Lifestyles 55 2022 May by PegasusPublicationsInc

May 2022

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Looking out for seniors in new portfolio

Hon. Scott Johnston

Winnipeg, it’s time to raise the bar! We can do better.

Hon.Scott Johnson is the inaugural Minister of Seniors and Longterm Care. The Final Report of The Provincial Implementation Plan for the Stevenson Review details the implemented and planned changes that will address the review’s 17 recommendations. The review’s recommendations were grouped into four main themes: resident safety; staffing complements; pandemic preparedness; and communication with families and staff. u 7 ‘Looking out for seniors’

Winnipeg cover band <<REWiND<< releases first original tune in tribute to lost bandmate Linda Ruppel

s the inaugural Minister of Seniors and Longterm Care, I am honoured to be selected to lead the department recently created by Premier Heather Stefanson dedicated to advocating for seniors’ issues and strengthening the province’s longterm care system. I was proud to reaffirm our government’s commitment to building a healthier, stronger and more prosperous Manitoba with the Premier at the Legislative Building on April 6 and again as a part of Budget 2022 — committing nearly $20 million to develop a new senior’s strategy. Manitoba seniors want, expect and deserve a government that acts with integrity and compassion and responds effectively to their needs. As part of our government’s pledge to realign our health-care system to meet the current and future needs of Manitobans, our recent announcement committed an initial investment of $15 million toward the full implementation of all 17 recommendations in the Stevenson Review. Our government commissioned this independent external report, led by Dr. Lynn Stevenson, to review the Oct. 20, 2020 to Jan. 12, 2021 COVID-19 outbreak at Maples Long Term Care Home and then provide recommendations for preventing future tragedies.

Wayne Weedon on “Adult” books

RMTC celebrates its “Honour role”

Saving abused kids at Toba Centre

pril 10, 2022, marked two years since the popular local band REWiND lost their co-founder and beloved band brother, Gord Kudlak, to complications due to diabetes. It will also mark a significant milestone in the eleven-year history of the ten-piece band – the release of a new, original song: When You Lose Somebody You Love. WritLarry Ruppel and Gord Kudlak, Cofounders of REWiND - the Show Band. ten by band leader Larry Ruppel

only weeks after Kudlak’s death, it is a tribute not only to his close friend Gord but to everyone the band has lost, especially over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. “There are very few people out there who have not lost a loved one during this difficult two years, whether from COVID-19 or other causes,” says Ruppel, “and most of us who did were unable to formally celebrate the lives of those loved ones until months u 8 ‘Rewind’

Mowed down shrubs and broken branches in a private yard show the lack of care and attitude of complacency that has overtaken city workers.

Councillor Kevin Klein

iven the dangerous state of our streets which are riddled with potholes this spring, there is no question that we must do a better job, not just on pothole repairs but on a host of issues affecting our city. While it is easy to deflect blame on the weather, wet spring and lack of roads budget, much of the problem stems from a workplace culture of resignation (giving up) on addressing the most basic of issues. Over successive terms, we, the City Council, the administration, and to some extent the public have become willing to accept low standards, poor quality, and snail pace slowness as the norm. But it is time for a reset, to raise the bar, to return to being a healthy and vibrant city. u 6 ‘We can do better!’

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May 2022

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

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 Sharon Bain, Hon. Bill Blaikie, Dorothy Dobbie, Hon. Myrna Driedger, John Einarson, Michael Gibbens, Stefano Grande, Hon. Scott Johnson, James Ham, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Kevin Klein, Ian Leatt, Gary Moir, Marty Morantz, Fred Morris, Manitoba Seniors Coalition, Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, Connie Newman, Peggy Pendergast, Brent Poole, Sanja Rossi, Linda Ruppel, Michelle Saunders, Trudy Schroeder, Elly Spencer, 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.

Will sanity ever return to the land of the once strong and free?

or the past five years, the Canada we know has been in a state of suspension, where everything we hold dear as a nation has been under threat, including our image of ourselves as a tolerant and open people. Suddenly, we were told that we are misogynistic, racist, and genocidal, and that we owe a great debt of reparation to the world. The grounds for these claims are weak, but many bought into the narrative, which added to the sense of hopelessness that was felt due to COVID-19 restrictions over the past two years. How much damage has this done to the national psyche of our citizens? How has this eroded the strength of our democracy? Of course, Canada, like every other nation, has made many mistakes in their management of the affairs of Canadians and more in how we have dealt with the First Nations. Often these mistakes were made through a sense of paternalistic arrogance under the illusion that superior beings Dorothy were mandated to look after the best interests of other individuals or populations, as if one set of people knew better than another about how to manage personal affairs. These mistaken ideas continue, and this was never so evident than in the way we have managed the pandemic. It started with advisories about this and that and ended up with uniformed goons enforcing “laws” that were personally intrusive, restrictive, futile, and in some cases, outright stupid. Weapons of shame and outright bullying were used against those who did not want to conform, felt competent to take care of their own health, and/or simply did not buy into the media mantra of imminent danger. So, in addition to attacking our psyche with accusations of evil, Canadian were now being attacked more personally with things such as fines for the number of guests they might have in their homes or of they didn’t succumb to a nostril test to see what might be up their noses. People need to look after their own affairs, or they soon forget how. Dependency and loss of agency is arguably the worst ill that can be inflicted by one against another. We are part of a collective – we are social animals and as a group we shore each other up with each contributing according to their capacity. That gives each of us strength and dignity. We need the street sweepers as dearly as we need the doctors and scientists because together, we make a powerful entity. But each must contribute in some way and when we try to tip the scales in favour of one or another, we must weaken one to support the other and in so doing, we destroy both. Counterintuitively, perhaps, the one we weaken most and destroy first is the one we attempt to artificially support without asking for their contribution in return. We cannot succeed as a nation or as a people without understanding this. Neither you nor I have all the answers and neither of us can dictate what is best for another. We may have ideas. We may counsel or recommend, but we cannot insist or enforce the way another lives. I have two examples: the first is that of a New Brunswick First Nations chief who told me that he could trace the destruction of his family to a $2 cheque his father received in the early 1950s. Until then they had been eking out a meagre but satisfying life on the proceeds of his work as a fisherman. They accepted the first cheque as a welcome gift “from the Queen”, in the spirit of what they understood the Royal Proclamation of 1763 to mean, and they used it purchase a sweet treat: a case of Carnation canned milk! But the cheques kept coming and they kept getting bigger and soon his dad thought, “What the heck!

Why risk my life on the cold, wet ocean, when I can stay home snug and warm and still get paid.” He stopped fishing. Then he began drinking – out of boredom, my storyteller thought. And life went downhill from there. My second example has to do with gratitude for being allowed to contribute for pay. Back in the day when I was still an MP, there was a grave concern over the loss of our elm trees. Senator Mira Spivak explained to me how the Dutch elm beetle loved deadwood and how the riverbanks were full of fallen elms that had never been cleared, giving the beetles a highway to the rich forest of boulevard trees that made Winnipeg a City Beautiful. But the Coalition to Save the Elms as Trees Winnipeg was named in those days had no way of doing this and the city wasn’t willing to put the money toward the initiative. We came up with a scheme, which at the time was deadly against the tenets of the NDP because it was labelled “workfare”, to hire homeless and Dobbie unemployed people to do the job for us. Where to get the money? Well, as in the case of the purchase of the CP station for the Aboriginal community of the day, I turned to my friend Jean Charest, a young minister in the Mulroney government. He was able to secure the funds – I forget how much – through an EIC program and we set an army of folk to work. It was a great success as a program, and I still cherish a letter I received from one of the workers who said that the job gave him back his dignity along with the courage to seek other work. See, people need to work, to contribute, in order to be whole. We need to be valued for what we can give, no matter how small that may seem to others. We need to be respected for the things we can do, not the things others think we should do. And each of us needs to be valued for that effort because no matter how insignificant it may seem to you; it is vitally important to the whole. That is a critical part of our democratic structure. The strong will be strong, the weak will be weak, and each of us will find our niche without artificial engineering. Some will be captains of industry, some will be crooks, some will be soldiers, some will be philanthropists, and some will be labourers or artists or arborists. It doesn’t matter as long as we have a “something” to be. Some will also be community leaders, politicians if you will. It is often not something sought but rather something thrust upon the capable and the willing. There is a natural order here that needs to be respected. Over the past number of years, however, just as in the artificial and divisive labeling of ethnic communities as being “under privileged” (whatever that means) the respect due to the work of the elected people has been stripped away and vested in the hands of a few who have proclaimed themselves arbiters of all that is good and “right”. What that does is disenfranchise all of you who voted, not just for the opposing parties, but also for the members of the ruling party, because if their contribution is undervalued, so is yours. Did you know that in the current Government caucus, your MP is not allowed to ask questions of the ministers even behind the closed and private doors of a caucus meeting? The questions, if there are any, must be vetted and rescripted first. And worse, the answers are also vetted and scripted. MPs do not know by whom. This is a horrifying abuse of democracy, but it goes with the attitude that a very few have the self-proclaimed right to decide what is “acceptable” thought. And it makes us all dependent on the “wisdom” of a few backroom people in Ottawa. And that makes us weak and vulnerable. And it will destroy us.

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May 2022

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Toba centre is helping abused children recover in Assiniboine Park

The address of this mysterious buildssiniboine Park is truly a jewel in our city, and I am so proud to ing is 700 Assiniboine Park Drive. Not have represented it both during a lot is known by the public about the my time as City Councillor and now as building’s history. It was built in the 1960s and was the Convent of the Saa Member of Parliament. For over a century it has provided a cred Heart School for only a few years place of recreation for families, for quiet before declining enrolment in the mid1970s forced closure; it contemplation, for respite was run as a convent and from one’s daily chores full grade school for girls and for learning about naby the sisters of the Sature. In more recent years cred Heart, who had for the Zoo has undergone decades been in a smaller extensive improvements school in what is now including the Journey to Westgate School in ArmChurchill polar bear exhibstrong's Point. it, and Aunt Sally’s farm. The building also served The Park is now developas a staff training centre ing the new world class difor the City of Winnipeg. versity garden which when It is in this beautiful setcompleted will showcase ting that the Toba Centre the flora of the prairies inMarty Morantz for Children and Youth, cluding a special represenManitoba’s only child adtation of indigenous garvocacy centre, is seeking dens. The incredible duck pond has been improved and expanded to expand its mandate beyond its core function of interviewing victims of child as well as so many other things. The Park has served to enhance qual- abuse and child witnesses to violence. ity of life of all Manitobans. We should The Toba Centre will expand to this all be very proud of the important con- under-utilized city-owned facility in Astributions it has made and continues to siniboine Park. They have just embarked on their “We make in our daily lives. But now the Park will serve us again Will” campaign that will fund the renovations required to develop the space for in a new and vitally important way. From the time I was very young, go- the very specific needs of a high- funcing on family drives through the park I tioning, multi-disciplinary child advoremembered seeing a brown brick build- cacy centre in a calm and serene setting. ing on the very west end of the park. It Construction is already underway for never seemed to quite fit in and nobody this $15 million facility that will help seemed to know what it was for. It’s in victims of child abuse recover for dea secluded serene area where there are cades to come. no other park exhibits, surrounded by The Province under Premier Heather nothing but prairie grasses and forest. Stefanson has committed two million

The Toba centre

he centre is a game changer in the way abused children are now handled. Currently, each case goes through a half dozen steps and agencies before protective action is taken. This can take months and subsequent to all of this, there is no follow up. At Toba Centre, all the necessary processing and investigation can take place right on site in a child and family friendly atmosphere. Christy also believes that follow up is just as vital to the ultimate health of the child. That this is a community endeavour, paid for with money mainly raised privately, is just as important. People like to say that “it takes a village to raise a child”. The caring people of Winnipeg are demonstrating that they pay more than lip service to this concept. Relying on govern-

ments to do this kind of work may seem to be the easy way, but governments by their very nature are bureaucratic and intuitionally focused so that the child “client” becomes a mere commodity. It is not that there are uncaring people working in these jobs, it is that the system promotes process over result. The Toba Centre will bypass that and allow a flexible, caring service to be rendered to kids and their families that will make us a better city for the future. Congratulations to Christ Dzikowicz, the author of this plan. Without her energy and determination, Toba Place could not have happened. And congratulations to Premier Heather Stefanson and Minister Rochelle Squires for having the foresight and wisdom to support Christy.

dollars to this project and additional money is being raised in the community. As the member of Parliament in which this facility is located I will continue to do all I can to advocate for its success. For anyone interested in more information about this important endeavour please feel free to contact my office. All Manitobans should be proud of this innovative and necessary project that will help heal so many children who have suffered abuse in our society. The force behind this vital project is Christy Dzikowicz, Executive Director of the Toba Centre for Children and

Youth. I recently had the opportunity to tour this incredible project with Christy which is scheduled open early in 2023. Christy says, “We need to expand our definition of justice. It is of course important that we identify, arrest, and convict child abusers, but as a society we must also look at the needs of victims of child abuse and their families. And not just the immediate needs of victims and their families, but also their long-term needs. There can be no justice without healing.” No truer words were ever spoken. Marty Morantz is MP for CharleswoodSt. James-Assiniboia-Headingley.

ground complaints, cottager disputes, cottage fees, controversy over new hydro service in Nopiming, assessing the damage caused by flooding at Spruce Sands, and negotiating an end to a threatened blockade of the Whiteshell one long weekend were less fun. Creating new provincial parks and protected areas and doing so in a way that respected the rights of First Nations to be properly consulted as requited by Section 35 of the Charter was also a gratifying part of the job. I am happy to be able to say that I was responsible for bringing six new parks to completion, including Upper Fort Garry, Manitoba’s first urban provincial park. Working with the Tim Horton’s Foundation to bring their summer camp to fruition on Sylvia Lake was also a rewarding task. Wildlife management was another huge and challenging task. Beavers, wolves, polar bears, bats, dogs, deer, urban geese, and moose come quickly to mind. Visiting the polar bear jail in Churchill was a highlight. As for deer, there were a few towns that were arguably overrun with them. Half the town thought the deer were a delight. The other half wanted us to cull the herd. Regulating moose hunting and conserving threatened moose populations was a Rubik’s Cube of conflicting concerns and principles. Of particular importance was finding policies that worked, and which respected recognized Indigenous and Metis hunting rights This is not an exhaustive account of all the issues. Global warming was a huge concern that was top of mind all the time. Meeting Kyoto Accord commitments, eliminating coal fired power, exploring methane capture at landfills, encouraging active transportation were some of the attendant issues. In respect

of climate change, Manitoba is gifted with both a real advantage and important responsibilities. We have our own hydro generated electricity, which we need to capitalize on as the world converts to electric transportation. We are also stewards of vast carbon sinks in the form of peatlands and boreal forest. We need to better protect the carbon stored in peat from being seen as a candidate for the usual uncritical resource extraction. As for the boreal forest, we were very conscious of its importance, successfully resisting those who wanted to build Bi-pole 3 down the east side of Lake Winnipeg, and further highlighting the need to protect and value it by working with the relevant First Nations to establish the now recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pimachiwin Aki. Finally, one of my personal goals was to set in motion a process that would lead to a ban on the use of certain environmentally harmful pesticides for cosmetic purposes, a process that eventually did lead to such a ban in 2015. As I said earlier, the Official Opposition only got upset when we did something. Recently, in government, their idea of doing something was to end the ban, and once again permit these chemicals to unnecessarily permeate our environment, the first province to repeal such a ban. As long time Manitoba environmentalist Anne Lindsay said a few weeks ago in the Winnipeg Free Press, for six years Manitobans could breathe the air, and their kids and dogs could roll in the grass, without fear of exposure to risky cosmetic pesticides. Not anymore. Hon. Bill Blaikie was Environmental Minister in the NDP Government of Premier Greg Selinger.

Fifty shades of green

rom October 2009 to October a list of all the issues that came across 2011, I was the Minister of Con- my desk. It was around the time that servation in Manitoba, in the the erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey was getting a lot of attencabinet of Premier Greg tion, I decided that if I Selinger. I had initially ever wrote about my time hoped to serve in the cabias Minister of Conservanet of Premier Gary Doer tion, I would title it Fifty after winning a legislative Shades of Green. To my seat in a by-election in the surprise, I sat down one spring of 2009, but before day and without recourse long he was appointed to anything but memory, Canadian Ambassador to it was easy to write down Washington, and we had a fifty issues that had denew Premier in the person manded my attention in of Greg Salinger. one way or another. When Gary Doer asked There were issues like me to run, he joked that as Hon. Bill Blaikie Winnipeg sewage treatan opposition MP for alReminiscences and the debate over most 30 years I was used of a political life ment the necessity of nitrogen to throwing political greremoval, rural sewage nades, and he invited me to catch a few by joining him in gov- ejectors, manure spreading, sewage laernment. I accepted the invitation. Ulti- goons, and the hog moratorium. There mately, to the extent that there were any were recycling issues, commercial comissues worthy of the grenade metaphor, posting issues, and single-use issues like they came from stakeholders, advocates, bottled water and plastic bags. In the and environmental organizations, and fall, managing stubble burning was an not the political opposition in the leg- issue. In the summer forest fires were an issue, and the purchase of new water islature. I had spent three years in the House of bombers had to be undertaken. SumCommons as NDP Environment Critic. mer also brought conflict over mosquiIt wasn’t hard for me to imagine what to fogging, and concerns about whether I might grill myself about in Question we were doing enough to save WinniPeriod. But there was never anything peg’s tree canopy from Dutch Elm and to worry about. I had spent my time other diseases. Provincial parks demanded constant as NDP Environment Critic criticizing governments for what they weren’t do- attention. Upgrades like new washing to protect the environment. In the rooms and showers, lagoons, yurts, and Manitoba Legislature, generally the of- new infrastructure like the bridge over ficial opposition only got upset when the Whiteshell River near Nutimik were happy tasks. As were the opportunities you tried to do something. Having said that there were few par- to rebuild better after storms damaged tisan political challenges, it was never- Winnipeg Beach and Grand Beach, as theless the case that were many other well as a major overhaul of the beachchallenges. Several years ago, I made front road at West Hawk Lake. Camp4

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

May 2022

Premier working at a hectic pace to get us back on the pre-COVID track Dorothy Dobbie

ounding refreshed but still a bit exhausted, Premier Heather Stefanson made time when she woke in Brandon, after an announcement filled day, for our monthly interview. After five events the previous day, she napped on the journey west that evening, grabbed a quick bite to eat when she arrived, and fell into bed to be ready for the next round of events. One of these was to attend a breakfast put on by the “Let Women Lead” group of women elected to municipal government. One of the premier’s challenges will be to examine the way the Municipal Act allows male counterparts to “disempower” female mayors by passing bylaws that limit their ability to lead. That is just one of the issues the premier faces every day. Her schedule is exhausting but she is determined to meet as many Manitobans in person as she can to learn firsthand about their concerns, developing as she does so, a deep and personal understanding of our needs, wishes and aspirations. She knows she cannot rely on the heritage media to carry her message – or yours, for that matter, so this old-fashioned but grueling way of being in touch with people is her answer. It has been a very busy month, starting with a plethora of support for social services throughout the province. On April 1, the province announced a Social Impact Bond agreement with pharmacists to help people stop smoking. The agreement will see a cost sharing arrangement between the province and Shoppers Drug Mart (who will invest $2 million in matching funds with the province). On April 4, $500,000 was announced for 10 residential school healing centres in the province. On April 5, the province announced a two-year extension to support single parent employment opportunities. On April 7, there was an investment of $7 million in education to help students with special needs . . . And that was just the first week. Heather followed this up with an in-

Face to face, day by day, the province is getting to know and appreciate their new premier. vestment of $1.4 million on technology upgrades in schools, plus the beginning of major renovations to Ecole St. Malo. There have been about a dozen such announcements at schools across the province since the leadership change. On April 11, the welcome news came that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business had recognized Manitoba with an “A” rating, the highest of any province in Canada, for reducing red tape! And she has just begun to dismantle the barriers facing business in Manitoba. The next day was budget day featuring an unprecedented $7.2 billion investment in repairing the health system, reducing wait times for surgeries and diagnostics, creating a new dedicated program to address mental health, adding $11 million to beef up nursing enrollment, setting aside $812 million for northern and rural health care, and adding $32 million for seniors’ care, to name just a few of the measures. Critical among these was the upgrade and expansion to the St. Boniface Hospital Emergency room which the Premier announced the day before her journey to Brandon. This past month, Heather has also met with the Prime Minister, promising as she did so, a more collaborative approach

with him to address Manitoba concerns. She has previously also created a detente with the Winnipeg mayor. The last week of the month was as busy as the first. Highlights included a new $50 million Venture Capital Fund that has been requested for years, support for the Toba Centre initiative at Assiniboine Park to bring services for abused children under one roof, a digital technology upgrade for the police, added support for the resettlement of newcomers, new funding for family violence shelters and an exceptional investment in a Healthy Northern Food program. There was $29 million to support disability services and financial help to expand services by elders and knowledge keepers in schools for indigenous people, a major commitment to rebuild Manitoba highways, a look back at the nine social impact programs that are currently in place to see how they can be made better, and an announcement by the Lt. Governor and the Premier about a Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee medal to be awarded to 1,000 deserving Manitobans this summer. . . This does not cover it all. The Premier has accelerated long-needed plans and is working behind the scenes to address dozens of other issues to kick start the econ-

omy and get Manitoba working again as COVID-19 wanes. Her communications manager, Sean Kavanaugh, marveled, “We have packed a year’s worth of work into six months. We have not just gone through a leadership change; we have had a complete change in government.” These are significant adjustments because they enable the work to move quickly and smoothly through the system. Ministers are being urged to take important decisions in a way that did not happen previously. Most are now veterans but even the new ones are meeting the challenge with an invigorated spirit of energy and optimism. This is ratcheting up activity and making our Manitoba feel like the enterprising, can-do province it used to be. “It has been an exacting but exciting time,” Heather says, adding, “Getting through a budget put everything into focus.” Fortunately, the Premier has a high-level view and knows her priorities: health and economic growth. She knows getting there takes patience and planning. “We have met some major milestones, but we are getting into a routine and making improvements,” she says. “We are looking at ways to make Manitoba more competitive. As part of this, we are setting up an economic advisory team to see the best way to create tax competitiveness.” These activities include looking at red tape in the mining sector (“We have such huge potential in the North: copper, gold, silica, rare earth minerals,” she says) and ensuring that interdepartmental paralysis is addressed. Her choice of Don Leitch as the senior civil servant is a critical part of the success here. So far, her people judgment skills have proven impeccable. This is my fifth interview with Premier Heather Stefanson. Each time, I speak with her, my respect grows. As Kevin Twomey, long time owner of T & T Seeds, said to me, “I am getting to appreciate the Premier! She is a real person. She is direct and she says what she believes . . . I think she is doing a great job!” She is.

“Let them howl!”: The Nellie McClung Foundation

he Nellie McClung Foundation is one close to my heart. In 2002, I was an opposition MLA representing Charleswood. One of my legislative roles was the critic for the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Every day that I walked on the Leg grounds to get to work, I noticed the monuments dedicated to the men in our history, and almost none dedicated to the women. Why was that? Manitoba has a strong and proud history of women leaders. Just think! We were the first province in all of Canada to enfranchise most women with the other provinces following our lead. That happened right Hon. Myrna Driedger here and there were no monuments dedicated to Broadway celebrating this hard won Journal right. I knew I had to do something to ensure that our historic accomplishments and champions were recognized. I put forward a private member’s bill to create a foundation that would erect a monument for Nellie McClung on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature. The idea behind this was to educate the public about Nellie and her peers, about the amazing examples we have in our history of people pushing the dial forward on women’s rights. I also wanted girls and women to come to the legislature and see this visual example of women who came before them. After all, girls cannot be what they cannot see. We must highlight the acMay 2022

“Never retract, never explain, never apologize; get things done and let them howl.” – Nellie McClung complishments of people like Nellie McClung and all those who have fought for social justice in our history. The monument that my private members’ bill brought forward stands on the west grounds of the Manitoba Legislature and was unveiled in 2010. In true Nellie style, it depicts the famous five working together around a table debating and discussing. The original purpose of the Nellie McClung Foundation was to install a monument on the grounds of the legislature. Since then, its purpose has grown and evolved. The Nellie McClung Foundation now focuses on celebrating Nellie’s legacy by inspiring and educating Manitobans to carry on the fight toward equality. The Nellie McClung Foundation website (OurNellie.com) offers resources for educators or anyone simply wanting to learn more about the impressive history in our great province. In curating the content of the Our Nellie website, Manitoba teachers were consulted which means that the information posted is historically accurate and thoroughly researched. Among the educational resources is a reader’s play about Nellie’s famous mock parliament that took place right in Winnipeg’s downtown at the Walker Theater, now the Burton Cummings Theatre. Let Them Howl is writ-

ten by local play write Sharon Bajer and was first put on in 2015. This resource is offered to schools free of charge to encourage young people to learn about this fun and exciting piece of our history when humour and theatre were used to push forward a major social movement. Also on the Our Nellie website are lesson plans for grades 4, 6, 9, and 11. There is extensive information on the suffrage movement, the Famous Five, the Political Equality League, and the many women’s firsts that happened right here in Manitoba. I encourage anyone interested to check it out at ournellie.com. The Nellie McClung Foundation offers an annual Trailblazer Scholarship award. These scholarships are available to young women in high school or post-secondary who are in the STEM fields, business, fine arts, or trades. The most recent initiative of the Nellie McClung Foundation is the Trailblazers Awards. These awards saluted the contributions that Manitoba woman have made to social justice, arts, sports, politics, community activities and promoting democracy while developing this great province. The Trailblazer Awards honoured Nellie McClung’s vision by recognizing the spirit of her life’s work being advanced by women leaders of today or throughout Manitoba’s history. Over 350 Manitoba women from both our past and our present were nominated and 150 were chosen to receive this special award. While the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the awardees were unable to celebrate in person, the Nellie McClung Foundation created a special book that is available on our website. I encourage everyone to have a look at it to see just how amazing the women all around us are! Hon. Myrna Driedger is MLA for Roblin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Springtime home safety tips James Ham

them. A ladder can be used to gain entry to secondstory windows. • Use a chain or a cable to lock your patio furniture. ith the cool, wet weather (hopefully) be• Ensure your fence and gate are in good repair hind us, thoughts for many homeowners - check for holes and damage that may need repair. turn to getting their yards in shape for anKeep your gate locked at all times and other season in the sun. ensure the lock works properly. A lock We deserve it! or latch that self closes and can be padThis year, as you prep those flower locked when you are away is recombeds, freshen up the patio furniture and mended. Install privacy slats in chain clean up that grill, we also ask that you link fences. make crime prevention part of your • Plant spiky plants along the perimproperty plan. A few small steps can go eter of your yard and under windows a long way in reducing the risk of being to deter intruders. victimized: Set a routine • Trim trees and bushes that could So now we’ve taken proactive steps conceal burglars, especially around to protect our property; we need to rewindows and doors. member to make crime prevention part • Keep your yard maintained to give of our routine. Winnipeg Police the house a lived-in appearance. When shutting things down for the Services Crime • Have interior and exterior lightevening: Prevention Column ing that gives the impression you are • Double-check your garage. Ensure at home. Arrange to have your lawn the door is closed and locked. cut and your snow(GULP!) shovelled • Ensure your vehicle is secure. Are the windows when you go away. closed and doors locked? Are there any valuables • Do not leave valuables out in the yard like tools, within sight to tempt would-be thieves? bicycles and ladders. If you don’t have a garage or a • Confirm your windows are closed, and doors are shed, lock them up to something that can’t be moved. locked. Are there any valuables within sight from the If you keep ladders out, be sure to chain or padlock exterior?

Make those connections We would be remiss if we didn’t remind you of one of the most important tips we have to share: Get to know your neighbours. It seems simple enough, but it seems more and more like we take less and less time to connect with the people living beside and around us. Your concerns are often their concerns, and when you work together, you are better equipped to spot and report irregularities in your neighbourhood. Be aware of strangers and look out for each other and get involved in crime prevention programs if you are able. A great icebreaker might be sharing this article from the Lifestyles 55 website or downloading a copy of our Home Audit Checksheet and sharing it with your neighbours. And should you become the victim of a property crime, please know we are here to help. Reports of crimes that have already occurred and where the suspect has left can be reported by calling the police non-emergency number 204-986-6222. Property crimes can also be reported through our website Winnipeg.ca/police. As always, should you see a crime in progress, you can call 9-1-1. Here’s hoping for a safe and sunny summer! James Ham is the Communications Coordinator for the Winnipeg Police Service

Winnipeg, it’s time to raise the bar! We can do better. Continued from page 1

It’s not acceptable to allow sewage to It’s not acceptable for residents to be spill into our rivers – year living in bus shelters or for after year. transit riders to feel unsafe It is not acceptable that taking the bus (with over we have not only allowed 1,700 safety incidents rethese situations to become ported to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service in “normal”, but we have adthe past year). opted them as part of an It’s not acceptable to unspoken culture: “It’s too have a lack of ambulances bad… but it’s Winnipeg (28 hours with no available and these things happen.” ambulances in January) Winnipeg is better than and increasing response this. We are better than times – year after year. this. Councillor It’s not acceptable to Between March 8 and Kevin Klein have the highest violent April 12, one month, three crime rate in Canada, the Inside City Hall children between 12 and 16 years were sexually ashighest assault rates, the saulted (and in one case highest homicide rates – kidnapped) while waiting at bus stops year after year.

in broad daylight. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! On March 2, almost a week prior to the March 8 assault, I tried to force an Urgent Special Meeting of Councillors and delegates to openly discuss and take immediate actions on Transit Safety. There had been several other Transit assaults and a death which occurred in January and February. My multiple requests by formal letter and as an in-person committee delegate were ignored. The complacent and resigning culture of City Hall once again failed residents – especially, the three children who may have been better protected had emergency action been taken to respond to the trend of earlier assaults. The current atmosphere at City Hall fosters complacency and an acceptance

of “norms” which are unhealthy for Winnipeg and its citizens. We need to raise the bar, set a culture of achieving much higher standards, improve quality expectations and timeliness, act with urgency rather than resignation, and eliminate the old complacent and substandard mindset. Potholes are only a symptom of a much more deeply rooted sickness in overall culture. There is more to our city and our population than this culture of resignation. We can do better. If you don’t like potholes, remember to get involved at City Hall and play your part. You might even consider running for office and being part of the desperately needed culture change. Kevin Klein is the city councillor for Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood.

The do’s and dont’s of hiring the right contractor

hat long-awaited project will long have they been in business? Get happen eventually! It could be more than one quote, typically three. Check their website out, look for something as simple improving the functionality of your home, or to reviews online, trust your friend’s admake it more visually appealing. Be- vice. Do you feel personally comfortable with personality of ware, as with any renothe contractor? When vation there are several explaining your project pitfalls. does the contractor share The first step is to hire your vision, do they the right contractor. agree with your ideas? How do you go about Do they listen? If you this? Who do you know? don’t click, it’s best not Are you friends of a to move forward. Recontractor? Have your member it is your investfriends had work carried ment and you want what out and whole heartedly is right for you and your recommend a contracfamily. tor? It is important to Are you a micro-manfeel comfortable allowBrent Poole ager? Do you want to ing a stranger or strangHome get a designer involved? ers into your home. DiliImprovements What are you looking gence as with anything is for to make this the best the key. Come up with a experience you can have? list of questions for your contractor, take meticulous notes. Ask After all, renovations do not always run if they are licensed, bonded, insured? smoothly. You must always be prepared How many projects similar to your for the “what if ”? Communication is of project have they undertaken? How the utmost importance, I cannot over6

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emphasize this point enough, you must make sure you have the best connection with who is coming into your home. The job can sometimes take several months. Plan, plan, then review the plan. One thing people often forget is where they will store the furniture and knick-knacks during the renovations. This though, really does depend on the depth of the project. If it is a large project ask your contractor if he would give you a copy of the ‘Gannt Chart,’ this way you will be able to understand the comings and goings of all subcontractors and what will be completed on any given day. Understanding the process helps ease any fears you may have and keeps the project timely. Home renovating can be extremely stressful if you don’t have the right crew on your side. Having the right company working with you can ease you through such eventualities. They can make the remodelling process that much less painful by steering you through any troubled waters that may arise.

Make sure you have all the necessary building permits and that everything is carried out to code. If not, you may have to correct it at a later date. Failing to do this can be very costly. Getting all permits is highly recommended. The best advice regarding handymen, unlicensed contractors and others: Don’t do it! Structural changes to your home can be deceivingly complicated. If you do go it alone, be prepared for anything. Licensed contractors, interior designers, and architects understand the building process, the intricacies of walls and ceilings and have a far better grasp on what may lie within a wall you are tempted to pull down. Is it worth going with someone unqualified? I think not. No, given the pitfalls, the best advice I can give is to hire qualified, licensed contractors. 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!” May 2022

Reasonable accommodation It is not the job of bureaucracies to obstruct citizens’ rights

ging in place means having the to the grocery store early in the mornhealth and social supports and ing to avoid crowds. Arranging to services you need to live safely have things delivered if needed and and independently in your home or escorting each other but not attendyour community for as long as possi- ing doctor’s appointments together. In ble. I have shared the story of my par- 2021 my mother was diagnosed with ents, who live in the house they built swelling in her eye and had to drive to Winnipeg from Branover 50 years ago. They don every few months have been active and ento have an eye injection. gaged in their communiDad, her devoted carety and have thrived with giver, diligently escorted an extended network of her to her appointments friends. Their plan is to through winter storms stay in their home as long or whatever weather the as possible. Manitoba winter created. They have been inunMom was also diagnosed dated with this talking with non-Hodgkin's lympoint and media coverphoma and had to attend age, indicating this aging a few appointments at in place is a good retireNancy Cooke Cancercare. ment plan. There is comMy parents took all of munity support through On the this in stride as part of local small businesses and Hustings what needed to be done seniors' associations who can be hired to assist with any chores to keep themselves healthy and remain that may become difficult as they independent. They proved to themage. They were prepared for that and selves and everyone else that they were planned their retirement savings to be capable and adaptable. They even conable to hire assistance if needed. The tinued to visit their camper as the only home care system in healthcare is also escape from the house during the panmeant to be a short-term safety net if demic. They manage pretty well and required to support people in the com- successfully stay in their home, not munity rather than requiring institu- bothering anyone or creating a burden tional care. Thankfully, they have not on any health or social systems. That all changed when they returned yet needed to hire or utilize any outside assistance. My brother and I are nearby home from the trailer one weekend to discover that the City of Brandon had to help in any other way required. During the pandemic, they had to dug up their front boulevard directly deal with many changes. They quickly in front of the house. This created an adapted to following the new rules: instant barrier to access for my parents Getting themselves organized to go to get into their own home. Mom uses

a walker and is hesitant on the uneven ground due to her instability and fear of falling. These are real fears for an 80-year-old. Despite all their careful planning and diligent rule – following this new hole and a pile of dirt was an obstacle they had not planned for. A call to the city of Brandon administrative offices revealed that the city had decided to put in a fire hydrant where there had not been one before. My parents asked if there was any other option for its location. The hole is directly in front of their house, and the sidewalk to the front door is also blocked. The house has minimal frontage, which is placed between the neighbours' driveways on each side. There was nowhere else to park for direct access to their home. In the summer, Mom might be able to maneuver her walker safely to the front door. In the winter, this was now a significant risk to her safety. A call to the city did not result in any changes to the planned location. The Brandon Sun sent a reporter out and did a story asking the city for comment. The comment was that there was no other option, and the hydrant would be placed directly in front of their path to the front door. The city planning department informed my parents that they could park there as long as they accepted that they would be towed if there was ever a fire. This agreement appeared to be in place and honoured by the city for the last two years. One morning on the way to an appointment, my parents came out to see a parking ticket on their vehicle. They were shaken as

they were under the impression that this would not happen. A call to the city to discuss the ticket resulted in the same employee in property and planning informing my parents that they do not recall telling them they could park there and that they better pay the ticket immediately or the fine would increase significantly. To say this was upsetting was an understatement. The city planners informed my parents that they knew best. Despite the apparent availability of extensive boulevards on the street, there was no other location this hydrant could possibly go. Now, my parents have additional anxiety about accessing the front door of their home safely and without fear of penalty. Had they been duped by the city? Was this how the town treated diligent taxpayers who never missed a payment over 50 years? Was there no opportunity for consultation with the people who lived on the street and would be impacted daily by this construction? Ultimately the city planners and engineers who made this arbitrary decision may have been correct. There may not be any other location for this hydrant. Is there not an obligation to provide reasonable accommodation to the homeowners who would like to access the home they have invested in, in the community they love? Does aging in place look like without conversations and collaboration with the citizens who reside in the communities we build? You can reach Nancy Cooke to comment on this article at nancycooke11@gmailcom.

Housing-heavy federal budget a ‘house of cards’ for seniors Michelle Saunders, CanAge

he 2022 federal budget’s heavy focus on housing is only addressing the tip of the iceberg of challenges facing seniors, according to CanAge: Canada’s National Seniors’ Advocacy Organization. Although Minister Freeland announced several key tax credits for accessibility and home renovations to allow people to age in place, it is not clear if her announcements of affordable housing for vulnerable populations includes seniors. An exploratory expert panel was announced to study home care and aging in place, but no new funds were allocated. The budget did nothing to improve overall vaccine ordering, coverage or uptake, key issues in the

fight against communicable diseases like COVID-19 and others. The budget fails to address the many underlying issues undercutting the rights of older people across the country. Astonishingly, long-term care is nowhere in sight. Also missing is help for seniors on a fixed income who are seeing prices skyrocket. With a soaring consumer price index and inflation heading upwards, seniors are increasingly worried about outliving their savings which simply won’t stretch far enough. Seniors' affordability issues were totally left out of the budget. Pension protections were also missing, leaving little comfort for those who are worried they will lose their hardearned corporate pensions in case of company bankruptcy. There is nothing in this budget to stop corporate

bankruptcy from creating another Sears tragedy. While this government finally committed to consumer protections for those in conflict with banks by making the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments the sole independent arbiter of consumer financial disputes, this federal budget offers few solutions to allow seniors to weather the storm. Investing in housing is critical, but only if built on a foundation of safety and security. Canadian seniors deserve a fully realized national seniors’ strategy, including: • Elder abuse and neglect response in par with domestic violence funding • Protected pensions for when companies go bust • Free and easy access to the best possible vaccines • Easy access to primary care and seniors’ care that meets their needs

(and national standards) • Best-in-class dementia care fueled by a fully implemented national dementia strategy • Living free from age-based prejudice Until the government invests in addressing the full spectrum of challenges faced by real older people every day, even the best-laid plans risk collapsing like a house of cards. CanAge is a seniors advocacy group based in Toronto. ••• To the above, I would add that there needs to be a complete overhaul of the Old Age Security system and the Canada Pension Plan which affords most lifelong earners with a below poverty income. As well, strategies for helping seniors age in place could include home owner property tax relief and better at-home care. – Ed.

Looking out for seniors in new portfolio Continued from page 1

The Stevenson Report is our government’s blueprint for the future of long-term care in Manitoba, as we work toward an integrated system of care where residents, and their families, can have confidence that their needs are appropriately addressed. The $15 million investment will allow service delivery organizations to implement targeted initiatives that improve the safety and quality of care received by personal care home residents. The priority initiatives include: enhancing infection prevention and control measures; expanding information and communication technology; increasing the number of allied health and housekeeping May 2022

staff; and improving emergency continuity and situational awareness. Our government is committed to continued progress and sustained action as we better integrate personal care homes within the broader health-care system. The Stevenson Implementation Oversight Steering Team, comprised of health system leaders, was established to oversee, support and ensure the full implementation of the final report and the recommendations of its 13 working groups. Our government commends the hard work and dedication of seniors and recognizes their pivotal

role in our province’s strength and prosperity. We are committed to building a stronger foundation for improved seniors care in Manitoba. This commitment led to the formation of the Department of Seniors and Long-term Care in January 2022, with a focused mandate to implement all of the recommendations in the Stevenson Review. I am proud to be the first minister for this department, and I look forward to representing Manitoba’s seniors and advocating for seniors’ issues. Hon. Scott Johnston is the MLA for Assiniboia and the Minister of Seniors and Long-term Care. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Give me hummus, tzatziki, and feta you get a supreme Greek burger

ts that time of year again. I know, way too much snow this year, but hey, its time to clean and fire up the barbecue. Yup, you guessed it, it’s Burger Time. There is an over abundance of flavour in every single bite of these delicious burgers. If you want the best, then this is truly a showstopper, from the juicy fresh meat, toasted buns, red onions, tomatoes, and feta. It is loaded with spicy deliciousness. I Have recently returned from the East coast where you learn to appreciate not only a good plate of fish n chips, but you get to experience the Ian Leatt now very famous Donair. Foodies Although, I have to admit the fish was great, the Donair was a little on the sweet side for my taste. I much prefer the tartness of hummus and tzatziki. With all these ingredients packed into every bite, you can just imagine the torrent of flavours you’ll get when you bite into one of these supreme Greek Burgers. These surprisingly tangy burgers are mind-boggling and deliver a true knock out wallop with every mouthful. Flavour galore! I promise: once you have had one

you will want them on your own menu time and time again. Here is what you will need: 250 grams ground beef, pork equally ¼ cup finely chopped red onion ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 4 cloves garlic crushed ½ cup crumbled feta cheese Salt & pepper (to taste) 2 tablespoons Greek seasoning 1 medium egg 2 cups baby spinach ¼ cup tzatziki sauce ¼ cup hummus Sliced tomatoes Sliced red onions 4 kaiser buns lightly toasted The all important how to: In a large bowl add the meat, red onion, egg, parsley, garlic, feta cheese, salt, pepper and Greek seasoning. Blend together thoroughly. Mold into four patties, place a tablespoon of feta cheese in the center of the patty, then fold in and re mold. You should end up with 4 stuffed patties. Fire up the grill and over a medium-high heat cook for four minutes on each side or until cooked through. Slice the buns in half then butter both sides. Place on the grill and toast until golden brown. Remove them

from the heat. Spread hummus generously on the bottom side. On the top side, spread tzatziki generously and ad some baby spinach. Place a cooked patty on each bun, then red onions and tomatoes. Finally sprinkle some fresh crumbed feta with the top of the bun finally being placed. Share with your friends and enjoy with other accoutrements making a great lunch or evening supper. Ian Leatt is general manager of Pegasus Publications and a trained chef.

Ms. Lilian, broadcasting pioneer 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of radio broadcasting in Manitoba. Over the course of the year, Lifestyles 55 will be publishing a series of articles featuring a few of the highlights of local radio history.

he was a woman ahead of her time. A trailblazer. A broadcasting pioneer who achieved success at a time when women were excluded from most professions. Winnipegger Lilian Shaw was one of the first female voices heard on Canadian radio. She could also lay claim to being the first woman announcer on a public radio station in Canada. A career in broadcasting was not something Ms. Shaw aspired to. In Gary fact, when she was hired by CKY radio in November 1923, there was a grand total of three jobs available in local radio. When CKY, owned and operated by the provincial government through the Manitoba Telephone System, first signed on earlier that year, the only paid worker was general manager Darby Coats. Although the station was on the air only a short time each day Coats couldn’t begin to keep up with everything demanded. Early radio was live and local with particular emphasis on live. Coats was kept busy booking performers, copying grain prices, trying

to piece news together, answering mail handling technical problems and serving as the stations only announcer. He needed help. 18-year-old Shaw had two attributes that were vital for the job. She had just graduated from business college, and she could play the piano. Having someone who could accompany entertainers was an invaluable asset for any early radio station. The decision to put Lilian Shaw on the air was largely a function of necessity. General manager Darby Coats was operating on an extremely limited budget and there was no one else to do the job. In an interview at the time of her retirement in 1971 Shaw did credit Coats with some progresMoir sive thinking. “He thought it would be a novel idea to have a lady’s voice.” Not that Lilian was a stranger to the world of entertainment. Her mother was well known soprano. A Mrs. Shaw would perform at CKY on a regular basis often accompanied by her daughter. Lilian Shaw read news, livestock, and grain market reports, introduced recordings, handled some technical duties, served as station secretary and played the piano. On air work did not come naturally. During an interview in 1938 she admitted the “nervousness felt at the prospect

of having to announce at the microphone.” Another chore was “the tiring job of perpetually winding the phonograph. Sometimes we would forget to wind it and it would run down in the middle of a number.” From time to time there were also unexpected challenges. A favorite story was how Shaw once helped physically remove a drunken woman who had showed up to sing. Any concern that early listeners would not accept a woman’s voice were soon put to rest. Shaw turned out to be a very popular young lady among the radio audience. Shaw recalled that her reception was “very favourable most of the time.

I made wonderful friends amongst the listeners”. Just how favourable became evident in 1926, when she was voted the most popular announcer in Canada. The contest was run by a Chicago based publication titled Radio Digest. Over the course of several months readers could vote for their favorite announcers in Canada and the United States. She was nominated by her boss Darby Coats who declared, “Lilian Shaw of CKY Winnipeg, the finest little radio announcer in the Dominion.” Shaw easily won the popularity contest over seven other nominees—all men. In the 1930s Shaw left her on-air work to become assistant to the general manager at the government owned station. By that time, she had become one of the most influential woman in Canadian broadcasting. When CKY was sold to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1948 Shaw made the move to the CBC where she worked behind the scenes for another 23 years. American Hall of Fame broadcaster Martha Jean Steinberg, “the Queen”, once declared, ”To be a woman in this business you have to think like a man, act like a lady, and work like a dog. “ Lilian Shaw would no doubt agree. Garry Moir has spent more than 50 years in the broadcasting industry. He has written extensively about local radio history including a book titled “On The Air: The Golden Age of Manitoba Radio.” He currently produces the daily “History Vault” feature on CJNU radio.

Winnipeg cover band <<REWiND<< releases first original tune in tribute to lost bandmate Continued from page 1

after their passing, if at all. This song, then, is for all of us who are grieving.” Featuring Ruppel on lead vocal and rhythm guitar, the bluesy number was arranged in collaboration with the band’s pianist, Rick Hemmerling, lead guitarist Kasey Kurtz, and bass-player John Wrublowsky. Instrumental breaks throughout the song highlight each player’s own musical expression of personal 8

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loss. During production, Chris Wheeler, the band’s drummer and recording engineer/producer, added his own finesse to the tune from his CruHouse Studio. The third co-founder of the band, singer/percussionist Linda Burgess, lost both her father and sister during the pandemic. She describes the song as “a musical retelling of the emotional journey I have been on, from anger to acceptance and the drying

of my eyes all along the way.” The description above begs the question: Is this a sad song? Ruppel responds with an emphatic “No! It was as if Gord was sitting just behind my left shoulder while I was writing the song,” Ruppel recalls. “I could hear his voice clearly warning me, ‘Just don’t write a [bleepin’] tearjerker!’ And so, I promised him I wouldn’t.” REWiND invites the public

to be the judge. Now available all musical platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Deezer) YouTube: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=bAQli4rcnYl , REWiND’s website www.rewindharmonies.com, and Facebook Page: Rewind – the Show Band. Email: llbruppel@gmail.com; rewindharmonies@gmail.com; Call: Larry Ruppel: (204)299-8507 May 2022

A & O: Support Services for Older Adults celebrates 65 years of service to older Manitobans

& O: Support Services for was established on May 8, 1957. In Older Adults celebrates 65 2012, Age & Opportunity rebrandyears of providing innovative ed to A & O: Support Services for program and service delivery to old- Older Adults with a focus on three foundational pillars: er Manitobans on May safety and security; so8, 2022. The agency cial engagement; and will be hosting a small counselling. anniversary celebration The issues of povat its annual general erty, loneliness and meeting that will be poor health identified held on June 14, 2022. in the report published A & O began as a in 1956 continue to be study conducted by issues faced by many the Welfare Council of A & O: older Manitobans toGreater Winnipeg and day. 16.9 per cent of financed by The WinSupport Services for the Canadian populanipeg Foundation. The Older Adults tion was 65 years of report named Age and age or older in 2016, Opportunity was published in 1956, focusing on the is- this number is expected to double by sues of poverty, loneliness and poor 2036 (Statistics Canada, 2016). We health within the older adult popu- have a social responsibility to suplation. The study concluded two port people in aging well, it is in all thirds of all older adults in the region of our best interests. There are many committed orgawere living on marginal incomes - or nizations doing their best with very worse. In response to this report, the little capacity to support the growfirst Age and Opportunity Bureau ing number of older people. Why

May 2022

has there been such little movement, why does it continue to be difficult to navigate the system, connect the dots and provide comprehensive resources for people to age well? AGEISM…. as a society we are terrified of aging, yet we all have ageing in common. Ageist attitudes although they may not be intentional are common and run rampant in our youth obsessed culture. Has ageism played a role in hampering the political will to respond effectively to population aging? Do decision makers feel they are immune to the aging process or are they simply ignoring it, perhaps it isn’t on their radar? It is long overdue to start recognizing the needs of an aging population, we all have the right to age well! Due to the pandemic the agency’s innovative programs and services have been called on to respond, many of which have been in place well before Covid-19. The pandemic has brought the need for specialized programs and services for older people to the forefront. This

need was required pre- pandemic, during, and must be sustained after Covid-19. Since A & O’s inception, the agency has been recognized as a national leader in the development of forward-thinking programs and services for older adults. Many of the agency’s programs are the first of their kind in Canada and have since been widely adapted across the country. The agency is dedicated to continuing to pave the way for innovative social services that support older Manitobans in aging well today, and for many years to come. For more information, visit https://www.aosupportservices.ca.

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Directory of Manitoba Association of Senior Centres 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 Thompson Seniors Resource Council 4 Nelson Rd., Thompson, MB (204) 677-0987 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 Grand Marais & District Seniors 36058 PTH 12, Grand Marais (204) 770-6124 Riverton Seniors Activity Centre 12 Main St., Riverton (204) 378-2800 South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st St. W., Stonewall (204) 467-2582 www.si55plus.org 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 (204) 638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com

Prairie Oasis Centre 241 8th St., Brandon (204) 727-6641 www.prairieoasis.ca

Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg (204) 669-1710 www.gnalc.ca

Gilbert Plains and District Community Resource Council Inc. PO Box 567, Gilbert Plains, MB (204) 548 4131 www.gpdcrc-newhorizons.wix.com/gpdcrc

Winnipeg AREA

Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 339-1701 www.gwensecter.com

20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200 - 20 Fort St., Winnipeg (204) 233-6079

Grandview Seniors Drop In 432 Main St., Grandview (204) 546-2272

A & O Support Services for Older Adults Inc. 200 - 207 Donald St., Winnipeg (204) 956-6440 www.aosupportservices.ca

Headingley Seniors’ Services 5353 Portage Ave., Winnipeg (204) 889-3132 Ext. 3 www.headingleyseniorservices.ca

Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Rd. N., Portage la Prairie (204) 857-6951 www.hermanpriorcentre.com

Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre - Winnipeg 527 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg (204) 586-4595 www.asrcwpg.org

Manitoba Korean 55+ Centre 900-150 River Ave., Winnipeg (204) 996-7003 www.ksam.ca

Minnedosa Senior Citizens Assoc. 31 Main St. S., Minnedosa (204) 867-1956

Archwood 55 Plus 565 Guilbault St., Winnipeg (204) 416-1067 archwood55plusinc.weebly.com

Pembina Active Living 55+ 170 Fleetwood Rd., Winnipeg (204) 946-0839 www.pal55plus.ca

Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre 51 Morrow Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-9152 www.barbaramitchellfrc.ca

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

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 Plumas Senior Citizens Club Inc. 102 White St., Plumas (204) 386-2029 Portage Service for Seniors 40A Royal Road N., Portage la Prairie (204) 239-6312 Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St., Sandy Lake (204) 585-2411 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

Bleak House Centre 1637 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 338-4723 www.bleakhousecentre.com Broadway Seniors Resource Centre 823 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg (204) 772-3533 www.bsrc.ca Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Ave. W., Winnipeg (204) 632-8367 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

Rainbow Resource Centre 170 Scott St., Winnipeg (204) 474-0212, Ext. 211 www.rainbowresourcecentre.org South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 117-1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg 204-478-6169 www.swsrc.ca resources@swsrc.ca 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

Crescent Fort Rouge United Church 55+ 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg (204) 489-1925

Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave., Winnipeg (204) 222-9879 www.transconaseniors.ca

Dakota Comm. Centre - Dakota 55+ Lazers 1188 Dakota St., Winnipeg (204) 254-1010 E206 www.dakotacc.com

Transcona Retired Citizens Org. 328 Whittier Ave. West, Winnipeg (204) 777-5576

Dufferin Senior Citizens Inc. 377 Dufferin Avenue, Winnipeg (204) 986-2608

Vital Seniors 3 St. Vital Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-0555 www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org

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/

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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May 2022

When is enough, enough, so you can set aside worry about the future and begin to value living each day?

he world today seems to be to all of us in our daily lives and how a different place than a cen- has the past two years helped us to tury ago and yet my grand- maintain this statistic? Money is seen as one mother died in 1918 of the tools to get what of the Spanish Flu, a is wanted out of life. The pandemic. How many question those of us are grandmothers died in asking that are living lonthe present pandemic? ger than we anticipated A century ago World is “How much money War 1 raged in Europe. do we need?” and if we That war was viewed are living longer than we from a distance. This planned for, where is it present War is raging, going to come from? As again in Europe, but I noted in my comments the disaster and atrocilast month, “uncertainty ties of war are viewed Peggy Prendergast and resiliency” is what the in our living rooms every night on television. Exploring Lifestyle Ukrainian population that is fleeing with their young Has the world really 55 Possibilities children are showing the learned anything about rest of the world. Is that the value of life? The most vulnerable in the present not what our forefathers and mothpandemic have been the older adults ers showed when they first came to in our population. Statistics Canada this country? I am a first generation has revealed lately that the fastest Canadian and that is the example, I growing population today is that of now realize, my parents, who met people 85 and older. I ask the ques- on the boat coming to this country, tion: “How can that be?” when the taught me. The social isolation of greatest percentage of deaths in the the last two years has allowed me population during the pandemic has to reflect on my life, sometimes get been in that population? However, it stressed over not seeming to be able appears that many people are look- to do anything about my life at the ing after themselves better due to the time. I then realized that money, due education they have been receiving to inflation, is a diminishing resource over the years re: nutrition, exercise in my life but the other main diminand participating in wellness activi- ishing resource is time. How much ties. What are the resources available longer do I have to live? What is my

legacy? Is it the dollars I will leave behind, the results of those dollars in the future to whomever I choose to leave them or is it what I have used my time on earth in my daily endeavours to achieve for the greater good? How will I spend both the money at my disposal and the time I have left to really live. I have just gathered together my income tax submission. I came to the realization that I have enough! Depending on my bucket list and final life goals and endeavours it is a quieting and calming realization that I have enough! But it is also disquieting in many ways to also realize “I have always had enough!” In the past I have allowed myself to be stressed because

of fear of the future. It is what I do each day with the life experiences and the knowledge of what I want in life to whether I have “enough” and to know how little or how much I need to make me content with what I have and have strived to accomplish over my lifetime. I have a card that adorns my fridge: DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY! In multi-coloured letters, it reminds me every day to greet each day with a smile and hope for the future, for myself, the people in my life I value and the world at large. I have much to value in my life. “My cup runneth over!” I now know the Universe will show the way if I just stay quiet and listen.

Creating a timeless legacy.

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May 2022

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RWB May Spotlight features Laurencia excerpts Canadian dance luminary Anne-Marie Holmes, 80, visits Winnipeg

Anna-Marie Holmes in Professional Division Class. Photo by Michelle Blais.

Ballet Academic Program Students. Photo by Leif Norman.

ach year, the Spotlight performance showcases the growth of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division students’ skills, the breadth of their talent and the depth of these young artists’ passion for the art of dance. In May, audiences will enjoy highlights from Laurencia – a rarely seen, demi-classical work with a distinct character style. Laurencia is a masterpiece ballet created by Vakhtang Chabukiani in the 30s. It is set to music by Alexander Krein and is based on the play Fuente Ovejuna by Lope de Vega about a Spanish peasant uprising – the overthrow of a despot by the underprivileged – which showcases heroic women. Chabukiani attempted to unite the elements of virtuosic classical dance to create a choreodrama. He brought folklore touches in the form of various character solo and ensemble dances. Among many fascinating group dances were a wellsynchronized pas de six and a couple of flamenco-inspired dances. Chabukiani also asserted the importance of the male dance – the notion of "heroic" male dance. According to School Director Stéphane Léonard, “Our production will feature many of the characters from the full length but will mainly focus on the romantic, tender and loving aspect of the plot. We chose the best dancing scenes and carefully assembled them together in a mosaic of unique, distinguished and vibrant, colourful style.” To add to the excitement, Léonard asked the artistic director, choreographer, producer, teacher, celebrated ballerina and internationally acclaimed dance luminary Anna-Marie

Holmes to visit Winnipeg for three weeks in March and stage excerpts from Laurencia. Holmes last staged this ballet here in 2009. This invitation gave the senior level Ballet Academic Program students a rare opportunity to learn from the indomitable Holmes, who celebrated her milestone 80th birthday on April 17, 2022. Mission City, British Columbia is the proud birthplace of Anna-Marie Holmes. She initially studied piano and ballet. Holmes went on to study in Canada and England and later met Agnes de Mille who took her to New York to dance Brigadoon, where she studied with New York City Ballet teacher Felia Doubrovska. In Russia, she privately trained with Natalia Dudinskaya, Alexander Pushkin and Alla Shelest. Holmes was a soloist with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet from 1960 to 1962 and a guest performer with the Kirov Ballet during the early 1960s, the first North American dancer invited to perform with them. Her extraordinary talent could not be denied! During her international dancing career, Anna-Marie Holmes was a muse for some of the most celebrated choreographers of our time – all of whom choreographed new works for her. Throughout her career, Holmes danced with the London Festival Ballet, Royal Scottish Ballet, Berlin Stattsoper, National Ballet of Holland, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Chicago International Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Deutsche Staatsoper and the Kirov Ballet. Upon retiring from the stage in 1985, Holmes joined Boston Ballet and became the leading artistic visionary for

the Company and subsequently Artistic Director. When Holmes left the Boston Ballet in 2001, she promptly resumed her international career, this time teaching, staging and coaching around the world. Holmes’ interpretations of the Russian classics have been staged in more than 30 countries on five continents. She has also garnered a reputation as a leading champion for new and innovative choreography. Holmes is a fixture in the ballet world, an incredibly respected artist, and this comes from a lifetime of outstanding work. Total retirement is not in Holmes’ vocabulary yet. Holmes spoke of her time re-staging Laurencia and working with the RWB School students: “The Laurentia excerpts radiate exuberance – they are lively and lots of fun – this is not a tutu ballet. It is character-driven and technically hard.” She went on to add: “I love the Canadian energy for this ballet – the RWB Professional School students are eager to learn and a pleasure to work with – I had great rapport with the dancers. And the new School student living centre is fabulous!” A huge thank you to the amazing Anna-Marie Holmes! Spotlight will also feature three new contemporary pieces by female choreographers Gabriela Rehak, Maggie Weatherdon, and Nicole Coppens that tell different stories about the environment and climate change. Reserve your seat today at Spotlight (rwb.org) which runs from Thursday, May 19 – Sunday, May 22, 2022, at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People.

Called to the “Honour Role”* by RMTC *Pun intended

or 32 years members of the Manitoba Bar Association have supported the Lawyers Play – a fundraiser that has raised an astonishing cumulative total of $1,140,000 in vital funds to support the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Launched in 1990 with a production of Twelve Angry Jurors, the Lawyers Play is an innovative collaboration that auditions and casts members of the Manitoba Bar Association in a new production every year. It was pioneered here in Manitoba, but the “Lawyers Play” model has been adopted by theatre companies across Canada (including Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa, and Nightwood Theatre in Toronto) and spurred some similar fundraisers such as the Dentist Musical here in Winnipeg. At MTC, cast members are supported by a professional team throughout the rehearsal process, culminating in a fully realized production with excellent musicians in the band, beautiful costumes, and local directors and choreographers ensuring the lawyers acquit themselves with great talent and confidence. Twenty-nine productions later, MBA members have performed hard-hitting dramas, sidesplitting comedies, toe-tapping musicals, and even Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream for sold-out crowds. Every year we recognize new inductees into the Lawyers Play Honour Role 12

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Mamma Mia Cast Photo. (pun intended). The Honour Role is comprised of MBA members who have participated in the Lawyers Play either in the cast or by sitting on the committee for five or more years. At the top of the list, with over 20 productions each, are Jim McLandress and Joan Holmstrom. Jim was in the very first Lawyers Play, Twelve Angry Jurors, in 1990 as Juror #7 and appeared again when the show was revived for the 25th anniversary in 2017 as the Judge – a role played by a different special guest each evening. Joan also appeared in Twelve Angry Jurors in 1990 and her most recent turn was in 2019 for Mamma Mia! This year we welcome Tashia Dreger

and Sandi Phillips onto the Honour Role at the 5+ years level, while Jessica Cogan, Paul Cooper, and Darcia Senft move up to the 10+ year level. Bragging rights and a snazzy pin await newly appointed members of the Honour Role. We are deeply grateful to the Manitoba Bar Association and to each and every MBA member who has auditioned, performed, sat on the committee, and bought a ticket to the Lawyers Play. They’ve made it possible for Royal MTC to create, produce and present extraordinary theatre and share the act of imagining with audiences. MBA Lawyers are at it again with The World Goes ‘Round – a stunning revue of

the songbook from Kander and Ebb – the multi-Tony Award-winning team. From Cabaret to Chicago, the hits include unforgettable gems like “Mr. Cellophane,” “Maybe This Time,” “Cabaret” and “New York, New York,” This passionate evening of musical theatre runs May 10-14 at the Tom Hendry Warehouse. Tickets at royalmtc.ca/lawyersplay. Honour Role Members 20+ Years Joan Holmstrom, Jim McLandress. 10+ Years Gail Asper, Jessica Cogan, Paul Cooper, Cynthia Hiebert-Simkin, John Harvie, Jeff Hirsch, Jamie Jurczak, Brenda Keyser, Nalini Reddy, Brad Regehr, Evan Roitenberg, Darcia Senft, Priti Shah, Mark Toews. 5+ Years Kathrine Basarab, Melissa Beaumont, Kalyn Bomback, Krista Boryshavich, Lawrie Cherniack, Martin Corne, Tashia Dreger, Adrian Frost, Danny Gunn, Bill Haight, John Harvie, Melissa Hazelton, Sean Hicks, Vivian Hilder, Reannah Hocken, Jessica Isaak, Catherine Kelly, Robin Kersey, Bryan Klein, David Kroft, Laureen Lu, Hayley Main, Candray Mehkary, Ron Meyers, Marika Nerbas, Mark O’Neill, Sandra Phillips, Gerry Posner, Vivian Rachlis, Margaret Redmond, Jaime Rosin, Steve Scarfone, Garth Smorang, Lyle Smordin, Neil Steen, Stephanie Tetreault, Maria Versace, Richard Yaffe. May 2022

Flin Flon continues to shine with arts and arts opportunities

lin Flon is forging a new path as we exit the pan- about 30 other intrepid souls and we saw a real treat. demic phase and move into the endemic world The cast of Susan Gunn, Alain LaChappelle, Miranda of Covid 19. That doesn’t mean we are “back to Bowman and John Bettgar and pre-taped cameo appearances by Raphael Saray, Dallas Clark, normal”. We may never be normal again as Jelissa Kerfont Wiegers and Trent Hill was variants continue to emerge and circulate, perfect. The four main cast members not but we are starting to have local shows only had to remember their lines but also and make plans for inside-the-provincework their puppet characters in real-time performers to come to our town. We are from the next room (in this case NorVA taking baby steps. We don’t have plans to Gallery, right next door). The characters import performers from other provinces on the screen that the audience saw while just yet, sitting in Johnny’s were moving their We had an amazing live “performance” mouths and eyes at the same time as the of (Shrug) which is the Projactors sitting next door. They were being ect we mentioned in our last column but, filmed each on their own computers then until we saw it, we really had no idea! It that was fed into the main computer bewas fantastic! The show was available oning operated by creator Mike Spencer and line at a cost of $10 which ‘bought’ you Elly Spencer translated into the cartoon characters we an access code with which you could tune The arts from could see on the big screen in Johnny’s into the program. Or you could attend up here Social Club. the Watch Party at Johnny’s Social Club The ‘real’ characters are sucked into cyfor $20 and of course, you could imbibe there so that made it quite appealing. Also, you didn’t berspace by their phones and then meet a series of chalhave to confess that you were not confident that you lenges in the form of internet advertisements, to get could do the online thing and still see the show. This out again. It was wacky and goofy as only a script by option was a challenge for us on two levels: one, the Raphael Saray can be and is very, very funny. Saray has physical use of technology; and two, the creator is actu- written and performed plays in the Winnipeg Fringe ally our son so the level of explanation necessary if we Festival for several years pre-Covid. All the puppet/ cartoons and all the background ‘scenery’ were drawn somehow missed it was not to be contemplated. So off to Johnny’s Social Club we went, along with by Mike Spencer, who conceived the project. It was so

inventive and such a cool way to use technology. Audiences and creators alike owe plenty of thanks to the Manitoba Arts Council which provided the funding for this endeavour. Uptown Emporium The Uptown Emporium store for artisans and crafters continues to make good use of the grant funding they received from the economic development sector. The small shop on Flin Flon’s Main Street is lovely and has beautifully laid out goods for sale. It is representing artisans from all over northern Manitoba in such a professional way. We really wish that all of them could see it and could see how well they are being represented, perhaps over the summer months travel will be more possible. Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous has reached out to their local hosts to discuss the start-up of their home concerts again, perhaps in September 2022. This new iteration however has also received grant funding, to boost small venues which suffered particularly during the pandemic as performers could not travel to perform nor in fact, perform at all. Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous hopes to begin again with a small tour featuring Manitoba based performers with one major difference, the performers will play in small venues like Flin Flon’s Johnny’s Social Club instead of hosts’ homes. As usual, Flin Flon is absolutely punching well above its weight in the arts and cultural life of our country.

Only just over a half century ago, a Winnipeg rock band and then its spin-off dominated the world of music

n May 9, 1970, 52 years suggest, ill-timed departure from The ago this month, Winnipeg’s Guess Who. In December 1966, Randy BachGuess Who topped the covman married Reginaeted Billboard Hot 100 raised Lorayne Stevensingles chart for a reson who grew up in the markable first of three Mormon faith. Randy weeks with their single soon converted to Mor“American Woman”, a monism which dictates feat not achieved by any abstinence from alcoCanadian rock band to hol, coffee, cigarettes that point. For the four and drugs, all of which young men from Winrun counter to the sex, nipeg – Burton Cumdrugs and rock ‘n’ roll mings, Randy Bachman, ethos. While the group Jim Kale and Garry was able to maintain a Peterson – it was the John Einarson respectful détente, by crowning achievement Local Music 1969 Randy’s lifestyle after many years of hard Spotlight was becoming an obwork and dedication. stacle as their ultimate And yet, at the very conquest of the pop moment of their greatest success and international acclaim, charts had begun with “These Eyes” founding member, guitarist and song- and further hit singles. Randy was the writer Randy Bachman was ousted businessman in the group and looked by his band mates. Writing in the after the finances on the road. But the June 1970 issue of Beetle pop music others began to feel he was manipulatmagazine, Canadian music journal- ing their schedule to accommodate his ist Ritchie Yorke summed up the sig- personal affairs. In early 1970, Randy began suffernificance of Randy’s exit: “You could compare it to John Lennon having left ing painful gall bladder attacks and the Beatles two weeks before Rubber told the band that he needed to see Soul was released. In terms of musi- his own doctor. It was agreed that cal potential and financial prospects, he would return to Winnipeg while Bachman’s action was one of sheer the other members carried on with a madness. Nobody but a fool would temporary replacement, finishing tour change teams halfway through a foot- dates. The plan was then for Randy to ball game when the team he was then meet up with the band in New York on was 30 points ahead. Yet Bach- on May 16 for a triumphant gig at the man did it, and full points to him for legendary Fillmore East. But when guts, if nothing else. One day we will one of the band members phoned find out why Randy Bachman left the Randy the day before, he discovered group, thus committing what one can that Randy was already in New York only describe as the major folly of rock attending meetings with RCA Records executives to negotiate a contract to music in 1970. Why?” Why, indeed? While Randy Bach- produce an album by Winnipeg band man went on to prove naysayers like The Mongrels and release a solo guitar Yorke wrong four years later with instrumental album, Axe. That’s when Bachman-Turner Overdrive, whose re- things turned ugly. “We felt betrayed,” revealed drumcord sales far eclipsed that of his former band, questions lingered for de- mer Garry Peterson. “Here we were cades about his abrupt and, as some on tour struggling to keep the band May 2022

Clockwise from top: Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Garry Peterson, Jim Kale. from cancelling gigs and Randy, who was supposed to be sick and having a gall bladder operation, is in New York making a record deal.” Tempers boiled over and Randy found himself in a nasty confrontation with his band mates in a New York city hotel room. According to Peterson, “Randy walked in and Burton said ‘Randy, we don’t want you in the band anymore.’ He was fired.” “In hindsight, I think my split from the Guess Who was inevitable,” mused Randy decades later. “If it hadn’t happened that spring it was only a matter of time. The differences between us were too strong and I didn’t want to be out on the road that much. I didn’t like the lifestyle of the other guys and couldn’t see it changing any time soon. With the success of “American Woman” it would only increase. I was aching to be home with my family.” That night, The Guess Who head-

lined a concert at the Fillmore East. Backstage nothing was said of the split. At a post-concert soiree at Sardi’s Restaurant, RCA executives were informed that Randy was out of the group. It was left to the band’s record producer Jack Richardson to break the news. “I told them that as long as we had Burton, we have the Guess Who. He was the voice of the band. Losing Randy did not mean the end of the group.” While The Guess Who carried on with a revolving door of recruits over the next five years, they never again enjoyed the string on million-selling hits they scored between 1969 and 1970 and never topped the Billboard charts again. Meanwhile, Randy Bachman scored a Billboard #1 hit single in 1974 with “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. He is among a rare few musicians who have achieved a Billboard #1 single with two different bands. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Athlone Drive and its “bird” satellites To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. James (starting just west of St. James Street to Sturgeon Road) breaking away from Assiniboia to form their own municipality, I am doing street profiles. This column features Athlone Drive.

Some of the People who lived part of their lives on these streets. The first residents all from Athlone Drive listed in the 1964 Henderson Directory were William and Joyce Minaker, Cecil and Rita Rippen, and Alf, and Helen Schellenberg. It is unusual for the children of he opportunity to become a national championship team to become, decades later, Governor Genteammates on another eral usually hapnational championship. pens once in a lifetime. Ron “Pepe” Latourelle The Earl of Athlone and Steve Patrick were (1874 to 1957) experiWinnipeg Blue Bombenced this opportunity er teammates ins four twice. Between 1923 Grey Cup Championand 1930, Athlone ships (1958, ‘59, ‘61 served as the Governor and 1962). Steve played General of the Union middle guard on the of South Africa. Bedefensive line. Ron retween 1940 and 1946, turned punts in an era Athlone was Canada's Fred Morris when blocking was not Governor General. allowed on kick returns. This story features From the desk During the 1961 Grey Athlone Drive, and its of a gadfly Cup game, Ron filled three spinoff streets in at halfback for an innamed after birds: Red Robin Place, Flamingo Ave., and jured teammate and contributed 180 Meadowlark Place. Athlone encircles yards in net offence. In 1993, Tara Athlone School and its large parklike Patrick (Steve's daughter), Sue Anne lot which it shares with Bruce Mid- Latourelle (Ron's daughter), and dle School. The three short, bird- Carrie Chernomaz (soon to become named streets connect various parts Steve's daughter-in-law) were teamof Athlone. These spinoff streets are mates on the Canadian University of not listed in Henderson Directories Winnipeg Wesman Volleyball Champions. until 1964.

In 1988, Jason Stefanson of Silver Heights Collegiate won the Garland Keith award. The award is based on all round athletic ability, school standing, and community service. Stephen and James Patrick, both former NHL players, are in the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. James is currently the head coach of one of Canada's top junior hockey Teams, the Winnipeg Ice. (Why can the Ice not play their playoff games in the Canada Life Center?) Sandra Patrick was the athlete of the year for Sturgeon Creek High School. Kim Patrick played on the 1971 Bruce Junior High Basketball Championships. Athlone School opened in 1965. In 1969, Bruce Middle School at 333 Booth Drive opened. Therefore, it is fitting that many people connected with St. James Education lived part of their lives on these streets. Con Sigurdson and Lincoln Lautermilch both served as Principal of Assiniboine School on Winston Road in east St. James Assiniboine School is 100 years old this year. Other educators include Fred Birrell my Grade 7 teacher, Gary Jones, and the previously mentioned Ron Latourelle. School Trustees include Sandra Patterson Green, Iva Yeo, and Craig McGregor. Craig is currently on the University of Winnipeg Board of Regents.

Dave Graham was one of the St. James Aldermen when the St. James Civic Centre opened. After winning a Grey Cup and a provincial election in the same month, Steve Patrick served as the Assiniboia MLA for the next 15 years. As an Liberal member of the Opposition, Steve held both PC and NDP governments accountable. Between 1988 and 1990, Iva Yeo was the Liberal MLA for Sturgeon Creek. Iva strongly advocated improved safety conditions to Sturgeon Road between Saskatchewan and Inkster. In 1955, Steve Patrick founded Patrick Realty. In 1966, Ron and Kathy Telesky founded Telesky Taxidermist. The Taxidermist became a West End fixture for over 50 years. In 1981, Eric Sawyer started Sawyer Financial. His daughter Lindsay currently operates the business. There are a couple of MTS connections. Tom Stefanson served as MTS Chairman. Arnie Schlipert riding a bicycle was pictured on the cover of a phone book. As I was finishing my research, I discovered a couple of real estate ads referring to Athlone Drive as The Cherry Blossom. Is this true? Next time, I will feature Amherst Street. Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.

There may be only one Queen, but nobody can beat Best!

haron McBain takes up the challenge issued by Fred Morris for information on St. James streets. She said, “I am sending the following article into the newspaper in response to Fred Morris’s article entitled “Queen Street, Once the epitome of a very Winnipeg lifestyle” in the April 2022 Lifestyles 55 publication. ••• Dear Fred Morris: I love a challenge but I’m not a member of the Manitoba Historical Society. Your article about Queen Street caught my eye. I currently live on Best Street in what used to be the Rural Municipality of Assiniboia. My street was called Queen Street until the RM merged with the City of St. James and then the City of Winnipeg. As we all know, there can be only one Queen! We are part of your St. James history! For those new to Winnipeg, Assiniboia was once a municipality west of the City of St. James, which itself was west of the City of Winnipeg. Imagine being at the corner of Portage Ave. and Main Street in the City of Winnipeg. Start driving west on Portage Ave. and just past Polo Park you would have been in the City of St. James. Keep driving west and you would reach the RM of Assiniboia. Portage Avenue has grown in length over the life of these places. Trolleys were the public form of transportation at one time, and they eventually reached Assiniboia before the city converted to buses.

As the City of Winnipeg and the City of St. James continued growing, the RM of Assiniboia made the decision to amalgamate with the City of St. James. At that time my home, south of Portage Ave., was still called Queen Street, but it was now in the City of St. JamesAssiniboia where there already was a Queen Street so our street was renamed Best Street. The oldest house is at 456 Best Street. It was built in 1949. All the other houses on the street were built between 1961 and 1963, when in 1960 a plot of agricultural land was converted into a residential development called Westwood. Land for schools and a public library were set aside. The mink farm at the end Bedson Street eventually closed. Street lighting and water/sewage lines were added. It was a busy year for Best Street. In 1965, two years after the final house was constructed on Best Street, the five largest ethnic groups in Winnipeg were British, Ukrainians, German, French and Polish. If you lived on Best Street in 1965, the surnames of your neighbours included Anderson, Barbaza, Duffy, Horodyski, Kolkman, MacTavich, Orlesky, Rougeau, Schellenberg and Vetters, to name a few. The people on our street, according to the 1965 Henderson Directory, earned their living by being an engineer, an editor, police officer, a buyer, a printer, a bartender, a clerk, stenographer, a teacher, a bank manager, a nurse, an accountant, a commercial artist, an

insurance underwriter, a plumber, a welder, ab electrician, a carpenter and a long-distance driver. According to the 1965 Henderson directory, the people who lived 0n Best Street worked for companies like Union Acceptance Corporation Limited, IBM, Royal Canadian Air Force, the provincial Department of Public Works, Canadian Pacific Railway, Salvation Army, City of Winnipeg Police Department, Manitoba Hydro, Canada Safeway, Simpson Sears, Saint James Collegiate, Trydon Construction, Thiessen Bus Lines, Bank of Montreal, Manitoba Telecom, Deer Lodge Hospital, Winnipeg General Hospital, Winnipeg School Division, Moore Business Forms, Russell Food Equipment and Universal Signs. When the first home owners on Best Street bought their home the average temperatures in the month of May ranged from a 51° to 55° F (10° to 13° C). We weren’t talking Celsius at that time because metrification started in 1970. In 1965, plans put were in place to build a $5.5 million Salvation Army hospital in St. James. It is now Grace hospital and was finished in 1967. In an emergency you knew the hospital was less than five minutes away from my home on Best Street. The Kinsmen Rehab Centre for children and adults was also opened in October 1963. In those days, the people who lived on my street got monthly a Family Allowance cheque for children under 16 years of age. Can you

believe that it was six dollars per month for children under 10 years of age and eight dollars per month for those 10 to 15 years old? I don’t think that would amount to a hill of beans right now, but it was a great way to help families stretch their budget. Those who are much older may remember old age security being $75 per month. It was paid by the federal government to all seniors 70 years and older who had been residents in Canada at least 10 years. The CPP was just being established in 1965! The proposal was that one percent of an employee’s earnings would come off their pay cheque and it would be matched by the employer who would pay one percent as well. Unemployment insurance was in place and an employee paid a maximum of $0.94 a week which would get them a maximum benefit of $36 per week if they became unemployed and had dependents. If you were single, unemployed and had no dependents you got $27 per week. If you lived in the City of St. JamesAssiniboia, you got your electricity from Manitoba Hydro. Downtown Winnipeg got their hydro from Winnipeg Hydro. In 1965, Winnipeg Hydro customers could rent an electric water heater for only $1.95 a month. Good old days! Best Street will be 60 years old in 2023 and I think that is something to celebrate! How old is your street? Sharon A. Bain MBA, CPA/CMA

83 per cent of Americans would take a second job for their pets

t's National Pet Month and American pet owners were surveyed by Veterinarians.org to know how far they could go for their pets. One of the interesting results is that 83 per cent of Americans say they'd work a second job to pay for their pet's health care. Key Finding of the studies: • 51 per cent of men would not end a relationship if someone didn't like their pet. 14

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• 62 per cent of Millennials would end a relationship with someone if they didn't like their pet • 58 per cent of Gen X respondents would end a relationship with someone who didn't like their pet. • 21.6 per cent of people would end a relationship with someone if their pet didn't like them. • 78.4 per cent of people would not end a relationship with someone if their pet didn't like them.

• 30 per cent of women would end a relationship with someone if their pet didn't like them. • 25 per cent of Millennials would end a relationship with someone if their pet didn't like them. • 28 per cent of women would cut off a friend or family member if they didn't like their pet. • 29.4 per cent of Millennials would cut off a friend or family member if they didn't like their pet. May 2022

The Arts are not just fun and games: How Investing in Manitoba’s Arts and Culture is good business

ver the last few months I have spent a lot of time thinking about the role that arts and culture play in Manitoba’s economy and in its community spirit. With the ongoing challenges for the performing arts caused by the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the concerns a b o u t healthcare, education, the environment, floods, d ro u g h t s , and community violence, why spend time Trudy Schroeder considering the impact of the cultural sector? There are many community advantages related to the arts and cultural sector, but for today I want to consider the economic advantages of investing in Manitoba’s creative sector. The cultural sector has some significant advantages in economic development: The Cultural Sector is An Economic Driver. In 2019, the cultural sector accounted for $1.6 billion of direct financial activity, which is 2.7 per cent of Manitoba’s total GDP. Just for reference, the Finance and Insurance sector is 6.14 per cent of Manitoba’s total GDP, and the Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas sector is 2.69 per cent of Manitoba’s GDP. The Cultural Sector Creates Jobs. The cultural sector provides 22,500 direct jobs in the Manitoba economy. This is 3.4 percent of Manitoba’s work force. (Statistics Canada as reported in the 2019 Provincial Culture Policy document.) In the Canadian context, the cultural sector has 516,000 workers and this is 3.1 per cent of the total Canadian labour force. The jobs created in the cultural sector

tend to draw educated and trained personnel, who also become active in other areas of community life. The art forms tend to be able to partner well with each other and provide additional benefits to their communities. The cultural sector also has many artists and artisans who are self-employed. This possibility of self-employment lends itself well to rural and remote communities, as long as there is a network and support to ensure that the art created can reach a market. This means, with some careful development, the cultural sector could have a strong impact in rural and remote areas of Manitoba Jobs are Created Efficiently and Without Large Capital and Infrastructure Investment. Unlike mining, manufacturing, transportation, and hydro-electricity, the jobs in the cultural sector require relatively low levels of capital investment. The work is artisanal and requires an investment in people to produce the art, but not a lot of large and expensive machinery. For example, in the area of theatre, the actors you see on the stage are usually just a third or less of the people needed to mount the play. There are directors, make-up artists, costume designers, set designers, set builders, sound experts, finance, sales, marketing, fundraising, volunteer managers, and many more involved in the production of a show. This engagement of people is part of what makes the arts so magical, because it also creates a community. The Cultural Sector Can Transform A Decaying Downtown Area. In many communities, there has been a decline in the liveliness and profitability of the downtown area with previously well used businesses moving to suburban areas. There are many examples of ways in which the cultural sector has helped to find new uses for heritage buildings, churches, schools, or warehouses, and one of the interesting findings in many communities in which the cultural sec-

Manitoba Indigenous Beadwork from the Collection of Manitoba Museum. tor re-uses and rehabilitates existing facilities, is that there is often a connected flourishing of good coffee shops in the area. Growth of Related Businesses. The economic benefits of the cultural sector provide a positive spin off to other businesses as well. Where there is a live music venue, concert hall, art gallery, museum, or festival, there is also a benefit for restaurants, bars, local retail stores, paid parking lots, and other related businesses before and after the performances or museum visits. Employment of First Nations Artists and Crafts People. The cultural sector is a good space for employment of First Nations artists and crafts people. In music, dance, film, theatre, visual arts and crafts, the First Nations artists have made a name for themselves, and cultivation and support for artists in these communities could generate significant benefits in those communities and it could also be

an important way to continue the traditions and art forms that have been such an important part of the community life. Cultural Assets Enhance Tourism. A flourishing cultural sector in Manitoba enhances the tourism sector. Tourists travel to Manitoba to see polar bears, whales, and the Northern Lights, and their experience can be significantly enhanced by cultural experiences in Northern Communities. Investment in the museums, performance spaces, and retail access to high quality crafts and arts products from the region could have a significant economic impact. I often think about the story of Niagara on the Lake in Ontario which experienced a complete revitalization of the town linked to the development of the Shaw Theatre Festival. Smart investment in Manitoba’s cultural sector is a very smart financial move. Trudy Schroeder provides project planning and management services to the community through Arts and Heritage Solutions.

My Saviour watches over me

At school, when I was twelve, once hen I was a child, I had the habit of looking up to see per week, my class spent one hour in my benevolent saviour kindly the school library where we read books. One area of the library had watching over me as I quinone-circulating books, etly rebelled against my including an "Everyman's superiors. Andrew CarnLibrary" collection of egie, from high above, classic literature. Perushad a perfect view of me ing through this collecas I secretly read books on tion, I came across Crime the mezzanine floor of the and Punishment. As I William Avenue library. started reading, I became Carnegie, in his writenthralled. This is a psyings, advised we should chological novel revealing question everything, bea common man's inner cause convention is usustruggles. Because this was ally wrong. He wrote, a non-circuiting book, I if convention proclaims Wayne Weedon could only read it once a something to be good, it is Food for week when my class was often bad, and, if convenThought in the library. After sevtion proclaims something eral weeks of reading this to be bad, it is often good. In his autobiography, Carnegie gave his book, the librarian approached me and secret for amassing great wealth. He asked to see what I had in my hands. turned garbage into gold. He revealed She left the library, coming back with that what convention frequently tells us the principal to witness what book I is dross, is often gold, and, what con- had. The following week, I discovered vention tells us is gold, often turns out the "Everyman's Library" collection of books had vanished. The librarian told to be dross. Because most people do not under- me to find a book more appropriate for stand the difference between price and my age. The librarians at the public libraries value, Carnegie could easily convince people to give him what they were dis- had the same attitude, children were not carding, which he processed and sold at allowed to read or take out any "adult" a profit. Carnegie believed the reason he books. Luckily, I was very familiar with could do this was because most people the Carnegie library on William Avenue, have eyes but refuse to see, they have where, adjacent to the elevator, there ears but refuse to hear, and they have in- was a narrow stairway leading up to the telligence but refuse to reason. He could mezzanine where shelves held a collection of unused books. see value where others only saw trash. May 2022

Andrew Carnegie portrait from 1905. Courtesy of Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Furtively, I went into the adult section of the library where I quickly located a copy of Crime and Punishment. Quietly, I snuck up the stairs to the mezzanine, which, besides having no chairs to sit on, was poorly lit. I would sit on the floor, out of sight of the librarians, while quietly reading. I admit I felt somewhat guilty about what I was doing. However, when I looked up to see an oil painting of this library's benefactor hanging above the library's front doors, all feelings of guilt and remorse vanished. I was certain Andrew Carnegie was gazing down upon me with a smile of approval. At twelve years of age, Carnegie was not only reading "adult" books, he

was out in the working world making his own living. I was certain he was happy to see me reading the type of books he had been reading at my age. Evidently, the books on the mezzanine were being passively censored. They had never been indexed and given a Dewey Decimal sticker. Besides a copy of Andrew Carnegie's autobiography, I discovered a treasure trove of thought provoking books by Robert Green Ingersoll, Edward Podolsky, Alvin Boyd Kuhn, Mark Twain, Maria Monk, Charles Chiniquy, Gerald Massey, and others, including books written by psychiatrists: Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, Harry Stack Sullivan, Karen Horney, Alfred Adler, and Eric Fromm. Earl Nightingale stated, "We become what we think about." He suggested we can change our life by changing our attitude, and he advised reading the type of "Adult" books I enjoyed. In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin explains how, by embarking on an educational journey, people may easily prevent traumatic childhood events from affecting the course of their life. He stated we could all become masters of our own fate. Strangely, most people avoid reading any serious instructive books such as Franklin's tale about his life. They prefer literature which entertains, has predictable plots, and little food for thought. That is something to ponder. Wayne Douglas Weedon is no longer on Wattpad. However, several of his books are available at https://archive.org for free download in various formats. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Ensuring a future of caring for kids A

family with a 6-month-old child in hospital, a retiree who volunteers time sewing preemie baby blankets, and you – reading this right now – all have something in common. You understand the value of a child’s health. Since 1971, donors like you have contributed more than $150 million to Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba to help sick and injured kids get the care they need, right here at home. Community generosity, coupled with a great track record of fiscal responsibility, ensures ongoing improvement in healthcare. Improvements like Stefano Grande the purchase of Canada’s Healthy first Zeiss microscope, Living which enables pediatric neurosurgeons to see around corners in the brain and perform intricate brain surgery. Or building a new state-of-the art Children’s Heart Centre to ensure the smallest hearts get the best care. Or having more than 300 internationally renowned researchers focused on childhood disease right here in Manitoba at the Foundation’s research arm, Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. Meredith McArthur recognizes the importance of the Foundation in the excellence at HSC Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and in child health research - and its continued importance into the future. Meredith and her husband Brian are long-time donors. She has also volunteered with the Foundation and has met some of the families that the hospital helps. And she knows the Foundation staff are deeply committed to the cause because many of them have

Mitchell at age seven. had their own children or grandchildren need care at HSC Children’s. Because of all this, Meredith and Brian recently updated their wills to add a bequest to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Inc. and know this future gift will be used where the need is greatest at that time. I know people sometimes get uncomfortable talking about wills or bequests, but it’s a great way to help your loved ones understand what is important

to you, and enables you to have an impact, long into the future. Meredith enthusiastically encourages people to consider it: “Oh, please do it!” she recently told us. “The hospital strives daily to provide excellent healthcare and is making real advances in medicine through ongoing research. Their goal is to have all children well, happy and on the road to becoming healthy, functioning adults. Legacy gifts will make that happen.” Jillian Renaud knows how important these gifts are, and appreciates donors like Meredith and Brian who look into the future and recognize the need to continue caring for kids. At six months old, Jillian’s son Mitchell had a minor fall that ended up with a trip by ambulance to HSC Children’s Emergency. There, a CT scan showed the largest epidural hematoma doctors had ever seen in a baby. Mitchell needed urgent, lifesaving neurosurgery for the brain bleed and a blood transfusion. Jillian says, “The doctors that saved Mitchell are our forever heroes… these people are truly in the right role to be so compassionate.” She is thankful for the care she received and hopes any other families who need care, when they least expect it, will have it available to them to ensure recoveries are possible. You can ensure the future of caring for kids by stating your commitment to the cause and making the Foundation a beneficiary of a bequest in your will or of other assets like insurance policies. It is simple statement but a powerful one. In fact, your planned legacy gift can be your most powerful way to ensure better futures for children. To learn more about leaving a bequest or legacy gift to Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, call Courtney Nodrick 204-894-9043 or email cnodrick@goodbear.ca, or speak with your financial advisor. Stefano Grande is the president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

Helicobacter pylori – Why it can be a problem

igh levels of helicobacter pylori nutrient deficiencies that result from low (H. pylori), a gastric (stomach) stomach acid can be contributing factors to nearly every conceivable bacteria, are ofhealth problem, from bone ten associated with GERD loss to depression, not just (heartburn), as well as the obvious symptoms of stomach ulcers and stomacid reflux, gas, or bloatach cancer, and research is ing. now finding a strong link Everyone has H. pylori between H. pylori and bacteria in their stomach GERD. Fortunately, there and gastrointestinal tract, are dietary choices we can but when you have the make to help maintain proper high acidity gastric healthy digestion and preenvironment, which in a vent more serious health healthy person should vary problems. from a pH of 3 to as low As we age, most of us as a pH of 1 (the lower produce less stomach acid. Nathan Zassman the number, the higher the Low stomach acid (also Natural Health acidity), bacteria is well called hydrochloric acid, controlled and has diffior gastric acid) is the major cause of a wide range of health con- culty surviving. The normal method of testing for H. ditions because low stomach acid levels result in insufficient digestion of protein pylori is a breath test, where you exhale and carbohydrates. This impairs absorp- into a Mylar bag after taking a pill that tion of minerals and other vital nutrients reacts with the bacteria. The bag with the that our body requires. Over time, the exhaled air is sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine if you have H. pylori bacteria present in the stomach. If the test determines that you have H. pylori, western medicine uses a one-week treatment that combines a PPI (proton pump inhibitor which blocks the production of stomach acid) with two antibiotics, usually clarithromycin and amoxicillin, to cure it. There can be variations, using different PPIs or antibiotics. While this treatment can be successful at eradicating the bacteria, the use of PPIs and antibiotics can bring side effects, as the antibiotics not only eradicate the H. pylori, but also kill the good bacteria that are critical to the immune system and gastrointestinal health. To make things worse, by creating a low acid environment in the stomach, the PPIs (i.e. Prilosec, Zantac, Nexium) make it easier for the H. pylori to return. H. pylori has a much more difficult time surviving in a stomach that has normal (very low pH) stomach acid. In fact, bac16

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terial overgrowth, or sickness from ingested bacteria (like E. coli from foods) is more common in people who have hypochlorhydria (the technical term for low gastric acid). The problem with this approach to curing H. pylori, which is often not effective over time, is that H. pylori thrives in a low gastric acid environment. In fact, the common practice of over-prescribing antacids for heartburn provides the perfect environment for bacterial overgrowth in the stomach. Antacids and PPIs which block the production of stomach acid are in my belief among the most dangerous classifications of drugs. PPIs generally should not be prescribed for more than a three-month period, and initially, even the companies that produced this classification of drug recommended no more than six weeks of use, but some physicians routinely keep their patients on these drugs for years. Without sufficient stomach acid, you cannot break down and digest protein or ionize the minerals from food. As stomach acid is critical for the digestion of food and the absorption of minerals, drugs that stop the production of stomach acid can lead to long-term health problems due to deficiencies of protein and vital minerals that are cofactors in the production of critical nutrients. Vitamin B12 deficiencies are also common for users of PPIs. Physicians with traditional training often assume that the symptoms of heartburn (GERD, acid reflux) are caused by an excess of stomach acid. Medical schools are often subsidized by pharmaceutical companies, and this is how some doctors are trained – the most common approach is to treat the symptoms with a drug, rather than consider the cause of the symptoms. Based on the (often incorrect) assumption of excess stomach acid, acid-blocking PPI drugs like Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid and Zantac are frequently prescribed. Often, the reason people have acid reflux is

that the lower esophageal sphincter valve which normally only opens to let foods into the stomach opens to allow the high acid gastric contents of the stomach to travel back up to the esophagus. The stomach is designed to survive the low pH acidic environment where hydrochloric acid and enzymes help break down food and prepare it for absorption in the small intestine. The esophagus can be damaged if exposed to acids produced in the stomach. There can be many causes of acid reflux (GERD) including: • Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) • Excess fat in the abdominal area • Diet: Spicy foods, greasy foods, acidic foods, alcohol, eating late at night, or specific foods that can trigger GERD • Smoking • Lying down too quickly after a large meal • H. pylori In addition to avoiding some of the triggers, there are also foods and dietary supplements that can help. Manuka honey (the higher the UMF or MGO level the better) and supplements that use zinc carnosine (Pepzin GI) and mastic gum may be effective at reducing levels of H. pylori. In addition, Betaine HCL and pepsin supplements can be effective at increasing stomach acid. This approach is often a very good solution for reducing acid reflux as well. If you suffer from acid reflux, gastritis, IBS, or other stomach issues, I recommend Gastrazyme by Biotics Research. A blend of natural ingredients that enhance and support the digestive process, Gastrazyme has proven to be one of the most effective supplements for healthy digestion. I also recommend Living Alchemy Your Flora Professional probiotic, as IBS and other stomach-related issues are often associated with low levels of good bacteria. A quality probiotic can help nourish, restore, and support your digestive system. Nathan Zassman is the owner and president of Aviva Natural Health Solutions. May 2022

The detritus of COVID-19

hen was the last time you the groceries, not just the fruit and had a cold? When was vegetables but anything that came in the last time you had the a package as well. Good to be prudent but one would flu? I have asked those like to think there is a same questions to a lot limit to being careful as of people I know when learned months later as we invariably end up more information came talking about the curout. rent Covid-19 Novel It has been a very difCoronavirus situation ferent and difficult time and of course, all the for all of us. I rememvarious variants. ber learning a long time The last time I reago (most everything member coming down I have learned was “a with a cold was three long time ago”) that and a half years ago. the three most adaptI’m sure it’s much the Jim Ingebrigtsen able species to a major same with you and Is It Just Me... change in the world, your friends and famenvironmental or othily. We know the reason erwise, are rats, cockis simple. Most of us, the smart people, have been wear- roaches and humans. It wouldn’t ing masks, using sanitizer and wash- surprise me to learn that the rats and ing our hands a lot more than ever. cockroaches have not only adapted to Those have proven to be smart things whatever changes there have been in their world due to the virus(s), they to do. For a time and possibly still, some have probably thrived during these folks washed all their groceries once interesting times. (I avoid the word they got home from shopping. All of “unprecedented” even though it’s ap-

propriate, it’s overused.) Other issues have come to light as the result of how we have adapted. One of the first noticeable and annoying things are the masks littering sidewalks, parking lots and generally anywhere humans have been. Last year this also included rubber gloves showing up in the same places the masks did. Not many gloves now but, discarded masks are still there and even more so now that the snow and ice has disappeared revealing the evidence of what? Stupid people or ignorant people? Both words, stupid and ignorant, are adjectives but they mean different things. Simply put, someone who is ignorant is a person who lacks knowledge or understanding of something. As an example: “I am ignorant of all things pertaining to nuclear fusion”. Or, “I was initially ignorant of how important and effective the vaccine really is.” We have all been ignorant of various things at some point in our lives. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We know Albert Einstein was a genius

but would you ask him to help you build a house? He might have been ignorant about construction but, he wasn’t stupid. In most cases people who are ignorant in some area can learn how to become less ignorant. Ignorance can be fixed. Depending on how it is delivered, the word sounds worse than it really is. We just have to be careful how we use it. Stupid is altogether different. Stupid is about ones’ lack of intellectual capability or mental capacity. As an example: “I refused to wear a mask because I am stupid”. Or, “I’m so stupid I throw my mask on the ground after I leave the store. Or maybe: “After my dog does his business when I take him for a walk, I just leave it on the ground because I am both ignorant and stupid.” It’s too bad someone can’t fix Covid-19. And it’s too bad you can’t fix stupid. Jim was a writer-broadcaster, producer and performer on television and radio for 40 years. He is also a contributor to Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio. Find it at www.whatsupwinnipeg.ca

When planning your funeral service, remember to contact the cemetery in advance as well

ften, when a death occurs, the first telephone calls that are made are to family and friends to share the sad news. The next step frequently includes wondering what to do next or who to call. In many cases, the funeral provider of choice is the next person they call or perhaps a call is made to the family’s church or minister to seek guidance. There are no rules on who should be called Michael or when – that is truly the decision of the family and what meets their needs best at that time. It is not uncommon that there is a sense of urgency to start making plans for the funeral or celebration of life.

That is understandable however, not entirely necessary, as there are a great number of details to consider. What is crucial is to take the time necessary to make these plans and include all aspects of planning an event of this importance. Simply planning where the service will be held, who will lead it and on what day is not enough. Time after time, a call to the cemetery is overGibbens looked in the planning stages. Why is this important? Availability • Is your date and time available? • Does the cemetery have other families or special events that have

been planned on the same day you are planning? • Cemeteries have limited staff and equipment and scheduling is important so that they can accommodate all needs to the best of their ability and provide the highest level of service to every family. Weather • consider the time of year that you are planning your event as it may take the cemetery extra time to prepare for the service if there is snow to move or excessive water from the Spring melt. Verification, Documentation and Administration • Provide verification to the cemetery that you are the owner or authorized family representative who can instruct the grave or niche to be opened. • Check with your cemetery to see if they have a verification process to make sure that they open the correct

location BEFORE the day of the service. • check to be sure that all services have been arranged and paid for such as the Opening and Closing or the digging of the grave. Regulations • A part of your celebration may include the release of balloons, doves or butterflies, among other special events – check with the cemetery for any municipal or provincial restrictions that may be in place. In order to have the most meaningful and appropriate celebration ceremony, including the cemetery in the planning stages will help avoid unexpected surprises and the potential need to make changes, even after other plans have been made. Planning in advance and seeking the guidance of your funeral provider to discuss these and other details is always a helpful step.

ship five times and in 1968 George and fellow countryman Al Balding, who was the first Canadian to win a PGA Tour event in the United Sates, won the World Cup team title in Italy and brought the coveted trophy home. Other countries Knudsen brought the winning trophy home from include Puerto Rico, Panama and Australia. Knudsen also co-wrote a book titled The Natural Golf Swing with Lorne Rubenstein. Lorne was a golf journalist with the Globe and Mail for more

than thirty years. He wrote a total of 16 books about golf including one with Tiger Woods. Ben Hogan, who is considered one of the greatest players in golf history, once commented that George Knudsen had the sweetest swing on the PGA. That sweet swing helped him win eight PGA Tour victories and twenty-two other championships for a total of thirty professional wins. He retired in 1972 but went on to teach in the Toronto area. His methods have been adopted by the Canadian PGA. George Knudsen is a member of the Manitoba Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, and was awarded the Order of Canada (1988). He died of lung cancer in Toronto on 24 January 1989. He was fiftyone years old. His wife Shirley passed away in 2017. They are survived by their three sons. Jim Ingebrigtsen is a council member of the Manitoba Historical Society and submits the stories of Memorable Manitobans each month to Lifestyles 55. Visit MHS.mb.ca and discover more than 12,000 other notables in our archives.

The real “Sultan of Swing George Knudson (1937 - 1989) respectively. Knudsen won the ManiCanadian Professional Golfer toba Open in 1958, 1959 and 1960 eeing as how golf season has and the Ontario Open in 1960,1961, finally arrived we thought it 1971, 1976 and 1978. He was well would be a good on his way to the big idea to pay homage to leagues. the greatest golfer to Knudsen moved to come out of Manitoba, Toronto in 1958 seekever. He is considered ing more opportuniand revered by most evties in the world of golf ery golf sportscaster and and secured a job at the journalist as being one Oakdale Golf Club. It of the very best Canada was there he not only has produced. His name learned more about the is George Alfred Chrisgame technically but, tian Knudsen. even more important, George was born in also received encourageWinnipeg on June 28th, ment from the club to Memorable 1937 and attended help him become even Manitobans Bannatyne School as a more confident in his young boy. He became game. It was after that fascinated with the he was able to get finansport of golf at an earcial backing to try the PGA Tour. He ly age and was determined to do his turned professional in 1961 at the age best to be not just good but great at of 24. it. And of course, he did. He started He was now well on his way to the out playing at the St. Charles Golf big leagues. and Country Club. He won the ManiFrom 1961 and 1972, he won eight toba Junior Championships in 1954 tournaments on the PGA Tour. He and 1955 at 18 and 19 years of age won the Canadian PGA Champion-

May 2022

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People of the past when Manitoba still had its “moxie”

id you already know that… …A Manitoban named W.A. Murphy helped save Giant Canada geese from extinction? He was a wealthy Winnipeg grain trader and autumn goose hunter who decided to establish a small waterfowl sanctuary on his ranch at Marshy Point, near Lake Manitoba. His friend, a biologist and artist, Albert Hochbaum captured 11 wild goslings at Island Paru in Portage la Prairie and helped Murphy to establish them at his refuge. This was a job that demanded careful manSanja Rossi agement and hard work. Soon he faced difficulties Manitoba and frustrations such as Through Time predators, lack of nesting cover and changing water levels. For this reason, Murphy invited Ducks Unlimited to design dikes and water impoundments throughout the marsh. Eventually, this turned out to be a great project and soon the flock had multiplied to 100 birds. Murphy released them and in the fall, they migrated south to the lake next to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. While engaged in a routine tagging and banding operation on the lake, scientist Harold Hanson discovered that the average weight of these geese was 15 pounds, more than six pounds heavier than the other large geese on the pond. He was thrilled to learn that he had just identified the supposedly extinct Giant Canada geese! In time, those 11 goslings were built into a flock of 55,000 birds and Marshy Point has grown into the largest privately owned goose sanctuary in the world. …Manitoba doctor Bruce Chown developed the medicine that saved the lives of newborns across the world. He pioneered Rh treatments together with other Winnipeg scientists. Rh disease happens when Rh-negative woman and Rh-positive man conceive Rh-positive baby. Problems develop when the baby’s red blood cells trigger the mother’s immune system which recognizes the baby’s Rh-positive blood cells as invaders. The mother’s body produces antibodies to

Doctor Bruce Chown has been honored on a Canada Post Stamp. kill them, and the result is that the fetus loses too many blood cells and dies of anemia either before or shortly after birth. Dr. Chown first developed a transfusion treatment for the newborns and later for fetuses in the womb. Since this was a very risky procedure, in the year 1968, he developed a blood product called WinRho for those who were Rh-negative carrying Rh-positive babies. This medicine contains the antibodies of Rh-negative women. When given to Rh-negative pregnant women it will prevent them from developing antibodies that could kill babies. …Manitoba-born scientist James Peebles was awarded the Nobel prize in physics in 2019 for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology. His discoveries and his theories contributed to our modern understanding of the universe while he focused his work on understanding cosmic structure formation-the galaxies. Peebles was fascinated with science saying that one should become scientist because of the love of it but not for rewards. He gained his PhD in the group of Robert Dicke at Princeton University in New Jersey in 1962 when his theoretical framework started. The group was working on the theory that the universe was much smaller and denser in the past. Therefore, galaxies are expanding and evolving. The Princeton group designed an instrument to detect the radiation from this epoch.

In this experiment, the persistent background noise was detected. According to Peebles’ calculations, cosmic background radiation holds clues about the formation of the universe. His immense contribution to cosmic research, textbooks about dark matter, dark energy, galaxy evolution, etc. will educate future generations of cosmologists. …Manitoba agricultural scientist, Baldur Steffanson, made an incredible contribution to Canada and people around the world through his remarkable work in developing canola. Credited with being the “Father of Canola”, he won the prestigious Royal Bank Award for “outstanding achievements that contribute to human welfare and the common good”. It was just one of the numerous awards that Dr. Steffanson earned for his work. He was a professor at the University of Manitoba and plant researcher. Conducting his early research, in the 1950s, he created a variety of rapeseed oil with the goal to replace the soybean oil and palm oil Canada was importing. In its earliest form, rapeseed was grown for industrial purposes,and also contained erucic acid and glucosinolates, both of which were hazardous to human health and livestock. Steffanson collaborated with scientists, nutritionists, plant breeders and chemists, and by 1973 he registered a new plant called Tower with high quality of edible oil and low levels of erucic acid and glucosinolates. This is how rapeseed became canola. Progress is unstoppable. The world today rests on the achievements of the geniuses who were far ahead of their time. Without great scientific accomplishments, the world would look much worse. However, despite great innovations in the field of medicine, agriculture, physics and modernized technology, we still face pandemics, wars and crises. Continuous technological development has completely replaced spiritual growth. Today, everyone has smart phones and access to all kinds of information which are, dangerously, often deceiving or inaccurate, assisting certain individuals or groups to reach specific goals, or to shape people’s minds. Therefore, we have a hard time dealing with stress and complexes, difficulties accepting ourselves in the first place, and then the others. I greatly admire and deeply respect all tremendous scientific achievements, but is the world becoming a better and safer place to live?

Sri Lankan Seniors cultural New Year Senaka Samarasinghe

ri Lankan Seniors of Manitoba (SLSM) participated in their annual Sri Lankan New Year cultural celebration organized by Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba (SLAM) on April 23, 2022, at Panjab Cultural Centre. More than 300 attended. Sri Lankans who contributed valuable service to the community for a long time were invited to light the traditional oil lamp. This was the opening event of the cultural show. Two of the seven cultural proceedings were performed by SLSM. Objectives of the selection of these two events were: (1) to disseminate Sri Lankan culture among Canadian communities; (2) to trickle down Sri Lankan heritage through our younger generation; and (3) to create leadership among urban folks to gain independence from British colonial rulers. Organizers thoughtfully planned to select events from multiple age groups such as youth, five and below, and elders. A few participants decided to wear Sri Lankan traditional dresses: the Batik Sarong (male) and colorful Sarees (female). Rice and curry dinner was served just after the cultural show. The dance floor was opened as the last event and dancing went on till midnight. During this period, the majority of attendees made good use of the time as a fellowship gathering because they were confined to barracks for years due to the COVID pandemic. 18

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May 2022

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR. . . . . . You should consider having the following in place Will The preparation of a will may seem like a daunting task, however, it is essential to ensure that your property is disposed of according to your wishes upon your death. If you pass away without a valid will, the law states what is to happen to your estate. Power of Attorney A power of attorney is a document which appoints an individual to handle your affairs in the event you become mentally incapable of making your own decisions. Nothing prevents you from continuing to make your own decisions while you are still competent. A power of attorney is an extremely valuable document to have in place in case anything happens to you which affects your mental ability, such as a stroke, coma or dementia. Health Care Directive (Living Will) A health care directive, commonly called a living will, is a document which appoints an individual to make decisions with regard to your health care only, while you are alive but unable to express your decisions yourself. This document is distinct from a power of attorney and deals only with health care decisions such as whether life sustaining treatments, such as CPR or blood transfusion, should be continued or withdrawn.

Standard Fees* Last Will and Testament Power of Attorney Health Care Directive * plus GST and PST - Rates are per person.

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Seniors $200.00 $150.00 $ 50.00

Home and hospital visits are also available $250.00* (includes both meetings) *plus GST and PST TACIUM VINCENT & ASSOCIATES 206 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2H 1J3 DAVID G. VINCENT (204) 989-4236 www.taciumvincent.com

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