or to become a member of the MHS, please visit mhs.mb.ca

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What a difference a year (or 2) makes Kasey Hacking

hen the pandemic began in March 2020 my first reaction was to pull in my horns, halve my ad budget and look at all my costs in detail with a mind to surviving a non-existent market. Turns out my prediction was as accurate as my stock market picks and horse race bets. After a 2 week “staycation” things started happening. With people shutting in there was little inventory. In 3 weeks people in apartments and living with parents started going stir crazy and wanted a place of their own. With no inventory there were instant and exaggerated bidding wars. First a few, and by July they were more common, by November it wasn’t cooling down like normal and bidding wars were the norm. We have our stats for each year but I don’t think you see the true story unless you go from June to June - when things really got cooking and the stats are impressive. Disclaimer: we only looked at residential detached homes. Some of the averages and medians get skewed by greater sales in certain areas but big picture, here it is. Your average home that sold for $329k in 2019 is now selling for $371k in 2021 or your value went up $40,000 or 12.3 per cent in a year.

The highs and lows of the averages are diverse from 1094 sq ft averaging $241k to 1824 sq ft averaging $537k. There were 31.2 per cent more physi-

cal sales in this period up from ~6700 to ~8800 and that’s not counting attached dwelling or condos What does it all mean? Well, a say-

ing goes there are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics. In real estate, market value is the price someone pays for something on the day they buy it. I tell my clients a lot can change in a day, a week, or a year. My basic advice is to be ready to ride out any property you buy for at least 5 years. As the US proved in 2008, real estate markets can be volatile, but I do give some credit to CMHC for implementing some hurdles in this low interest environment. Is now a great time to sell? Definitely. Are there values to be had on the buy side? Harder to find. When you buy and sell in the same market and area it makes little difference. The split will be similar upsizing and downsizing. In conclusion call our Hacking Team of realtors or your trusted realtor (and that can be us) for the latest info. We pride ourselves on being market informed and will provide you with a ceiling bid on any house you are considering purchasing. After all, I don’t want to have to sell a house you paid too much for. We also have all of the detailed local statistics for your area and can provide you with a better idea of your market with no obligation. Below is the map and table for your area Kasey Hacking is the daughter of George Hacking who is an award winning realtor at Century 21 Advanced Realty on The Hacking Home Team.

Ten Neat Things about Corn! Dorothy Dobbie

1. Corn is grass. Zea mays, the Latin name for maize, which is the farming name for corn, is a cereal grain, and like most cereal grains, is from the Poaceae (formerly Gramineae) family. Confused? Don’t dwell on it. Suffice it to say: corn is grass. 2. Multiple varieties. In general, you don’t want your corn to cross-pollinate because it can result in tough produce that isn’t very tasty. But if you’re careful to plant varieties that flower at different times, you can enjoy a few different kinds. 3. Corn flowers? Corn silk is the female flower of the plant. The male flower is the tassel up top. Each thread of silk, when pollinated, grows into a kernel. 4. Corn needs no bees. Bees and other pollinating insects are crucial to agriculture, but not where corn is concerned. Its pollen is spread by wind, and is self-fertile. 5. Save your energy. Don’t bother removing side shoots from your plants. Turns out, all the time and energy that goes into removing the side shoots, or suckers, doesn’t improve anything. You may also be rewarded with a second ear on some plants, though it will be smaller and develop later. 6. Smut. The white and black fungal gall known as smut that turns up on corn sometimes is not poisonous; in fact, it is a delicacy in Mexico, where it is cultivated and fetches a higher price than the crop itself. An attempt to raise interest in the product in the US called it “Mexican truffle”. For the squeamish, you can break off the infected part and eat the rest of the corn. The gall contains spores, so be careful when removing it and dispose of it away from the garden or your garden compost. 16

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For many fresh corn is the highlight of summer! 7. Feed the corn that feeds you. Just like the grass on your lawn, corn appreciates nitrogen. Side-dress your plants with it when they are eight to 12 inches tall. There was a Native American tradition of burying a fish head with corn seeds, which had the advantage of supplementing the soil with nitrogen. 8. Ready whether you are or not. One website states: “The period of peak freshness for sweet corn is measured in minutes, not hours or days.” You can estimate that your corn will be ready to harvest about 20 days after the silk appears. Around that time, keep an eye on it; pull back the husk and check the kernels each day. They should be smooth and fat and the juice should be milky when you punc-

ture a kernel with your fingernail. If you harvest too early, the juice will be watery. If you harvest too late, the kernels will be tough and doughy. If you can’t eat it the same day, refrigerate it immediately and eat within a couple of days. 9. Native traditions. Corn accounted for up to 65 per cent of the Iroquoian diet and involved the entire community: men cleared an area and the women would plant mounds with the “three sisters”, corn, beans and squash. The Mohawk used it for food—making corn flour for an unleavened bread and cooking the kernels into hominy—as well as other purposes. The dried stalks were used to make fishing poles, the husks were sometimes made into dolls with corn

silk hair, and the leaves could be made into mats or moccasins. 10. Rascally raccoons. These varmints like their corn just a little less creamy than humans do, so if you grow in an area with raccoons, they’ll probably harvest before you do. Possible deterrents include: leaving a radio playing all night near the crop; surrounding the plants with an electrified fence; and having a big dog guard your corn. If you really want to eat what you’ve grown yourself, you should probably grow about three times as much as you hope to harvest. ••• 10 Neat Things is a free weekly Enewsletter of interesting and quirky facts about your garden and nature. Sign up today - visit localgardener.net. August 2021

Crossword

Across 1. Vesicle 5. “I’ve ___ Be Me” 10. Varieties 14. Entertainer Falana 15. Computer printer brand 16. New Zealand island territory 17. Nutritive 19. “Freak on a Leash” band 20. Tender ones should be left alone, according to Billy Joel 21. Intellects 22. Recently 26. ____’s Razor (philosophical law of simplicity) 30. Like one who’s rolling in it 34. Hogwash! 35. Slangy arrogance 36. Fade away 37. Is of use to 39. Less harsh 42. Double DI 43. Italian apple 47. Early Eagles coach Earle, nicknamed “Greasy” 48. Tumbling, perhaps 51. Logical connectors 52. Market protests 54. Tiny carnivore 57. Travel guide item 62. Wharf 63. Maryland area 66. Pencil puzzle 67. Brings under control

PUZZLES 68. Prophetic sign 69. Frosted 70. Predecessor of bridge 71. “That’s disgusting!” Down 1. Dollar, slangily 2. Online justification (abbr.) 3. Like some pickings 4. Domesticated 5. Loo label 6. Declines to participate 7. Luggage-screening org. 8. High crag 9. Whichever 10. More black 11. Simba, for one 12. Certain Middle Easterner 13. D.C. pols 18. Glossy finish 21. Kingston Trio hit 23. Cause of chills 24. Ford model 25. Lover of Aphrodite 26. Clinton rival, once 27. Municipal 28. French filmmaker Rene ___ 29. 1040 calculation (abbr.) 31. Luggage clip-on 32. Sky, in San Juan 33. “___ Johnny!” 38. Fix Fido 40. “Hold on, please...” 41. Pro, in dialect

Word search

Absconds Abuses Allowing Anted Blond Carol Cheerful Claim Cools Cribs Cupful Dawned August 2021

Decay Drabs Feign Fixes Flopped Gargle Glean Gooses Impelled Imply Items Kicks

44. Nonprescription: Abbr. 45. “Ay, dios ___!” 46. Twelve-half-step intervals 49. Paid heed 50. Reaction to applause 53. Clandestine meeting 54. Acreage fig. 55. Old Red Scare grp.

56. Completely demolish 58. Nautical call 59. Lansbury role on Broadway 60. “Just hold on ____!” 61. Phnom ____ (Cambodian capital) 63. “Sesame Workshop,” once 64. “Dream on!” 65. Virgin rival

Sudoku

Lower Mosque Narrates Poorly Ridge Ritual Rural Snacked Spire Staid Stamped Taxiing

Tease Tempts Trickier Twice Undue Vodka Volition Wedge Whens

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Feathered inspirations T

here is probably no creature on earth that has inspired humans more than birds. As far back as history can show, birds have always been a fascination of all cultures around the world. Birds have inspired us so much that they have given us the gifts of flight, music, dance, art, and even fashion. Many of us take for granted what birds truly mean to life on earth; they are our pollinators, insect controllers, garbage collectors, and even indicators of environmental issues. The Sherrie Versluis declining populations of Feathered songbirds has become a Friends very hot topic in recent years so here are some reasons to appreciate and celebrate the world of birds. Music One of the most famous classical musicians, Beethoven, was a genuine nature lover. Much of his music was inspired by the sounds of nature such as Symphony No 6, The Pastoral, a true nature masterpiece. It has often been described as taking a walk through the woods as the music interprets the calmness of walking through the forest and all the magical sounds you hear as it moves along into the chaos of a storm. As the symphony continues, Beethoven includes the song of the nightingale which was played by a flute, a cuckoo bird played by clarinets, and a quail represented by the oboe. This piece was completed in 1808, and by this time, Beethoven had complained how his hearing had begun to fail him to the point it affected him clearly hearing the calls of birds that were his dearest inspiration. Other well-known, bird-inspired musical pieces include The Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams written in 1914. A violin was happily depicts the scattered flutters and dips of flight as well as the song of a skylark. In 1928, Respighi released his famous piece simply called The Birds (Gli uccelli). This work gives us a moving melody of a dove played by an oboe which also represents a cuckoo and a harpsichord for a hen. Finnish composer Rautavaara with Cantus Arcticus (1972) used recorded birdsongs from a trip he took to the Arctic Circle. There were calls of larks and swans accompanied by an orchestra. Flight Flying is something every child dreams of doing. I can tell you when I was young, my brothers and I attempted this on many occasions jumping off the roof of the garage with everything from garbage bags tied to our arms to cardboard…and the list goes on. I can still hear the thump as we hit the ground faster than any plane can fly! Birds fly so effortlessly it looks easy but it certainly isn’t, as we quickly learned. Birds have such streamlined bodies that air just flows over them with such smoothness and ease. Engineers have studied birds in flight and still do to perfect the art of flying. Birds have been the models for everything in plane designs. Smooth feathers made for the glossy surface of planes to prevent air resistance, the shape and movement of bird wings was mimicked to deal with air pressure during lift off and landings as well as fuel consumption. Future plane designs are expected to include the ability

For winter weary Manitobans, the arrival of robins in the spring is truly inspirational.

Hummingbirds are a delight to watch their aerial acrobatics in the garden.

The plumage of the peacock is quite a sight.

to move the wings as needed to make it easier to steer, be more aerodynamic, and to just make flying easier and more efficient. Dance To witness the amazing mating rituals and dances of birds is nothing short of spectacular. There are the elegant touches between cranes as they flare their feathers and tenderly move around each other with the male offering the female the first twig or piece of grass to build their nest. The remarkable water dance of grebes is a dance so fine and filled with outstanding perfection by a duo that it almost seems impossible. These perfected moves of two are often seen in figure skating, dancing, and swimming. The mating rituals of the Birds of Paradise found only in Papua, New Guinea, are some of the most intense and glorious courting dances ever witnessed. Many cultures have created their own ethnic dances and attire from the birds of their regions. Whether

it’s an African tribal dance or an Indigenous powwow, the moves, the showy outfits, and the colours are inspired by birds. Inspiration There is no question that birds inspire us all every day. Waking up to the cheerful call of a robin in spring, or the wonderful song of a wren in summer, to the friendly voice of a chickadee in winter are all sounds that inspire our spirit. The honking of flocks of geese as they arrive in their ‘V’ formations in spring is a sign of renewal and hope for the season after a long, cold winter. To be near a lake and hear that soulful call of a loon is magical yet mysterious as it echoes in the distance. Birds are truly an inspiration and a necessity to our lives in so many ways. They are sacred creatures that should be honoured and protected always for the well-being of our planet and ourselves and, to inspire forever. Sherrie Versluis owns the Preferred Perch and is an avid birder.

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