Lifestyles 55 2023 03 March

204-947-1807

The elastic brain of older people

The director of the George Washington University College of Medicine argues that the brain of an elderly person is much more plastic than is commonly believed. At this age, the interaction of the right and left hemispheres of the brain becomes harmonious, which expands our creative possibilities. That is why among people over 60 you can find many personalities who have just started their creative activities.

Of course, the brain is no longer as fast as it was in youth. However, it wins in flexibility. That is why, with age, we are more likely to make the right decisions and are less exposed to negative emotions. The peak of human intellectual activity occurs at about 70 years old, when the brain begins to work at full strength.

Over time, the amount of myelin in the brain increases, a substance that facilitates the rapid passage of signals between neurons. Due to this, intellectual abilities are increased by 300% compared to the average.

And the peak of active production of this substance falls on 60-80 years of age. Also interesting is the fact that after 60 years, a person can use 2 hemispheres at the same time. This allows you to solve much more

Professor Monchi Uri from the University of Montreal believes that the brain of an elderly person chooses the least energy-intensive path, cutting unnecessary and leaving only the right options for solving the

Potential to grow

New gardening show in Winnipeg connects audiences with experts

Lily lovers will love this

Leanne Dowd’s new book is the definitive work on Canadian lilies and the hybridizers!

Living Green is the latest and newest event hosted by the Red River Exhibition Association – most known for putting on the 10-day Red River Ex in June. With a focus on gardening, Living Green takes root in Red River Exhibition Place April 7-9, 2023.

Today’s fairs started as agricultural exhibitions. Livestock and horticultural displays and competitions advanced agricultural innovation. As an agricultural society, the Red River Exhibition Association continues to look for ways to deliver on that mandate while carrying out its core business of putting on events.

“As we evolve over time as an agricultural organization, we start looking at what is of interest to an urban audience,” explains Garth Rogerson, Red River Exhibition Association CEO. Gardening is one of those interests.

What is lovelier than a lily in midsummer? When all the other perennials are taking a rest, the lily perks up the garden with a burst of colour and charm. And at last, it appears that the dreaded lily beetle is also taking a rest. A parasitic wasp released here in 2015 has reduced the threat considerably.

Enter Leanne Dowd, Neepawa gardener, who grows thousands of lilies. It is safe to say that she has one of the largest collection of lilies in Canada. And many of them were bred by Manitoba lily breeders: Wilbert Ronald, Frank Skinner, Ieuan Evans have all contributed to the book with personal accounts.

Leanne’s greatest love is reserved for martagon lilies, also known as Turk’s cap lilies for the way they hang upside down on a stem. They are much loved by gardeners with shade trees because they do well in dappled shade with a little morning sun. They are also giants in the garden, growing as tall as six feet with as many as four dozen blossoms that continually emerge as the plant grows.

How can we save health care in Canada and Manitoba?

So how about the health care system in Manitoba and throughout Canada? Should it be saved? Can it be saved? If so, what needs to be done?

These are big questions that have been nagging Canadians for the past several decades and several elections have been won on the basis of hallway medicine and emergency waiting times, not to mention the political debate over private versus public health care.

We are constantly reminded by the NDP that the public system is sacrosanct, that any incursion of private practice is the death knell of universal care. But is it?

In truth, we currently have a public/private system. Think about it. At least 25% of health care delivery is private and that number grows if you count the fact that doctors are essentially private practitioners who are forced to bill the public purse instead of you. Many things are not covered by public health care. That is why we have private medical insurance plans, although not everyone is covered. And we have some stupid ways of handling that gap. For example, prescription drugs, are expensive, critical to life but not accessible to all. Some years ago, when the NDP were still in power, I had a very good salesperson who kept missing work, sometimes for a day or two, sometimes longer. I asked him what was happening, and his story made me very angry with the system.

The fellow had been working for another firm until he had a heart attack in the fall of the year before he came to me. His earnings had been reasonably high, certainly more than the benchmark $30,000 that put him in the predicament he was in at the time. Hospitalized for some time, he lost his job, so by the time he came to work for me he was in trouble because he couldn’t afford the expensive medications that kept him alive. Why? Because he had earned too much the previous year and the deductible for drugs on the government plan was tied to his earnings of the previous year. He could not come up with the $1,500 required to be spent before he qualified.

His answer was to go to the hospital every time he ran out of meds. They would keep for observation for a day or two and send him home with a limited supply of pills. Looking into this and writing about it at the time, we discovered that there was a program to bridge this gap – it is financed through Manitoba Hydro of all things. Your monthly Pharmacare bills must be at least 20% of your monthly income and the money is withdrawn automatically from your bank account.

This shows the kind of limited thinking that has gone into bolstering the system, band aiding here and there with poorly engineered strategies that always break down and in so doing continue to build a heap of bureaucratic detritus that is overwhelming the system.

Currently, we have a knowledgeable and committed health care minister, Audrey Gordon, who understands the system and continues to probe at the base levels to see what can be done to fix it. She recognizes the patchwork of fixes that are no longer working, and she is much more forgiving than I would be. And I am not convinced that she is being supported by all the bureaucrats in the system who should be supporting her reforms. But that is another article.

What I want to examine here is what can be or must be done from a high level perspective to deal with a benefit all Canadians would like to be able to rely on and for which, by the way, we all pay for through the nose.

Let us start with looking at the facts:

1. Provinces spend between 30% and 40% of their total budget on health care. This varies according to size of the province. Manitoba, with a lower GDP, is at the lower end. The Feds, on the other hand, spend only 12.2% of the total GDP on health care. (2022 figures but the increase with the recent deal is about 2%).

2. 25% of all healthcare expenditures are out-of-pocket costs paid for by individuals to private health insurance to cover private health services for everything from prescription drugs to dental care, eye care, long term care and in-home care. That is just a fraction of the procedures paid by individuals.

3. Nationally, hospitals on average eat up just over 24% of the total health care costs of the spending. In Manitoba that amount is 39.7%.

4. Nationally, docs get 13.6% of the budget on average. In Manitoba, docs get 24.4%. So, we begin to see that there is an imbalance in Manitoba when it comes to health expenditures. We spend more of our budget on hospitals and physicians than do other jurisdictions, but we are not seeing the benefits. No matter how you parse the numbers, it is clear that we already have a public/private system in Canada. According to “Healthy Debate”, a journal on healthcare in Canada, “Privatization, in numerous forms, is part of Canada health care. Private health care has been described as “anything beyond what the public system will pay for.” For example, if you’re in hospital, public insurance will pay for the cost of your bed in a shared room, but if you have private insurance, or want to pay out of pocket, you can upgrade to a private room, for a price.

“Private clinics have also opened in many provinces across Canada, offering services such as imaging, diagnostic tests and low risk surgeries, for a fee. Another significant area of private spending is on outpatient prescription drugs. Although some patients are covered by provincial governments, many are not. They pay for medications through private insurance, out of pocket payments, or a combination of the two.”

Across Canada, the private system fills about 30% of our needs. We pay out of pocket or buy private health insurance to cover this, often through our workplace and occasionally, privately.

So how do private/public systems work when that fact is understood and exploited? Does the private system drain away health care providers from the public system? Not according to Australian experience. A study by the Australian Human Resources for Health reported, “Physicians prefer to work in the public sector, though the value of working in the public sector is very small, adding only 0.14% to their annual earnings to work an additional hour per week. Those with relatively low earnings prefer public sector work and those with high earnings prefer private sector work, though these effects are small.”

In examining the outcome of having a public/private system where physicians can work in public or private medicine or a combination of both, the report found that “48% of medical specialists combined public and private sector work, 19% worked in the private sector only, and 33% worked in the public sector only.” Those that worked only in the public sector tended to be young international students. Public/private combinations work and are already part of our health system. They should be studies with an open mind to find out the best way to deploy better care for our community.

Health Care in other jurisdictions

Excerpted from News, Medical and Life, “Health care systems around the world” by Dr. Liji Thomas, MD

The UK National Health Service provides free healthcare for all and higher life expectancy than in the USA, at half the cost. Patient satisfaction is relatively high, at 61%, compared to 29% in the US.

The UK has public, private profit and non-profit hospitals. The first type is operated as hospital trusts or foundation trusts, in three tiers: community hospitals, district hospitals, and regional-level hospitals. Dedicated hospitals offer specialized treatment.

Patients may opt for supplemental private insurance, to get services not supplied within the public health service, or to see doctors not employed by this service. Patients in the NHS can choose a hospital and specialist. Currently, 12% of the population also opts for private health insur-

ance, mainly to avoid the waiting period for elective care, to have a choice of specialists, and better facilities.

France, cited by some as having among the best healthcare systems in the world, has a significant private healthcare system as well as statutory health insurance, offering a wide choice of coverage.

In Switzerland and the Netherlands, health insurance is mandatory and provided exclusively by private providers. The government subsidizes the premiums through taxes, making it possible for even low-earning citizens to afford health insurance. All insurers are legally required to accept any applicant.

China has almost universal publicly funded medical insurance, with urban employees enrolled in employment-based programs. Others enroll voluntarily, for basic subsidized medical insurance. Comprehensive healthcare

5 ‘Health Care’ u

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u Potential to grow with Living Green

A 2021 survey by Dalhousie University and Angus Reid shows gardening has never been more popular in Canada. People of all ages got into gardening over the last two years, and 85% of Canada’s new gardeners live in cities.

Connecting the urban audience of Winnipeg with gardening experts seemed like a natural fit for the Red River Exhibition Association.

The show’s format offers guests the chance to connect with and buy directly from exhibitors like T & T Seeds, the

Manitoba-based company known for its seed catalogue.

“We’re well known across Canada, so we’re excited to have the opportunity to get our name out locally and be more connected with the community here,” said T & T Seeds marketing manager, Stephanie Guerra.

Living Green’s speaker series will provide opportunities to learn from experts, including the team from T & T Seeds. Guerra says they’re happy to answer questions.

Dream, Dream, Dream

“Dream, dream, dream, dream, All we have to do is dream.” Ah, the beautiful harmonies of Phil and Don Everly sounded so sweet off the needle of my retrolooking record player on the final weekend of February. I was dreaming of green grass bursting through snowmelt and the geese returning on their northerly flights. I also was dreaming of the completion of the expanded Conservatory at the International Peace Garden. The dream of spring is tantalizingly close, like the dream of a truer home for one of the world’s most diverse and unique living collections.

“The number one question we get asked is ‘what should I grow’,” she explains. “It can be difficult for new gardeners to get information about what’s best to grow here in Manitoba. When someone asks what the best tomato is to grow on the Prairies, we take that extra step to help guide those new gardeners.”

With the addition of a seed swap, Living Green will also encourage growth and connection in the gardening community. Guests can connect with groups

like the Manitoba Master Gardeners Association.

“You can feel the passion,” Rogerson says of Winnipeg’s gardening community. “Living Green is an opportunity to share that passion. This show is for anyone with an interest in gardening and living a greener lifestyle.”

Living Green runs April 7 (12-7 pm), 8 (12-7 pm) and 9 (12-5 pm) at Red River Exhibition Place in Winnipeg. Tickets are $10 and are available online at redriverex. com or at the door.

Tim Chapman

The Don Vitko Collection of cacti and succulents will reopen officially Dec. 9, but substantial completion of the many systems and supporting structures is slated for completion this month. It already feels like we are in the REM cycle as we walk through the new walkways and massive opening from the familiar solarium into the newly expanded bay.

The topography through the new walkways will take the visitors on an incredible tour of cacti and succulents from all over the world. The views are many and the vantage points will keep our eyes darting high and low. Taller, columnar cacti will tower over visitors from both sides as shorter, more colorful succulents adorn the raised beds. The center of the beds will have large

agaves and aloes eager to anchor the diverse array of spiny and prickly plants.

The seating nooks that punctuate the curvature of the concrete walls are starting to open their warm embrace to future visitors. The seating will allow for much more relaxation as folks make their way through the new landscape. More opportunities to breathe, read, converse and cherish the beauty and serenity that plants can provide us year-round.

There is much work yet to be done by our dedicated staff. The plants will take a few months to root and acclimate to their new spots in the sun. As the coming summer stretches on, we hope to begin soft open-

Where to invest your money, right now

Note: This is an opinion piece and should not be taken as investment advice, please refer to an investment advisor for making investment decisions suitable to you.

“Dr. Doom”, NYU Economist Dr. Nouriel Roubini, is calling for the world’s economic collapse, again. He’s been half right/half wrong about his calls – right direction, wrong velocity. This time, his thinking goes to the indebtedness of nations, calling it a “debt trap”, which is that governments will be forced to make major cuts to programs and that some nations will simply be unable to meet their debt obligations. He’s a bit late to the party as some countries have already defaulted; Ghana, Sri Lanka, and Russia have already defaulted in 2022. Many more countries are teetering on the edge. Pakistan, a nuclear power, is said to have one month’s worth of FOREX reserves needed for debt payments, after that, they may have to raid citizens’ bank accounts with a special tax and likely get more money from the IMF (the 24th time in 75 years). Of great

concern is that when a country default many “safe” havens where your advisor tells you to place money (largely because they HAVE to due to a highly restrictive regulatory environment) will actually lose value during these events, as many investors have exposure to global bond funds or bond exchangetraded funds (ETFs) that will start losing value.

Bonds will lose (more) money this year. We know this. Most economists, as I’ve detailed in my previous article, are projecting a “soft” or “hard” landing (meaning a slight drop or a big drop in the markets and economy in general). Few are saying there will be upside, and to be fair, the US consumer somehow, someway, often finds enough money to spend America out of recession. I think this money will likely appear from a record large portion of the economy’s Black Market, sadly. They will be the first to buy homes and other assets that will drop in value this year (and there will be a big drop).

So, where do you go in the meantime? For the next few months, short term guaranteed investments that

Christmas get together

Senaka Samarasinghe

Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba (SLSM) have an annual tradition celebrating Christmas. Christian members took the initiative to organize a Christmas Get together this year on February 20. Due to unavoidable cir-

ings and tours, but keep an eye on our website and social media for the latest on progress and availability. A sneak peek will be worth it even as you mark early December for the grand opening, which will include Santa Claus and other holiday festivities. Until then, keep dreaming!

Tim Chapman is the CEO at the International Peace Garden on the border of Manitoba and North Dakota. The Garden is open year-round and grooming ski trails for the first time this winter. Rent one of our cabins and enjoy a winter weekend that only the forest of the Turtle Mountains can provide.

will pay slightly more than your broker fees, is one place. Another, if you have the stomach, is to ride good value commodity stocks in developed commodity-based countries. Again – go to your advisor for which specific stocks or funds to buy. Just make sure you cover sectors in energy/energy infrastructure, agriculture/fertilizers, and metals; think Teck Cominco, Uranium Stocks, and rare earth. Pepper this with Canadian banks and insurance companies (the majors only, folks). Stay away from US dollar investments – there’s a lot of risk in USD with the potential for Saudi Arabia to accept other currencies for its oil. How much should you invest in the markets? I’d be AT LEAST 1/3 cash, if not 2/3 cash (short term guaranteed investments laddered three months to one year, and not more than $100,000 per a GIC). I’d split another one to two thirds into the areas mentioned above – again, suitability is everything, so consult a professional to ensure you’re investing as per your own plan, risk tolerance, and stage in life. Wait three to six months, or check in with me and reevaluate.

Stay positive, it’s going to be a very tough year!

Romel Dhalla is the president of the Dhalla Advisor Corporation and can be reached at (204) 509-1020.

cumstances, they were unable to do this during the Christmas Season.

Nearly 40 members gathered for the ceremony. The organizing committee scheduled Christmas carols, a few indoor games and a gift for each participant. Further, the committee arranged a grand lunch as well.

At the end of the event all participants posed for a group photo.

Romel Dhalla On The Money

Women’s Heart Health

The Heart and Stroke Foundation just released a spotlight report called: System Failure: Healthcare Inequities. This report outlines how healthcare continues to leave women’s heart and brain health behind.

It outlines the progress that has been made, but also highlights how our system continues to fail women and how gaps in awareness, research, diagnosis and care threaten their heart and brain health.

“Women tend to delay presenting. They are likely to say, “I’ll fix the kids’ breakfast and then go to the hospital.”

– Dr. Padma Kaul, Heart & Stroke Researcher

• ½ of women who experience a heart attack have their symptoms go unrecognized.

• Risk of heart disease and stroke increases after menopause.

• Women who experience a heart attack are less likely than men to receive the treatments and medications they need or get them in a timely way.

make it even more difficult to get the medical attention needed.

Women also face more challenges advocating for themselves. Men and women typically have different communication styles. And research shows that men’s voices are considered more authoritative. As one woman with heart failure told us in a focus group, she always brings her son to her appointments because her doctor pays more attention when he speaks.

Hon. Myrna Driedger Broadway Journal

According to this report, heart disease and stroke claimed the lives of 32,271 women in Canada in 2019. That is one woman’s life every 16 minutes. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation:

• National polling data found that nearly 40% of people in Canada do not realize that heart and strokes are the leading cause of premature death in women.

• Women’s heart disease tends to appear in the smaller blood vessels of the heart rather than the major coronary arteries. This means that their symptoms might not fit the classic textbook picture of heart disease. Women are more likely to experience chest discomfort (rather than a crushing pain), shortness of breath, fatigue, indigestion and nausea, back or neck pain.

• 2/3 of heart disease and stroke clinical research has focused on men.

• #1 cause of premature death in women in Canada is heart disease and stroke.

• Women are still more likely than men to die in the year following a heart attack.

• Women who experience STEM or NSTEMI –two of the three main types of heart attacks – are more likely than men to die or develop heart failure in the subsequent five years.

• Women who experience stroke are at higher risk of dying than men – and if they survive, their outcomes are worse.

• The rates of many heart conditions and stroke are increasing among younger women in Canada, and the number of women in Canada living with the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as hypertension and diabetes, is increasing.

Excerpt from the report: Traditional gender roles and expectations create barriers to care.

Barriers to care go beyond physiological differences between men and women. Women tend to have more caregiving responsibilities and to prioritize the health needs of the family members over their own. That means a woman may prioritize caring for a child or taking an elderly parent to a medical appointment before seeking help for herself. Factors like low income and lack of access to child care can

Minister Johnson’s message

The new plan for Seniors is rolled out by Minister

Dear Friends, It has now been just over one year since I was sworn in as the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. I remain honoured that Premier Stefanson selected me for this role – the first of its kind in Manitoba. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as minister, learning and addressing the needs of Manitoba seniors.

Manitoba, A Great Place to Age: Provincial Seniors Strategy, is a guide to follow as our government addresses the challenges faced by some older adults, their families and caregivers, to support all Manitobans in their aging journeys, and to value the significant contributions older adults have made and continue to make in our province.

The seniors strategy framework categorizes numerous action-oriented initiatives across seven strategic focus areas:

• safe, inclusive, accessible communities;

• navigation;

When it comes to follow-up care, women are less likely to participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs than men and are less likely to stay in the program once enrolled. This puts them at a disadvantage for making the best recovery possible. Common barriers include lower incomes, family responsibilities and the lower likelihood of physician referrals.” Excerpt from the report: Awareness: More work to do.

Women can’t receive timely diagnosis and care if they – or the people around them – don’t recognize they need help. That’s why it is crucial to increase public awareness about the prevention of heart disease and stroke in women and the specific risks and symptoms they face, on top of the “traditional” factors.

Public campaigns have improved awareness. However, a large proportion of people in Canada remain unaware of the disease burden and the inequities faced by women when it comes to heart disease and stroke – or the signs and risk factors unique to women. Educating healthcare workers is just as crucial.”

Thank you to the Heart & Stroke Foundation for prioritizing women’s heart health. There is much more work to be done.

The full report can be found on their website. www.heartandstroke.ca

Hon. Myrna Driedger is MLA for Roblin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

port 1,200 seniors in maintaining their independence in the community.

• Expanding palliative care services with a $1.3 million in Southern Health-Santé Sud, that will enhance access to palliative care approach to care for people affected by life-limiting illness at home.

• Supporting the Rainbow Resource Centre’s Over the Rainbow (OTR) program with $300,000 over three years as they aim to reduce social isolation among 2SLGBTQ+ seniors.

Hon. Scott Johnson Minister’s Message

I have made it an utmost priority to initiate, develop, and implement a Seniors Strategy which will deliver concrete results and change for Manitoba’s seniors. With the help of my incredible colleagues in government, I am honoured to say that we officially launched the Seniors Strategy on February 22 at an event at the Manitoba Legislature.

• high-quality services;

• financial security;

• reducing ageism and ableism;

• Indigenous engagement and co-design; and

• collaboration and accountability.

With the release of the strategy, I was pleased to announce the first of many initiatives that will support more Manitobans at home and in the community to live fulfilling and empowered lives:

• Expanding the Self and Family Managed Care (SFMC) program, with a $12.6 million increase in funding, which offers the flexibility and autonomy to directly arrange the home care services that sup-

• Accelerating Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s ability to modify, renovate or rehabilitate existing housing for older Manitobans with an investment of $450,000 which will help seniors stay in their homes longer.

Further initiatives in line with the seven strategic focus areas will be announced within the coming weeks. Stay tuned for some more good news.

This new seniors strategy maps out a plan to support older Manitobans by filling gaps in services, making it easier to navigate services and supports, finding affordable options, supporting unpaid caregivers, and reducing ageism and ableism.

Scott Johnston is the Minister of Seniors and Long Term Care.

Hon. Kevin Klein still fighting for Winnipeg though Kirkfield Park

After a few weeks of painting, cleaning, and putting furniture together, I am excited to announce our community office is open.

The community office is important because we work for you. I would like to hear from you if you have a concern or question or want to discuss solutions. The more I listen, the better I will represent our Kirkfield Park community.

The community office is also a place to celebrate the people of Kirkfield Park. Even though the doors are open, we are missing your

personal touch. We are asking teachers and artists to help us showcase your talents. We need artwork to hang on the walls.

We also ask people to use the community office as a "Book Exchange" location. Please bring books you no longer need. We will have them in the office for others to select from and trade.

Finally, if you are a community sports team, church, social group, school or small Kirkfield Park business, please send us your community notices. We will post them for the community to see, and I will put them on my website and

social media to help spread the word.

I have begun hosting coffee and conversations with community groups and will announce town halls on my website shortly. The town halls will allow me to listen to your concerns and priorities. They are a great opportunity to hear what you'd like me to take back to the Premier and our government."

We are also accepting applications for the first Kirkfield Park Youth Advisory Board and a Senior Advisory Board. Each group will have five community members. The advisory groups will each meet monthly to discuss current issues in the community and province. I want to hear our residents' issues, questions, and concerns. It will make me a better representative for our community.

The youth council is open to Kirk-

field Park residents aged 16 to 24, and the Seniors advisory council is for those over 60. If you are interested in participating, please submit a brief email to Kevin@kevinklein.ca, outlining why you want to be engaged and what you hope to bring to the advisory group. Only five people will be selected for each of the advisory boards.

The community office is at 3015 Portage Avenue, the phone is 202888-2211, and my email is kevin@ kevinklein.ca for all things Kirkfield Park.

Kevin publishes video highlights from time to time. Go to Facebook and search Kevin Klein Politician OR kevinklein.ca on the web.

The Hon. Kevin Klein is the MLA for Kirkfield Park and Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Hon. Kevin Klein From the Legislature

The elastic brain of older people

problem. A study was conducted in which different age groups took part. Young people were confused a lot when passing the tests, while those over 60 made the right decisions.

Now let’s look at the features of the brain at the age of 60-80. They are really rosy.

Features of the old brain

1. The neurons of the brain do not die off, as everyone around them says. Connections between them simply disappear if a person does not engage in mental work.

2. Absent-mindedness and forgetfulness appear due to an overabundance of information. Therefore, you do not need to focus your whole life on unnecessary trifles.

3. Beginning at the age of 60, a person, when making decisions, uses not one hemisphere at the same time, like young people, but both.

4. Conclusion: if a person leads a healthy lifestyle,

moves, has a feasible physical activity and has full mental activity, intellectual abilities DO NOT decrease with age, but only GROW, reaching a peak by the age of 80-90 years.

So don’t be afraid of old age. Strive to develop intellectually. Learn new crafts, make music, learn to play musical instruments, paint pictures! Dance! Take an interest in life, meet and communicate with friends, make plans for the future, travel as best you can. Don’t forget to go to shops, cafes, concerts. Do not isolate yourself as it is destructive for any person. Live with the thought: “all the good things are still ahead of me!”

A large study in the United States found that:

• The most productive age of a person is from 60 to 70 years;

• The 2nd most productive human stage is the age from 70 to 80 years old;

• 3rd most productive stage is 50 and 60 years old.

Before that, the person has not yet reached his peak.

• The average age of the Nobel Prize laureates is 62;

• The average age of the presidents of the 100 largest companies in the world is 63 years;

• The average age of pastors in the 100 largest churches in the United States is 71;

• The average age of dads is 76 years.

This confirms that a person’s best and most productive years are between 60 and 80 years of age.

This study was published by a team of doctors and psychologists in the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.

They found that at 60 you reach the peak of your emotional and mental potential, and this continues until you are 80.

Therefore, if you are 60, 70 or 80 years old, you are at the best level of your life.

SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine.

u Health Care in other jurisdictions

Continued from page 2

is covered, but deductibles and copayments apply. There is also a ceiling on reimbursement.

For-profit private insurance is also available for services not covered by public insurance. Patients share costs for physician visits, inpatient care and prescription drugs, which are uncapped.

China spends about 6.6% of its GDP on healthcare, with 28% being funded by central and local governments, 28% out-of-pocket, and 44% by public or private insurance, and social health donations. These form part of a medical assistance program for the poor.

Australia has a tax-funded universal free public health insurance program. All citizens get free care for public and many physician services and drugs at

public hospitals.

About 50% of Australian citizens also take out private insurance to pay for private hospital care or dental care. This is encouraged by the government, and high-income families pay a tax penalty for not buying private insurance.

The total expenditure on healthcare is about 10% of GDP, with 67% being from the public sector. It is jointly run by federal, state and territorial governments, and is among the best in the world.

Conclusion

There is no perfect system, but the top runners (including Taiwan Denmark, and South Korea) all have one thing in common – they are a combination of public and private insurance and care.

Helping pets find a forever home

Before the House of Commons rose at the end of last year, I had the pleasure of joining the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter at the Grand Opening of their new location on Portage Avenue here in Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley.

The work that Carla Martinelli-Irvine and her team do at this shelter is truly vital and heartwarming.

This organization has rescued more than 10,000 animals that find themselves without a place to call home. The Pet Rescue Shelter takes these animals in, gives them medical treatment, and ensures that they have a place to stay before they eventually find their new home.

As a non-profit organization, the Pet Rescue Shelter is used to stretching a dollar and budgeting the donations that they receive. This is what led the shelter to come up with a novel donation model: microdonors. Instead of relying on a few people making large donations, the Pet Rescue Shelter is funded by many people making small donations.

M.P. Marty Morantz

It’s complicated

Want to know how doctors are paid in Manitoba? Check out this 147-page payment schedule, then ask yourself, what is wrong with the system.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/documents/physmanual.pdf

As for administrative burden, doctors say up to 70 percent of their time in seeing a patient is taken up with administration. Many of the questions on patient care forms are redundant or

unnecessary. For example, docs are required to re-submit info every year for folks who will need the same treatment for the rest of their lives. They say if this work was reduced, they would have much more time to actually deal with caring for patients.

In Manitoba, this is being taken seriously and the government is working with Doctors Manitoba to set up a mixed experience task force that will look for ways to reduce paper burden. The report is to be released this year.

Most importantly, the Pet Rescue Shelter is Manitoba’s very first NoKill animal shelter. They understand that our furry friends should never be euthanized simply because they find themselves without an owner.

When I last spoke with Carla, she expressed how thrilled the employees of the Pet Rescue Shelter were to be in their new location and how grateful they were for the community support that they have received.

She mentioned that “everybody likes the idea of a No-Kill shelter, but it takes a lot of community support to keep a place like this up and running. We don’t receive any government support.”

For only $3 a month, people from across Manitoba can help this amazing organization save more animals.

To Carla and her entire team, thank you so much for the work that you do, and I wish you all continued success in helping Manitoba’s pets find a forever home.

Marty Morantz is MP for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley.

The magic of CHTV for kids in hospital

For many of us, watching TV is an escape or a fun way to unwind after a long day. For sick and injured kids at HSC Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Television (CHTV) is so much more.

I want you to imagine you’ve been in the same room for days on end, or maybe even months. Or that you’re going to an unfamiliar place for the first time because you need medical treatment. Where do you turn for support, distraction, or a sense of belonging? CHTV provides all that for kids at HSC Children’s, whether they’re stopping by for an hour-long appointment or staying for a long time.

CHTV is a special channel that broadcasts to every child’s room at HSC Children’s and in every clinic and waiting room. The content is made for all ages and includes movies and shows that represent diverse groups so everyone can see themselves on screen. CHTV also has an engaging live show every weekday at 1:00 pm called The Good Day Show, hosted by the hardest working sock puppet in town: Noname.

He’s a reliable, consistent friend who they can see at the same time every day, when other things in their environment are less predictable.”

On The Good Day Show Child Life specialists lead crafts, play bingo, celebrate holidays, chat with special guests – like Winnipeg Blue Bomber Adam Bighill who shared a story during I Love to Read Month – and much more. They also invite patients to come on the show which gives kids an opportunity to be creative, alleviate boredom, and interact with their peers.

Stefano Grande Healthy Living

Noname is a nine-year-old character who comes to life on The Good Day Show with the help of Child Life specialists, who are experts in child development and helping kids cope with life in hospital.

“CHTV and The Good Day Show specifically give kids in hospital a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar setting,” says Child Life specialist, Maria Soroka. “They can count on Noname to say hi to them every weekday.

This means the world to children like Cain, who spent countless days in hospital after being diagnosed with bone cancer. Cain needed intensive treatment including chemotherapy and surgery, and his family says appearing on CHTV’s The Good Day Show was deeply meaningful.

“This was everything to Cain. It gave him something to look forward to each day, and it brought joy into his stays at the hospital,” says Cain’s mom, Danica. “It was also a wonderful distraction. When he was on the show it was like he was himself again, playing and using his imagination to take a break from treatment and the pain he was often in.”

Now Cain is in remission and gives back by fundraising for other kids who need the hospital. His community of Minnedosa, Manitoba rallied together make a $5,000 gift for Child Life programming, like CHTV.

Child Life programming also includes music therapy, a library program, and a playroom with a mini hospital environment where kids can learn about what they will

experience during treatments and procedures. March is Child Life month, and we’re celebrating the many ways Child Life programs support families at HSC Children’s. Child Life programming is possible thanks entirely to generous donors of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and through community events like the Children’s Hospital Book Market coming up on April 21-22, 2023 at St. Vital Centre. Learn more at goodbear.ca/Events.

We’re so grateful for #KidsHelpingKids and #CommunityChampions, like Cain, who dedicate their gifts to helping make sure kids in hospital get a chance just to be kids.

Donate today to #GiveBetterFutures for sick and injured kids in your community at goodbear.ca

Stefano Grande is the president and CEO of Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

Natural solutions for hypertension

Affecting almost 1 in 4 Canadian adults, hypertension (the medical term for high blood pressure) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. It affects about 1 billion people worldwide and results in over 7 million deaths per year. In the USA, every 37 seconds someone dies of cardiovascular disease and about 700,000 people have a stroke each year (with over 400 deaths each day). Fortunately, many cases of cardiovascular disease are preventable, and there are dietary and lifestyle changes we can implement that can help resolve this common condition naturally.

The traditional medical approach to reducing blood pressure is to recommend lifestyle modifications including exercise, weight loss (if required), healthier food choices like the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), restricting salt intake, and prescribing a suite of drugs, which may include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics — sometimes called the ABCDs. Unfortunately, these drugs can produce adverse effects including insomnia, headaches, impotence, kidney failure, weight gain, joint disorders, diarrhea, weakness, and low energy among many others. Because of these serious and disruptive side effects, many patients don’t take these drugs as prescribed.

A blood pressure reading is given in

millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), with two numbers. The upper number indicates the arterial pressure when the heart beats (the systolic phase); and the lower number when the heart is at rest, between beats (the diastolic phase, when the heart fills with blood and absorbs oxygen). A good, healthy blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mm Hg. Ideally, the diastolic blood pressure reading should be lower than 80; a reading between 80 and 89 is often considered normal, but it’s not optimal, and an elevated diastolic level can lead to a higher systolic level.

I received a call from a woman who was seeking a natural approach to help lower her blood pressure. Jane (not her real name) is 55 and had until recently been in perfect health all her life. But in the previous two weeks, she had been hospitalized twice for a very rapid pulse and had a systolic blood pressure reading of 196. While in the hospital she had a chest X-ray and a thorough checkup, including blood work. Other than an elevated diastolic blood pressure reading over 90, everything seemed normal. The medical term for this condition is “isolated diastolic hypertension.”

The holistic approach to any health concern starts with trying to find the cause, rather than dealing with the symptoms. I learned that Jane leads a very healthy lifestyle. She’s active, doesn’t smoke or drink, isn’t overweight, and

drinks about four cups of coffee per week. Her diet is focused on plant foods and lean meats and is better than most of the clients that come to see me. She also has a lovely, warm, engaging personality, and made it clear that she was eager to try my approach.

The largest organ in the body, the endothelium is the lining of our arteries and blood vessels; it plays a critical role in regulating blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular disease. Poor endothelial function is associated with plaque buildup and reduced blood flow to our organs, cells, and tissues. Nitric Oxide (NO) is a gas produced by the endothelium, and is the most important molecule for reducing blood pressure and increasing blood flow. During our meeting, we discussed the importance of boosting nitric oxide levels, which decrease after the age of 40. The key factor in improving endothelial function is aerobic exercise, however increasing the amount of foods high in nitrates is also important, as they’re converted to nitric oxide in the body.

I recommended Jane take Neo40, a supplement clinically proven to increase nitric oxide production, along with a concentrated super green juice powder that includes probiotics, mushroom extracts, micro-algae, vegetables, and fruits. I also suggested a powdered blend of different types of magnesium (Magnesium Synergy) which also contains zinc and potassium (critical for maintaining healthy blood pressure). I recommended she take aged garlic capsules, beet juice, curcumin, olive leaf complex, black seed oil, omega-3, a comprehensive multivitamin, and two strong cups of hibiscus tea per day. Two published studies found that hibiscus tea and olive leaf extract were as effective as the commonly-prescribed ACE inhibitor drug captopril.

As my approach is to provide solid research to support my recommendations, I gave Jane a selection of well-referenced studies on a variety of complementary dietary supplements including Pycnogenol, coenzyme Q10, black seed oil, olive leaf extract, and grape seed extract.

I also recommended using sesame oil as her primary oil for cooking. Sesame oil contains sesamin, sesamol, and vitamin E, compounds confirmed in studies to help lower blood pressure.

I stressed the importance of fasting

for two non-consecutive days each week and suggested that she spend quiet time meditating each day, as mindfulness meditation has been shown to help reduce blood pressure. I also gave her a fourminute aerobic exercise routine to do three times a day specifically designed to help the body increase nitric oxide levels.

A few days later, Jane emailed me to update me on her “exciting progress.” She had implemented many of my recommendations and was eating lots of healthy salads, seeds, bananas, and papayas, and was keeping an accurate log of her readings. Before she embarked on my program, her blood pressure was 155/88 (as measured by her doctor). That dropped to 132/80 during her next visit less than two weeks later. She suspects that this doctor’s reading may have been elevated due to “white coat syndrome,” as the reading she took at home was a healthy 121/67. A half an hour after drinking some fenugreek tea with some ground ginger, she found her next reading to be a remarkable 105/71 with a 72 pulse. Jane is now sleeping better, and her self-measured diastolic readings are consistently under 80, while her systolic readings are usually under 120.

Normally, I tell clients that they shouldn’t expect rapid results when using natural approaches that include diet, supplementation, and exercise. I’ve found it can often take up to three months for people to see significant changes. But it’s also not uncommon to see quick improvements, particularly for relatively healthy people like Jane who are committed and dedicated to pursuing optimum health.

One of the best reasons to continually work on living a healthy lifestyle is that it can make performing the activities of daily life easier, providing us with more time to do the things we love. Making lifestyle changes requires more of a commitment than taking pharmaceutical drugs, but the health benefits can be amazing, especially when you consider the potential adverse effects of drugs. Making healthier food choices, taking supplements, fasting, meditating, and getting more exercise can not only help manage blood pressure, but bring a host of other benefits like increased energy, better sleep, and a longer life.

Nathan Zassman is the owner and president of Aviva Natural Health Solutions.

Nathan Zassman Natural Health

Cain appeared on CHTV’s The Good Day Show with Child Life specialist Maria Soroka

Keeping Hydro rates under control relieves

ratepayers and is part of long-term

development strategy

Dorothy Dobbie

Health care has been at the top of the Premier’s agenda for the past several months, but she has continued to work on the issue of making life affordable for Manitobans, while creating hope and opportunity for the future through economic development.

One of these issues has been tackling the crippling burden of Manitoba Hydro’s debt on homeowners, the ratepayers who are covering the cost overruns created by former NDP government decisions. These included their stubborn determination to change the route of the BiPole III Hydro line from east to west which increased the cost of the line from $2.2 billion to $3.7 billion, and the cost overrun on the Hydro managed Keeyask Dam from a projected $6.5 billion to $8.7 billion.

Servicing the debt has resulted in demands for rate increases that hit homeowners in a pocketbook already depleted by the growing federal carbon tax on natural gas.

“To make home heating and hydro energy more affordable for Manitobans,” said Premier Heather Stefanson, “means getting Manitoba Hydro’s debt under control and putting an end to sharp increases in Manitoba Hydro bills.”

This meant shifting some of Manitoba’s Hydro debt burden away from rate payers and onto the province’s general budget to leave room for payments on the principal of Hydro’s debt. This allows

a huge reduction in the interest payments we were carrying.

How was this done? The province charges the hydro utility, as do some other jurisdictions, water fees for the rental of the water flowing though its dams. The government also collects a provincial debt guarantee fee from Manitoba Hydro. Both fees have been reduced by 50%. This change will save Manitoba Hydro approximately $190 million in 2022–23 and $4 billion over the next 20 years. The changes were made effective in April 2022.

“What this will do,” said the Premier, “is keep rate increases down to no more than two percent a year for the next 17 years.

“In conjunction with this,” she added, “is the strengthening of the Public Utilities Board, to give them more ability to do the critical analyses and to institute checks and balances to the system.”

The long-term goal, says the Premier, is to smooth the way for more business to locate in Manitoba, taking advantage of lower rates and greater power availability.

“The future of our province lies in the development of all our resources, including human resources inherent in the energy and ingenuity provided by partnerships with our First Nations people as well those created through good stewardship of our natural advantages.”

Minister Cliff Cullen: We need to cooperate with Hydro in developing strong policy direction

To Cliff Cullen, minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, the change alleviating Manitoba Hydro of some of its debt burden is just the first step toward developing a long-term strategy that needs to include a new energy policy for the province. “The government and Hydro have to come together to create a modern approach to Hydro electric energy and sales,” says the minister, who believes that we need a comprehensive plan going forward.

“Hydro needs policy direction,” he says. Part of that is looking at all the factors that will affect Hydro sales, its budget, and how Manitobans can best use the resource to meet development goals in the coming years.

“For example, we need to look at our external contracts and determine whether we should direct excess power to other jurisdictions to fuel their growth and expansion or if we would be better advised to maintain our resource to build manufacturing and other sales, domestically.”

Based on historic records and looking down the road, we know that fluctuating water levels will affect our productivity in coming years. Water management is critical. “We must think of ways to mitigate the effects of this on both our budget and our supply of power,” he says.

To that end, in May 2021, the Manitoba government invested $1 million in a Water Strategy Fund to support the development and implementation of Manitoba’s provincial

water management strategy. Implementation of many of its recommendations might be incorporated in planning for and mitigating future water supply fluctuations that will impact supply and hydro generation and the finances of the utility.

Recently the need for level three power charges in the north has been top of mind, not just to support local populations but to enhance tourism and eventually to supply the transportation industry. For example, Gardewine has been electrifying its local transport vehicles over the past few years and hopes to ultimately convert its long-distance transportation fleet. Last November they added seven new electric vehicles. This is just one example of how quickly the world is adjusting to the new imperative for reduced carbon emissions and Manitoba is well placed to take advantage of this.

“With the integrated Hydro plan that we are developing, we can capitalize on these changes,” says the minister. “That includes a rationalization of the red tape that limits what can be done to market hydro sales – simple things such as the inability of Hydro to wholesale power for resale to others who may be willing to take risks in installing high level charging stations.”

“We need to look at all the options, including variable rate structures that are employed by other provinces.

“All of these changes and strategies are in aid of building a positive future for our province.”

WHAT IS THE PROVINCIAL GUARANTEE FEE?

The Provincial Guarantee Fee (PGF) is an annual fee payable to the Province of Manitoba in exchange for the debt guarantee. Until recently, it was calculated using a rate of 1% multiplied by the applicable outstanding debt at March 31st of the previous fiscal year. (When first established, the fee was 0.125% in 1961, increasing to 1% in 1991.) On November 23, 2022, the Province of Manitoba announced the reduction of the fee to 0.5% of outstanding debt effective April 1, 2022.

The Provincial Guarantee on Manitoba Hydro’s debt is an essential and fundamental requirement to successfully finance Manitoba Hydro’s capital programs allowing Manitoba Hydro to borrow at rates lower than what Manitoba Hydro could access in the market absent the Provincial guarantee.

Economic Development Minister Cliff Cullen.

Heather Stefanson

The Premier’s priorities

Chicken Florentine – The Italians got this dish spot on

When we talk about home cooked, comfort meals, chicken is at the top most people’s list. This particular dish, Florentine, brings back many fond memories for me with family, laughter, and lots of warmth. The style, Florentine, is typically a dish prepared à la Florentine, meaning in the style of Florence, Italy. In the simplest terms, this means the dish contains spinach with a cheese sauce.

The idea with this dish is its roller-coaster flavour journey – sweet, savory while being very rich and comforting, warming you up on those still chilly evenings. Essentially, these simple ingredients combine to create a dish that is exceptionally delicious, good enough not just for a regular day but also for guests that may be invited along to savour.

Here is what you will need:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 skinless chicken breasts

2 teaspoons dried oregano

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

5 green onions roughly chopped

3 cups baby spinach

¾ whipping cream

½ cup freshly shaved Parmesan

Pinch freshly ground salt

Freshly ground black

pepper

Ian Leatt Foodies

2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley

Measured amount of linguini

Lemon wedges

The all important how to:

Place a medium sized iron skillet on the stove on a medium heat, add the oil and heat to a medium temperature. Place the chicken and season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook until golden and no longer pink, 8 minutes per side. Set aside.

In the same iron skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add in the garlic and cook until clear about 1 minute.

Place the cherry tomatoes and green onions in and cook until the tomatoes begin to split then add the spinach and cook until it starts to wilt.

Stir in whipping cream and add parmesan bringing the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce has slightly reduced, about

How clean is the air that we breathe?

We all breathe air, but do we really know how clean the air really is? If the last 3 years have taught us anything it is that there are airborne enemies wherever we go that are so microscopic that once they have a hold on us, we end up feeling rather unwell. For some, it has been terminal, and others are still suffering.

What has happened over these last years, should if anything, have taught us to be ever vigilant and forever diligent with our personal hygiene.

The doctors, nurses, and staff at all medical facilities continue to fight these dreaded bacteria and viruses and have been under so much pressure, with constant overtime being required to handle the need. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and Influenza are driving hospitals to the brink of collapse. It really is a very bad situation.

The government has said that having ‘high-efficiency particulate air filters’ or HEPA filters installed will help. Sure, they will to a certain degree. The scale used is what is known as the ‘Minimum Efficiency

Reporting Values’ or ‘Merv rating.’ What is that you may well ask? A MERV rating tells you, on a scale of 1-16, how effectively your filter traps the small particles you don’t want to circulate throughout your home or office.

The higher the MERV rating, the higher the number of particles the filter traps. A MERV 16 filter will also catch smaller particles than a MERV 8 however a MERV 16 filter is 5 inches thick and to use one may require an expensive retrofit to your HVAC system. Also, the thicker the filter is the slower your airflow will be putting greater strain on your furnace fan system. Sounds great, but there is a difference here though. Particles are larger than microscopic bacteria?

The indoor places we find ourselves in, our homes, places of work, schools everywhere we venture no matter where, all have these ingredients simply floating around waiting for a new host, or many hosts come to think of it. Airborne bacteria and viruses are not what we want in these indoor spaces.

Something that you may not be aware of

is that indoor air quality in your home and or office can be five times more polluted than the outdoor air, primarily because indoor air is not properly sanitized. There are added contaminants that are simply not filtered out of the air or removed from surfaces, but instead, continue to accumulate over time. This happens because bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and other toxins are too small to be stopped by traditional air filters, and some can even pass through a HEPA filter.

What should we do? It is commonly known that no matter what added product we incorporate into our home, we are doing something to help! From a stand-alone small air filter/purifier to a large air purifier incorporated in our ductwork. It all boils down to the dollar we invest and the size of space required to purify.

If like me, you have suffered from COVID-19 and want desperately to help protect your family and friends should they be over, then now would be the time to research what is best for you and your environment.

You can research by way of Google or Amazon and find a product that best suits your needs, from a small plug-in unit that covers 800 square feet to a larger unit that will cover 2500 plus square feet. Our homes are, after all, our castles and we want to protect all those who live or visit

three minutes. Return chicken to skillet and stir the sauce mixture over then cook until heated through, about seven minutes or so.

Place the linguini in your serving dish then the sauce and a piece of chicken dust with freshly chopped parsley. Serve with some lemon wedges

Ian Leatt is general manager of Pegasus Publications and a trained chef.

us there. Since the inception of the pandemic, there have been many start-ups entering the air purification sector. My advice would be to consider those who have been in business for 10 years or more as their technology will have been tested over time and will have developed to be much more effective in helping cure our indoor air woes.

I have researched this extensively and found that the HALO-LED™ is the best product for me. The beauty of it is that this one device in general will provide coverage for the entire home, with no need for a standalone in every room. This high-tech piece of equipment must be installed by a qualified HVAC installer. It comes with a 7-year warranty and has completed so many tests that it astounded me. Leveraging bi-polar ionization the HALO-LED™ provides the added benefit of reducing airborne allergens, dust, and particulate. By combining REME-LED™ UV technology along with RGF’s proven PHI-CELL® technologies, the HALO-LED™ provides revolutionary indoor air purification.

If you are interested in my research, why not call me 800 265 0027

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!”

u Lily lovers will love this

Continued from page 1

But Leanne doesn’t stick to martagons. Canadian Lily Hybridizers and their Lilies covers the lily world of Asiatic lilies that were introduced by Canadians.

Her book has been endorsed by lily growers around the world, including the North American Lily Society and lily growers in Europe.

If you love lilies, you will also love this book. We are particularly proud at Pegasus Publications Inc., (your publishers of Lifestyles 55), to have produced this beautiful hard cover version for Leanne. It will make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift this spring.

Thank you to Sandy Venton for her help in making this happen and thank you to our own Karl Thomsen for his hours or work on the layout and photo corrections.

To get your copy of the book, contact Leanne at https://prairie-smoke-growers. myshopify.com.

Watch for Leanne at her booth at the Living Green Show at the Red River Ex on Easter weekend this April.

Diabetes by hockey

The Canadian medical genius, Dr. Hans Selye, through thousands of scientific studies, confirmed individuals react to every variety of stress in the same way, whether it be physical stress or mental stress. The pituitary gland at the base of our brain begins protective action by producing two hormones, ACTH and STH. This is the beginning of what Dr. Selye refers to as the “alarm reaction”, which varies with the intensity of the stress. Other glands begin producing different hormones, including cortisone. The body begins to break down protein into sugar, needed for energy. Our blood pressure goes up and our blood sugar rises. The pancreas will increase the production of insulin in order to control blood sugar levels. Prolonged stress causes other changes, minerals are drawn from our bones, fat is mobilised from storage depots, an abnormal amount of salt is retained as the body prepares for fight or flight.

At this point, if we calm down and relax, the body will eventually go back to a normal relaxed state and repairs to damaged tissues begin. If stress is constantly repeated, the thymus and lymph glands shrivel as their proteins are purposely destroyed to make sugar. Once these glands shrivel up, the body takes protein from blood, liver, kidneys, and other parts of the body to make more sugar. Our glands and organs become exhausted. When the pancreas is too depleted to make enough insulin, our blood sugar can no longer be reduced, and we experience the first signs of diabetes, which is just one of many symptoms of an exhausted body when proteins are necessarily stolen and not replaced, and our bones become

weakened by the theft of calcium. Our body is slowly decaying and will continue to do so unless we can escape the stress and begin to relax.

It makes perfect sense for our body to react this way when we are in real danger. However, it is unhealthy and often life-threatening if our body goes into full blown defense mode when there is no danger. The problem is our body is easily fooled into thinking there is a real threat when there is none. When we watch a hockey game on television, our body is fooled into thinking we are physically involved in what we see, and it reacts accordingly. When we are watching a player racing towards the net to score a goal, our body reacts as if we are that player, and we experience an adrenalin rush as sugar is pumped into our blood. If we repeat this hour after hour and day after day, there comes a day when our body becomes exhausted. When the pancreas becomes depleted, it can no longer produce the insulin necessary to handle the excessive sugar in our blood. Eventually our cells are unable to take in any more sugar and insulin will have no effect on our blood sugar levels.

Unfortunately, to make matters worse, Nature has played a dirty trick on us. When adrenalin is pumped into our blood, sugar, along with endorphins, enter our bloodstream, which makes us feel good. All our problems and worries disappear. People become addicted to these sugar/endorphin rushes, and they go back for more. Not everything that feels good, or tastes good, is good for us. Dr. Selye’s experiments were done in the laboratory on rats. Other researchers confirmed his findings by ex-

perimenting with human volunteers in prison. After being subjected to continual stress, prisoners had numerous symptoms of a decaying body. Some volunteers became too ill to continue with the experiment. When the prisoners were removed from stress and placed in quiet surroundings with plenty of fresh air, sunshine, mineral and vitamin supplements, along with an adequate diet, they eventually recovered. Adelle Davis, in her book, Let’s Get Well, explains what an adequate diet is. It is not pizza and beer.

For hundreds of years scientists had been warning about the health effects of tobacco products while movie stars and famous people were accepting money from tobacco companies to promote smoking. Smoking was big business and big money. Ordinary people on the street were being played for suckers. They willingly gave up their money in order to kill themselves. Social scientists have been telling us for generations, the problem is not tobacco, the problem is that people, for the most part, are very short sighted. If cigarettes killed us immediately, people could understand that they are poisonous. However, people have not been trained to see that a death after thirty or forty years of smoking was caused by cigarettes. The same thing is happening today with adrenalin/ endorphin rushes. People become addicted to this feeling of euphoria. They will watch exciting sports events, jump from aeroplanes, or ride a roller-coaster, in order to get a high. They do not realise; these continual up/down cycles will make them sick and may eventually kill them.

Next Month: Getting Smarter

Wayne Douglas Weedon is a Manitoba author. Some of his works may be downloaded, free of charge in various formats, at https://archive.org. Any of this author’s articles published in Lifestyles 55+ magazine, may be freely copied and circulated in any format, if the source and author are acknowledged.

Madison Street: short in length, long in history

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 Madison Street.

Madison Street is the farthest east street in this series. This story will deal with Madison Street between Portage Avenue and St. Matthews Avenue. There are certain buildings farther north on Route 90 and Border Street that once had Madison Street addresses. Perhaps another story.

Madison Street Portage to Ness Madison Street has been in the middle of many political and development issues. In the summer of 1936, the St. James Bridge was built connecting Madison Street to Kenaston Blvd. This part of the bridge is currently used by southbound traffic. As traffic increased, there were demands to expand the bridge. On December 15, 1962, a new bridge opened just east of the existing bridge. This bridge handles northbound traffic. The evolution of the transportation system resulted in Ness 1963, Silver 2001, and St. Matthews 2015 being extended to St. James Street. More widening of Route 90 has been promised. However, these changes appear to be south of the Assiniboine River.

Ten even numbered Madison Street houses were expropriated. For approximately two decades after 1962, construction of the St. James Bridge, Madison Street continued to exist as a residential street with a few small businesses and the 4-unit Cascade Apartment block. These businesses included the Pride Enterprises Car Wash, Gibson's Woodworking Cabinet Makers, and Custom Sheet Metal.

During the 1980s this block of Madison Street was almost completely bulldozed and replaced with Madison Square. In retrospect, I believe that the bull dozing of this city block was a mistake. Sportsman Enterprises owner Barry Iffillle successful-

ly fought the expropriation of his building. For a couple more decades, Sportsman Enterprises remained in business at 271 Madison.

In 2018, Dr. Simona Pesun and Dr. Rodrigo Cunha founded Prairie Endodontics (a form of dentistry) in the Sportsman Enterprises Building.

Ness to St Matthews

Between 1938 and 1947, Coronation Park was listed at Silver and St Matthews. In an April 1938 newspaper archive, Jim Morrissey is listed as the organizer for a baseball league for all age groups between Pee Wee and Junior.

Since 2014, the Yellow Quill University College, a First Nation Institute of higher learning, has been located in a former Manitoba Hydro Building.

In 2022, the Wyndham Hotel owned by the Long Plains First Nation opened. On October 22, 2022, the hotel hosted a forum for the candidates for Mayor of Winnipeg

Some of the People of Madison Street

In 1909,Robert West, a plasterer, was the first Madison Street resident listed in the Henderson Directory.

Bernice Dideriksen (1939), and Elsie Ostopiwich (1942) were welcomed as Sunbeams in the Winnipeg Free Press Sunshine Club. In 1947, John Morrison and Herman Timmer won the St. James grounds and garden contest sponsored the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

On November 8, 1951, Al Mackling son of Anne and John Mackling, age 23, was pictured on the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press after winning an award for Second Year Arts from United College. Al went on to a political career that included serving as a St. James Alderman and a cabinet minister for two Mani-

toba NDP premiers. During Al's years on St. James Council , the St. James Civic Centre was built. In 2016, Al dropped the puck for the 50th Anniversary Game. David Mackling was the chairman of the Manitoba Peace Council.

Alice and her husband Joseph Morrissey were musicians. In 1970, Alice opened the Morrissey Music Studio. Ivan and Carrie Crouch ran a construction company. William Gibson operated the previously mentioned wood working business behind his home.

Several Madison Street residents had impressive longevity records. Alex Ostopiwich spent 42 years at CN. Daniel McCarthy delivered mail for 38 years. David Gray worked for 36 years at Eatons.

On Saturday September 23, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., at the St. James Civic Centre , I will be hosting a St. James Trivia Night. All questions and prizes will have a connection to St. James Assiniboia.

Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.

Fred Morris From the desk of a gadfly

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Wayne Weedon Food for Thought

Reconnecting with Dance at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School

Imagine being limited in mobility, and then imagine being able to express yourself through the art of dance! The RWB School conducts two creative programs that can enhance the quality of healthy living.

ExplorAbility for Adults is a unique dance class designed specifically for adults with cognitive and physical mobility challenges. And it is changing people’s lives. Classes are focused on developing body awareness, self-expression, coordination, posture and alignment, all in a fun, creative and supportive environment.

Jacqui Ludwig, a leading light in the field of dance understanding and accessibility, who created and teaches the ExplorAbility program for the RWB School, uses rhythmic movement and music in her classes. “We do lots of upper-body work because for many people, stability tends to be an issue when you have a disability,” she explained. “I have folks in wheelchairs, so we do lots of upper-body things, which helps improve cardiovascular. We also do a lot of work with arms — reaching helps with flexibility in the upper body.” Ludwig sees a big improvement in her students, especially in terms of confidence. “As we move through the program, I ask them to challenge themselves a bit more, to try something they haven’t tried before, which can be scary,” she said. “But it makes a huge difference in their level of confidence.”

ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s is a dance program

Research has shown that dance and music boost psychological health and improve physical health including balance, agility and motor skills and feelings of social inclusion for persons who have physical and/or cognitive disability.

designed to make dance accessible for all ages and abilities; it is focused on developing rhythm, body awareness, coordination, posture, alignment, and self-expression, in a fun, creative and supportive setting. Current research has proven that dance encourages physical improvements in gait, posture, and balance along with social engagement and quality of life in people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Know Before You Sign-Up

• Every class is accessible in person or online through

Female triumvirate leading RMTC

In 2022, for the first time in its 64-year history, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre was proud to announce that all its top leadership positions were held by women. Together, these women have combined their experience in the arts and administration to herald in a new era of female-led theatre. Royal MTC is led by Board Chair Laurie Speers Artistic Director Kelly Thornton and Executive Director Camilla Holland.

Established in 1958, Royal MTC’s first Artistic Director was John Hirsch. He was followed by a succession of men, ending with Steven Schipper who was the Artistic Director from 1989 to 2019. Then came Kelly Thornton. Despite having the first season she programmed interrupted by the pandemic, Thornton has filled the theatre with a mix of meaty dramas, riotously funny comedies and sing-along inducing musicals.

Thornton’s programming speaks to our times with thematic elements that carefully balance provocative concepts with entertainment. She says of her closest colleagues, “Previously having served for 18 years as the Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre, Canada’s foremost feminist theatre, I know the power of the collective effort of women. It gives me strength to work alongside these formidable women.”

And formidable they are. Executive Director Camilla

Holland has not only been the executive director at Royal MTC since 2011, but has also served as a longtime board member for Manitoba for the Arts and was previously a board member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatre. Holland has woven herself into the fabric of Canadian theatre as a respected member of the community.

Holland speaks highly of the newest member of this leadership trifecta, “Laurie is not our first female Chair of the Board of Trustees. That honour goes to Susan Skinner in 1988 – but she is notably the first to assume the important work of that role alongside Kelly as our first female Artistic Director, and myself as the first female Ex-

Zoom.

• Wheelchairs, walkers, and support animals are welcome. With advance notice, ASL assistance can be arranged for the hearing impaired.

• Support staff/caregivers are welcome to attend and encouraged to participate in the program at no additional cost.

• All classes begin with seated dancing and progress to standing, then travelling sequences. Seated options are provided for those who prefer to continue dancing in a seated position.

• The class is designed to engage participants cognitively, physically and creatively through a variety of music and dance styles.

• Comfortable attire is recommended. Footwear may be soft dance slippers/shoes, socks, or clean street shoes/runners (no outdoor footwear please).

• It is recommended that participants speak to their healthcare provider before registering for the program. Join us!

Sign-up for our next session of ExplorAbility for Adults by March 22, 2023 on WEDNESDAYS, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST with Jacqui Ladwig

OR our upcoming session of ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s by March 17, 2023 on FRIDAYS, 9:15 am - 10:30 am CST with Jacqui Ladwig.

Register at rwb.Org/explorability or call 204-9573467.

ecutive Director. While it might be surprising to consider this milestone didn’t happen until our 65th season, what’s equally important to focus on is the legacy the Laurie inherits of extraordinary volunteers who stepped forward to lead the Board of Trustees, in step and in conversation with our wonderful past artistic directors, general managers and executive directors, for the benefit of the entire community.”

Laurie Speers is an arts lover who has been a member of Royal MTC’s Board since 2014. Her passion for the theatre and commitment to community led her to being elected board chair in 2022. Speers says of the position, “I am thrilled to be chairing the Manitoba Theatre Centre Board with two strong and passionate women by my side. We challenge and inspire one another as we work toward fulfilling our strategic goals: cultivating talent, fostering a deeper connection with community, captivating audiences and building the organizational foundation. Sharing our love of theatre and its ability to transform and entertain our audiences brings all three of us great joy!”

As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, 2023, Royal MTC is proud to be led by these three formidable women. With them at the helm, Royal MTC will continue to bring art to life on stage with a deft hand and a new perspective.

Daphne Margaret Korol: Dancer, actor choreographer

Daphne Margaret Korol. (1924 - 2015)

Dancer, Actor Choreographer

Daphne Margaret Stanley-Harris was born on August 5, 1924 in Winnipeg. Her ancestors included her great-grandfather Sir Charles Tupper, who was a Father of Confederation and Prime Minister in 1896 and her grandfather, William Johnston Tupper, who was the 12th Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba.

Daphne was the only child of Bertrand StanleyHarris and Emma Tupper. For a few years during her childhood, Daphne lived with her mother and grandparents at Government House in Winnipeg, while her father

remained on the family's fruit plantation outside Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Daphne's interest in dance was encouraged by her mother and she studied and performed with companies in South America and Canada before returning to Winnipeg in 1948. She married Taras (Ted) Korol who was a renowned costume and set designer in 1956. He predeceased her in 1998.

Daphne dedicated her life to the arts. She was a dancer, actor, teacher, choreographer, artistic director, producer and mentor. Daphne received significant recognition during her lifetime for her immeasurable contributions to the arts. She taught ballet, drama, tap

and flamenco over a period of 50 years. She earned an Advanced Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance, London, England.

As an actor, Daphne worked under the direction of John Hirsh at the Manitoba Theatre Centre. She founded Shakespeare in the Park, which later became Shakespeare in the Ruins. She also founded the Children's Dance Theatre and co-founded Actor's Showcase, which later became Manitoba Theatre for Young People. Adding to her list of achievements, she also directed shows for the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

As an Honorary Member of Dance Canada, her choreography earned her Gold Honours. She was a former dancer with the Ballet Ruse, as well as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, where she danced under the artistic direction of Arnold Spohr. Daphne performed in many of the early productions of Rainbow Stage. As an actor, she appeared

in television programs and in movies such as Shall We Dance. In 2007 Daphne was the recipient of the Victor Cowie ACTRA Manitoba Lifetime Achievement Award and in January 2014 she was the recipient of Dance Manitoba's Distinction for Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award and was personally congratulated for this honour by Winnipeg Mayor, Sam Katz. In August 2014, at the time of Daphne's 90th birthday, she was honoured at the premiere of Red Czarina Entertainment's documentary "Daphne Korol - The Drama Queen of Winnipeg".

She will forever be remembered for her passion, inspiration and vision for the future of the arts community. Daphne Margaret Korol passed away peacefully on January 5, 2015 in Winnipeg. She was 90 years of age.

Jim Ingebrigtsen submits updated stories of Memorable Manitobans on behalf of the Manitoba Historical Society.

Photos by Heather Milne.

Memorable Manitobans

Left to right: Laurie Spears, Kelly Thornton & Camilla Holland.

Imagine exploring the magical North through the arts

Imagine that you have decided to take advantage of a great job opportunity in a northern community. Or maybe COVID-19 has hit your family hard and you have decided to return home for support. Suddenly you find yourself hundreds of kilometres away from the closest Tim Hortons, concert hall, favourite restaurant, family and friends. You assume that the internet will be spotty so you attend your first ZOOM meeting with ‘video off’.

Imagine that you are a professionally trained musician or artist finding yourself in a northern community with limited resources. You need a music studio, recording equipment, a string for your violin, a certain hue of glass bead and there is none to be found. Yesterday you seemed to have had everything at your fingertips, with every opportunity within your grasp and now everything seems elusive and substandard, Imagine that you are a business owner or funder who would like to connect with ‘the north’. Who do you call? The Band Office? Town Hall? The Nursing Station? School Division?

Now here’s another scenario. Imagine that you have arrived in a northern community with limited resources as an artist, with no Tim Hortons or concert hall but you find a choir that you can join that will allow you to perform in Carnegie Hall, NY, an artist studio that will provide inexpensive studio space, an e-commerce artisan shop with podcast and videography equipment at your disposal and blue skies to create whatever you want. Now also imagine that you can purchase a house for under $50,000, walk to work through a forest and around a lake. Imagine that in your new life you could take a short walk during lunch hour to the beaches of Hudbay to watch the beluga whales relaxing offshore. Imagine that you can wander at will through the boreal forest foraging for wild cranberries and blueberries on the way to your next meeting or grab your kayak for a late night paddle at the end of the day since the sun sets at midnight.

Both scenarios are based on reality. The north is filled with difficult challenges and surprising opportunities. An ad hoc task force group called imagiNorthern began meeting in 2021 to talk about it all. We were curious to learn about each other’s desires, assets and challenges. The conversation started between Flin Flon and The Pas and quickly grew to include Thompson and Churchill with support from Creative Manitoba and the Manitoba Arts Network.

Our discussion confirmed what we suspected – that we have many commonalities and yet we are each distinct. There is the common perception that The North is ‘the north’, which is essentially anything above the diagonal starting from the 52nd parallel at the top of Lake Winnipeg reaching upwards towards to east to Hudson Bay. The North encompasses over 50 percent of the province yet it is, unknown, and under appreciated.

Without looking at the map of Manitoba, how well do you know the province? Do you know exactly where Flin Flon or The Pas is? How about Churchill or Thompson? Norway House is steeped in Manitoba’s fur trade history celebrated annually during York Boat Days. Do you know how to get there? What about Brochet, home of the renowned musician, author and playwright, Tomson Highway? Not sure? You’re not alone.

In 2020, the Flin Flon Arts Council (the little engine that could) decided to support northern artists and artisans during the pandemic by creating a physical and online store that hopefully would put a bit of money in artist’s pockets during a very challenging time. With seed money from Community Futures Greenstone and the Flin Flon Credit Union, a small shop was opened on Flin Flon’s Main Street as a three month pilot project. The store grew quickly and soon became known as the Uptown Emporium. www.uptownemporium54. com This presented another surprising opportunity. Perhaps more could be done to promote the arts by setting up an online marketplace as a social enterprise and economic development support for the north. Beginning with 11 vendors in Dec. 2020, in one year the store has grown to include 100 vendors.

As our binoculars scanned the northern horizon we

wondered what resources were available in northern communities for these new entrepreneurs. After a few conversations, it appeared that resources for artists and artisans in northern Manitoba were and are limited. Through support from the Northern Association of Community Councils, the Flin Flon Arts Council was encouraged to search for northern champions to learn about the assets, challenges and goals of our northern communities. With funding from the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce Mineral Development Fund, we hired Strategic Moves to develop a survey to collect data on northern artists and makers. The young imagiNorthern committee spread the survey throughout their communities and slowly an image of the north is starting to come into focus.

In March 2023, sponsored by University College of the North with support from Community Futures Greenstone, CEDF and Look North, a first Northern Art Conference will be hosted in Flin Flon, greeting Northern Champions, stakeholders and partners on a collective discovery on ‘the north’. This first gathering is not only the coalescence of the imagiNorthern vision but a peek into a northern imagi-Nation.

It’s important to know the facts and to take the time to understand ‘the north’. Yes it is difficult to travel north. Flights are $1300 return to Flin Flon or an eight hour drive north but there is so much to see and do once you get here. The Churchill Creative Collective, The Pas Arts Council, The Snow Lake Arts Council, Mall of the Arts and The Flin Flon Arts Council will make sure that you have a wonderful time.

And yes, you can join the Flin Flon Community Choir to sing a Ola Gjeilo, a World Premier work that our choir will be presenting in New York City’s Carnegie Hall.

Imagine that!

Crystal Holt

Imagine North

Inside the Uptown Emporium.

Manitoba songwriter Errol Ranville, Who is he? Maybe a future Order of Manitoba?

He’s one of Manitoba’s finest, most prolific singer/ songwriters, with more than one hundred songs written and recorded over a dozen albums. He’s scored a half dozen national hit singles and been nominated for two Juno Awards. Yet not enough people know his name.

Errol Ranville has enjoyed a 40 plusyear career with no signs of slowing down. With a new album, Spirit Rising, in the works and a compelling autobiography Run As One: My Story, an at times heartbreaking story of triumph over adversity, published in 2021 by Great Plains Publications, it’s time to acquaint Manitobans with the man best-known as C-Weed.

Born and raised in rural Eddystone, Manitoba into a large Indigenous family, early on Errol saw music as an opportunity to escape a life of poverty and racism. He and his brothers Brian, Stirling, Wally, Don, Randy, and Errol all played music. “It was obvious that we had talent, potential and determination,” notes Errol. “What we didn’t have was the means to take those qualities further, out of the bush and the Indigenous house parties, to a wider audience.” In 1969, the family moved to Winnipeg to give their children the opportunity to pursue careers. “My parents made that sacrifice knowing that our dreams could never be fulfilled in Eddystone,” states Errol.

Gradually, C-Weed and The Weeds, based on Errol’s nickname, evolved into The C-Weed Band, with Errol on guitar and vocals, Wally on bass, Don on drums, plus renowned local guitarist Jimmy Flett, playing 6-hours a day, 6 days a week, for $65 a week each at the Brunswick Hotel on the Main Street strip. By the mid-1970s, with fiddler/guitarist Clint Dutiaume in the lineup, and older

brother Brian directing their career from his job with the federal government in Ottawa, The C-Weed Band began playing reserves across Canada, opening up a circuit for later performers.

In 1981, the band’s recording of Robbie Robertson’s “Evangeline” topped the Canadian country music charts and they found themselves appearing on national television shows and performing at the biggest clubs and concert halls coast to coast. Further hits, including “Play Me My Favourite Song”, “Pickup Truck Cowboy”, “Bringing Home The Good Times” and “Magic In The Music”, all composed by Errol, became Top Ten hit singles. Over the years, The C-Weed Band has toured Europe, performed across the United States, and were invited to play at a major cultural festival in China. Along the way, the band became role models for Indigenous communities.

“The C-Weed band faced the kind of racism that Indigenous musicians as a whole had to deal with,” says David McLeod, general manager at NCI (Native Communications Incorporated) radio. Unless you’re Indigenous, you didn’t know how bad it was. It was like the deep south, club manager comes out, sees the band is Indigenous and says, ‘You guys can’t play here.’ That was the reality. It was kind of like Apartheid. But The C-Weed members, both individually and collectively, earned the respect of other non-Indigenous musicians and that went a long way in their eventual success.”

In 1990, Errol scored a hit single under his own name with the inspirational “I Wanna Fly”. “The song is about salvation,” he explains. “I wrote it during a tough time in life. That song made me come in contact with my spiritual self and it lifted me up. I was blessed to say exactly how I was feeling and I believed that maybe the song would do for others the same thing as it did for me.”

Ten years later, Errol wrote and recorded “Run As One’, a rallying cry for Indigenous peoples everywhere to unite. Inspired by Manitoba MLA Elijah Harper as well as the standoff in Oka, Quebec, the song has become an anthem in a time of truth and reconciliation. “To this day, ‘Run As One’ outsells all the C-Weed albums put together,” notes Errol, with justifiable pride. “It’s worldwide. It speaks to people in a way no other of my songs do. I never anticipated how much that song would resonate with a wider audience. It became a #1 song on radio for 17 weeks and was nominated for a Juno award.” Errol and The C-Weed Band continue to be a major concert attraction across Canada and are already booked up for this coming summer.

Throughout his career, Errol Ranville has resisted pigeon-holing his music. “We never waved the Indian flag,” he insists. “Our music was just good country-rock music and we always wanted to be judged on that basis. We felt we could compete with non-Indigenous artists on an equal footing.” The recipient of several Indigenous music awards, Errol is also a member of the Manitoba Aboriginal Hall of Fame. But it’s time to recognize Errol and The C-Weed Band for their contributions to Manitoba music, not just Indigenous Manitoba music, with induction into The Order of Manitoba.

Giuseppe Condello internationally acclaimed master of wordless expression

As a performer/teacher/actor/mime artist, Giuseppe Condello is virtually without peer. He has forged a career that has taken him throughout North America and Europe. That includes an invitation to tea with our late Queen Elizabeth at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.

And after more than 50 years in the world of the theatre, he is still exploring new forms of creativity.

I first met Giuseppe in 1982 when he and his wife and partner, Kathy, were organizing the world’s first International Corporeal Mime Festival – right here in Winnipeg – in honour of his own mentor, the great Etienne Decroux. I have to say that Giuseppe was – and is – one of the most impressive individuals about whom I have had the pleasure of writing about and getting to know. He has the ability to express himself eloquently with and without words.

I caught up with Giuseppe last month over coffee at Piazza DiNardi during which he filled me in on his early days as well as bringing me up to date on what he has been up to over the past 35 or so years since we last met.

Giuseppe spent his first years in southern Italy in the town of Bovalino Marina on the Ionian coast. The future mime artist was six when he arrived in Winnipeg with his parents, brothers and sister. He recalls that his first exposure to celebrity came through his family’s connections to night club owner Charlie (Carlo) Mazzone who brought the Condello family to Winnipeg.

“My parents worked at Rancho Don Carlos,” Giuseppe says of the popular night spot that Mazzone opened in 1950 and operated for a decade. “As kids, my sister and I would often hang out in the kitchen while the likes of Bob Hope, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole would be performing. But it was only years later that we would come to appreciate their celebrity.”

It was a different kind of performer though who inspired Giuseppe to pursue a career in theatre and – specifically – as a mime artist. That performer was the great Charlie Chaplain whom Giuseppe remembers first seeing on the big screen at the neighbourhood Park Theatre when he was 10.

Early in his high school years. Giuseppe enrolled in acting classes at the Manitoba Theatre Centre and soon caught the eye of MTC cofounder and artistic director John Hirsch. Hirsch encouraged the young would-be actor to apply for one of just six openings for males at Montreal’s prestigious National Theatre School of Canada. “I had three wonderful years in Montreal,” he recalls. “After graduation, I began getting roles in places like the Centaur Theatre in Montreal and the Young People’s Theatre in Toronto.”

Giuseppe’s next stop was Stratford, Ontario, where Jean Gascon, the artistic director of the Stratford Festival of Canada from 1967-74, who cast the young actor in several small roles.

“Jean Gascon noticed my talent for subtle physical movement,” Giuseppe recounts. “He was the one who arranged for me to go to Paris to study mime.”

At Stratford, Giuseppe became friendly with the inimitable French mime artist, Marcel Marceau. When the first choice as teacher for Giuseppe didn’t work out, Marceau offered to be his teacher. As it turned out though, Marceau just at that time was booked for a world tour.

Marcel offered to introduce Etienne Decroux, his teacher and the founder of the discipline of corporeal mime, to the young Canadian. Thus, in 1972, Giuseppe and his wife, Kathy, moved to Paris. “After three months, Etienne promoted me to the advanced class,” Giuseppe recounts.

(One of the other students, he notes, was American actress Jessica Lange.)

“I studied with Etienne for two wonderful years,” Giuseppe says. “Friday evenings, we would sit on the floor in his basement while he shared his wisdom with us.”

While, he notes, Decroux wanted him to stay longer – and he wanted to stay – Kathy had already gone back to Stratford and his funds were running low. “It was hard for me to leave,” Giuseppe recalls. “I had tears in my eyes. But, Etienne assured me that I knew the work and that I was ready to go solo.”

After a short time back in Stratford, Giuseppe and Kathy returned to Winnipeg in 1975 where they founded 40 Below Mime (-40° C was the low the day they landed back in Winnipeg) and began to teach as well as perform.

In 1981, the Condellos conceived of a most ambitious project – the world’s first international corporeal mime festival- to be held right here in Winnipeg at the newlyopened Gas Station Theatre in Osborne Village.

While the festival was intended to honour Etienne Decroux, he and his wife were not well enough to attend – but their son, Maximilian, did put in an appearance.

“We invited top artists from around the world,” Giuseppe recalls. “And we treated them to Academy Award level perks such as hotel suites and limo service. On opening night, we put out the red carpet complete with bagpipers to greet our stars. The reception was wonderful.

“We also received international recognition in newspapers, magazines and on television.”

Giuseppe and Kathy made the festival an annual event for the next nine years. “Our last festival was in 1991,” Giuseppe notes. “That was the same year that Etienne died. We were burnt out.”

Throughout that period (the 1980s), Giuseppe traveled widely recruiting artists in his official capacity as a Canadian Department of External affairs ambassador to his festival.

Throughout the ‘90s, the Condello Family (with son, Anthony) moved about across Canada. For a time, Giuseppe taught at Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec. They then moved to Victoria where Kathy retired to devote her time to crafts. As there was little work for Giuseppe, Kathy went back to Winnipeg while Giuseppe moved to Toronto to teach (with frequent trips home). He moved back to Winnipeg in 2013.

Giuseppe’s talent remains in demand. He was, for example, not long ago commissioned by violinist Miyumi Seilor and her Via Salzburg string orchestra to create a performance piece to compliment Stravinsky’s Appolon Musagete.

In recent months, Giuseppe has been experimenting with a new artistic medium. He has been working with film maker Daniel Ashton on a two-part documentary with funding for the first documentary provided by the Manitoba Arts Council. The first part, which has been completed, focused on his technique.

The second documentary, he points out, will consist of interviews with international mime artists and actors as well as presenting a history of the development of corporeal mime.

And, in a nice bit of completing a circle of life, the boy from Bovalino Marina was recently profiled on national Italian TV (via zoom) which has led to an invitation for him to return to his home town to teach corporeal mime to a local theatre group.

“I am looking forward to it,” he says. “We are just trying to get the funding in place.”

Myron Love

John Einarson Local Music Spotlight

Giuseppe Condello.

The art of the insult

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”

– Rudyard Kipling

Iread, a long time ago, that insults are nothing more than the babbling of a diseased mind and sarcasm is simply the sour cream of wit. Sometimes the two go together. One way or another, when presented properly, they can be humorous. Here are some of my favourites:

1. “You look like something I’d draw with my left hand.”

2. “He’s a modest little man with plenty to be modest about.” Churchill

3. “He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” Billy Wilder

read many obituaries with great pleasure.”

8. “He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” William Faulkner about Ernest Hemingway.

9. “Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?”

10. “Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.” Moses Hadas

11. “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” Mark Twain

12. “He has no enemies but is intensely disliked by his friends.” Oscar Wilde

ships his creator.”

17. “I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.”

18. “He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” Samuel Johnson

19. “He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.”

20. “He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.”

21. “Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it”?

Mark Twain

22. “His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” Mae West

23. “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” Oscar Wilde

27. “He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.”

Abraham Lincoln

28. “There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.” Jack E. Leonard

29. “They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.” Thomas Brackett Reed 30. During one of the many heated debates between writer and political commentator William F. Buckley and writer and public intellectual Gore Vidal, Vidal accused Buckley of spewing out verbal diarrhea. In response Buckley accused Vidal of mental constipation.

Jim

Ingebrigtsen Is It Just Me...

4. “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But I’m afraid this wasn’t it.” Groucho Marx

5. “He had delusions of adequacy.”

6. “He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” Churchill

7. “I have never killed a man but I have

13. “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my play; bring a friend if you have one.” George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill.

14. “Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second … if there is one.” Winston Churchill, in response.

15. “I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.”

16. “He is a self-made man and he wor-

24. “He uses statistics as a drunken man uses a lamp-posts … for support rather than illumination.”

25. “He inherited some good instincts from his Quaker forebears, but by diligent hard work, he overcame them.” James Reston (about Richard Nixon)

26. The exchange between Winston Churchill and Lady Astor: She said, “If you were my husband I’d give you poison.” He said, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

CITO? What the heck is a CITO?

ACITO is a type of event for Geocachers, but first… a question. Here goes, “A friend told me that any geocaches that are in a spruce tree are too hard to find so don’t bother with them. Is this true?”

Absolutely not. There are some that you may feel are almost impossible but many pine or spruce tree hides are easy to find and others are usually findable if you remain calm and check them out methodically.

When you approach an evergreen look at the main part of the tree to see if anything stands out that could be a geocache. Look at the base for a geotrail (footprints of previous finders). If you don’t see any, look at adjacent trees for the telltale trail as coordinates can be out by two or three metres. Often you can follow these to the prize. Seeing none, approach the tree and look for easy entrances to the interior of the tree as this may likely be the spot it is hidden. Once you have fully circled the tree if you still have not located it this is when you pull out the tool usually carried by Geocachers and normally not other people in the summer, gloves. Many evergreen needles tend to be sharp and there is a possibility of sap being present. Lift the branches one at a time and check in, around, under and on top of the branches. At this stage a spruce cache

is usually found.

If you don’t find it, simply log a DNF (Did Not Find) and come back soon. A good time to return is right after someone else finds it as you now know it does exist and wasn’t missing. On the geocache page there is a place where you can click on “watch” and you will be notified when someone else has found it. As you are waiting, look through other Geocacher comments for a clue.

CITO is an acronym for Cache In Trash Out. Officially, it is an environmental initiative supported by the geocaching community and has been a part of geocaching since 2002. They take place regularly in 128 countries and are especially popular in Canada.

Generally, a CITO is a cleanup of an area such as a park, walkway, playground area or any other cache friendly space. A CITO can also be used for any purpose that enhances these areas. This would include habitat restoration, trail building, tree planting and has even included removing invasive species. These activities would usually include permission from the owner of the property such as municipal governments, local organizations, or the land manager. Stealth is not required for any CITO event and non Geocachers are welcome to join.

When attending a CITO garbage bags are normally

As an addendum, William Buckley’s paternal Grandparents were from Hamilton, Ontario. Interestingly, another Canadian connection is his wife Patricia Buckley was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her mother Kathleen Elliot was a daughter of one of the early Winnipeg Police Chiefs.

Jim was a writer-broadcaster, producer and presenter on television and radio for 40 years. He is also a host on Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio. Find Radio Redux and MidCentury Memories at www.whatsupwinnipeg.ca

supplied and in some cases, gloves. A good idea is to bring your own gloves and what is affectionately called a reachy or grabber stick. It’s that long thing with a trigger on one end and a claw on the other controlled by the trigger. This makes it easier to pick up the litter.

At times there are treats, the best homemade cookies I ever tasted were at a CITO. These may be supplied by the organizer or as a sort of potluck item. Anyone can bring something along. Coffee has been brought by some, especially since some of the popular coffee spots offer large containers of their product, but bring your own if you cannot go without a fix of caffeine.

As with any event this is an opportunity to get together with others in the Geocaching community. Conversation usually centres around geocaches, especially a new one that may be special or interesting. If you are interested in trying geocaching or meeting other geocachers come to a CITO. There are usually geocaches in the area of the CITO and most members would be happy to take you along to find one for yourself. There is one on March 18th at 10 am, it’s a Saturday. It starts at the north end of the portion of Molson that is south of the Chief Peguis Trail. (N 49° 55.587 W 097° 02.982, you can type this into google maps to see the location) Don’t forget to dress for the weather.

I look forward to meeting some of you at a CITO.

Gary Brown is the vice president of the Manitoba Geocaching Association (MBGA) and can be reached at MBGAexec@outlook.com.

Just say ‘yes’ – one man’s alternative to AA

Disclaimer: When I go to a fastfood outlet for a cup of coffee, my first choice is McDonald’s. I like the coffee, the cafe I go to is located quite conveniently, I have developed a bit of a rapport with some of the drive-thru staff, and I get a senior’s discount. It just suits me. Some people swear by Tim’s and some brew their own coffee. It comes down to what a person is comfortable with.

During my first one-onone conversation with my counsellor at AFM, Deb, asked me how it made me feel, what I thought of knowing that I could never have another drink, ever. Because, she said, with my history and past experiences, one drink would probably be enough to send me down a road from which there was no return.

I said I love challenges, but that that particular one was too frightening to contemplate. Well, she asked, how about

not having a drink for one day? Could I contemplate that? Yes, that I could, but I didn’t want to have to take that approach. I had heard it many times, too many times. Just take it one day at a time. The rest of my life? That was too long, but only one day at a time? That was too short. How could I make plans if I had to live one day at a time? Having to say ‘no’ to a drink for the rest of my life was a terrifying thought but I wanted to live more than just day to day. I needed a plan, a way to accomplish what I was after without it being a burden.

I was quite familiar with the 12-step program that is the basis of AA and several other addiction support groups. But I had some problems with that. Eight of the twelve steps made reference to God or to a higher power, and not one step said anything that was directly aimed at stopping drinking.

The four steps that didn’t mention a

higher power had nothing to do with addiction or being sober, but were really just good advice on how a person should conduct themselves. I found some of the 12 step meetings depressing. Having to introduce myself as an alcoholic, as a helpless, powerless person? I didn’t seem to meet anyone who was positive, who seemed happy. It seemed to me that surviving another day was all that they could hope for.

At one point I asked why there was such a lack of ambition, why everyone seemed so negative. When I was asked, ‘How long have you been sober?’ I said that I had chosen not to drink for about four months. I was told that I had no business being so confident with only four months of ‘sobriety’, and it was suggested to me that I stop off at a liquor store on my way home. “You’re going to fail, Rick, so you might as well get it over with.”

Well, I wasn’t going to do that, and I knew I would have to look elsewhere for guidance, for something I could put to use that would help me achieve my goal. My goal was simple. I was going to stop drinking. Well, actually, I was going to be a person who didn’t drink. Full stop.

Period.

Saying ‘no’ is difficult. And 12 steps seemed like almost a dozen too many. So, I figured out my own one-step program. Just say yes. ‘Yes’ is easy to say. People would rather say yes than no. ‘Yes’ is positive. ‘Yes’ has nothing negative attached to it. Saying ‘Yes’ puts a smile on a person’s face. So, I just had to figure out how to turn things around, so that the answer would be ‘yes’.

Shakespeare wrote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". It seemed to me that it didn’t matter how I arrived at my destination, just that I got there. So, I would take the first step toward my goal and say ‘yes’.

“Rick, do you like your life now and are you willing to do whatever it takes to keep it?”

Yes. Just one step. Just say yes. Simplistic? Perhaps, but it has worked for me for the past 18 months. I get up in the morning, determined, and I go to sleep at night content. Am I happy?

Yes.

So I’ll keep saying ‘yes’, one day at a time.

I can be reached at hangar14@telus.net

Gary Brown Geocaching

Rick Duerksen Reach

Joining a board should be a thoughtful process for you and the organization

Ihave often heard governance experts say that you cannot have a healthy organization if you do not have a healthy board. The longer I worked with and for charitable and not for profit organizations, the more I agreed with those words of wisdom. Many of us are asked to assist organizations by taking a volunteer position on a committee or board, and sometimes we walk into situations that are extremely stressful and potentially harmful in many ways. We may be drawn to the cause and the service to the community, but there are several things that we should consider before agreeing to serve on a board.

On a personal level, consider whether the organization’s mission, vision, and values are in alignment with your interests, knowledge, and skills. You should join an organization’s board because you feel drawn to the work, moved by the role the organization plays in the community, and because you feel strongly enough about the organization that you would gladly promote the organization within your networks, give of your valuable time, and be prepared to make personal financial contributions to the organization. Perhaps most importantly you must ask yourself if you have enough time, energy, and good health to make a contribution at this time. Sometimes it is worth expressing interest in an organization but defer-

ring your participation by a year or two to make sure that you are not overcommitted to different responsibilities. Even when these initial items seem positive, there are still several questions you should ask the representatives of the organization.

One of the first signs of a healthy board is related to the way you were approached to join the board. A healthy organization is very aware of the importance of the board nomination process. As a person who has been approached to serve on a board, you should have confirmation that this is part of an organized board process of recruitment for specific skills and expertise needed for the board. If you are approached to serve on a board just a very short time before the organization’s annual general meeting, be wary of this opportunity.

A thoughtful board recruitment process will take place months before the start of a new board term. There should be an opportunity to meet with a group of board members to discuss the current status of the board, the skills that are needed on the board, the current projects, and concerns. You should have the opportunity to review current financial reports and determine the financial health of the organization. You should look over past annual reports and program documents. You should also inquire about any outstanding legal issues the organization may be facing at the current time or

in the recent past. You should ask about the board meeting times, expectations of serving on a subcommittee, the current status of the organization’s strategic plan, expectations that the organization has of board members, and any basic expectations of financial contributions by board members. You don’t want to join a board and find out later that there is an expectation of a large financial contribution that does not feel comfortable for you.

Most organizations have a policy for board members roles and responsibilities. This will cover items like attendance expectations, communications protocols, confidentiality, media relations, conflict of interest guidelines, safe workplace policies, harassment policies, meeting protocols and practices, and other items that may be specific to the organization. This all sounds very dry and bureaucratic, but these are the organizational underpinnings of a healthy organization. If you are approached to serve on an organization that seems to be lacking interest in the organizational foundation, be cautious in your agreement to become involved.

There is much joy and satisfaction in helping a community institution develop and continue to serve your community, but some thoughtful conversations before you jump into board membership is a very wise approach to engagement in what may be a six-to-eight-year journey of learning and contribution.

Trudy Schroeder provides project planning and management services to the community through Arts and Heritage Solutions.

Vectors: Forces which have direction

The following story is part one of a new feature, the serialization of our columnist Wayne Weedon’s fictional work, Vector. Wayne is a brilliant writer whose style consists of simple declarative statements that stick in your mind as he leads you through an intricate web of circumstances to reach the lesson he set out to teach.

Author’s introduction

Vectors: Forces Which Have Direction, is a romance with no sex. This story, which is based on real life events, is about a young girl’s coming of age. In our modern world we are inundated with the likes of Peter Nygård, Jimmy Savile, Bill Cosby, Russell Williams, and Jeffrey Epstein. We are continually reminded of the evil in our world, and we have the tendency to forget that, despite the rarity, we still have individuals in our society who are truly selfless, altruistic, and who act with no ulterior motive. Besides being a recipe for the world to decrease evil and increase the glories of peace and co-operation, this story is a reminder that some people are indeed good.

In this story I have mentioned Neil Postman's book, Amusing Ourselves to Death. Although published in 1985, this book is still pertinent today. There is a tendency for people who have read this book to stop watching television and to turn off their smartphones. Why? One needs to read this book to understand why.

Chapter 1, Girl Needs Help

Even when your life becomes so miserable you can’t stand it anymore, never give up. What a difference a few weeks can make. My life has spun around so fast it makes me dizzy just thinking about it. I’ve come to learn the enjoyment of life.

In my former life my biggest dilemma was choosing what kind of tattoo I wanted, and where to put it so it would be hidden from my Evangelical Christian family. This would be easy; my parents have never allowed me to wear any skimpy clothing. But I also had to put it someplace where it would be peaking out as I cruised the hallways at university. The boys would be thinking it to be sexy. The girls, with clenched teeth, would be telling me how much they loved my new tattoo. It made me chuckle just thinking about it. I never did get a tattoo, and today, a tattoo is the last thing I want. I shudder to think how close I came to getting one. I had already made an appointment to have it done, and I had put a deposit on it. I showed a picture of my tattoo to my boyfriend and told him it would be placed just above my butt, where, if I wore the right clothes, the tip of it would be hinting at what’s below.

To my astonishment, he reacted violently, “Just above your butt? What the hell.” he shouted, “Do you know what they call those? Tramp-stamps;

tramp-stamps … tramp-stamps, that’s what they call them. You wanna look slutty? Take my advice, put it on a proper place, like your arm, or above your boob, not some place where it makes you look cheap.”

“Don’t you get it?” I shouted back, “I have to hide it from my family and my friends back home. Don’t you know what would happen if my parents ever saw it?”

“Do you think I care about your f’n parents? It’s time you stood up to them. You’re twenty years old, damn it. Giv’em the finger and tell em to F, right, off.”

I couldn’t understand why he would be so upset; he had several tattoos including a very lewd one just below his belly button. We had a lengthy shouting match culminating in him marching out of my apartment.

We had been seeing each other for two years and he spent more time in my bed than his. I shared my apartment with two other girls who were much the same as me. Their boyfriends also spent the night on a regular basis. Nobody in our apartment building seemed to notice, and besides, we paid the rent, so I don’t think anyone had the right to complain about what we did, so long as it wasn’t disturbing them.

My boyfriend and I have now broken up and I’m living with a man almost twice my age, but sex is out of the question with this new man in my life. He will have no part of it. But I truly love him, and I know he really cares about me. Somehow, we have a different kind of love, a kind I previously never knew existed. I realise now I never loved my ex. In fact, I now realise I never even liked him. I hate his controlling attitude. Somehow though, until now, I couldn’t leave him. Was it because my father was always so controlling, and I just got into the habit of being controlled? I don’t know.

Until just a short while ago, I spent much of my time on my smartphone. I was constantly texting or competing with my girlfriends at Candy Crush. Nobody could come close to my score, and it infuriated them. Now I have my smartphone turned off and I have no intention of ever turning it back on. I don’t miss any of my cyber-friends.

My life changed soon after I hired my new tutor, Mr. Leigh Graham. I was never very good at mathematics, or anything related to it, and I passed

physics in high school only by getting extra help from my physics teacher. Just before the final exam he gave me a set of questions with detailed answers to study. Some of these questions were identical to what was on the exam. Even with this extra help, my final mark wasn’t much above a passing grade.

At university, I am now working towards a degree in biochemistry, and I need to pass physics in order to graduate. Why do I need physics? As far as I can tell, it has nothing to do with chemistry.

I was never good at any form of logic, but I can easily remember facts, which helps in studying biochemistry. Could I get my university physics professor to give me the same help as my high school physics teacher? No, I don’t think so. This professor has been neither impressed with my helpless pleas, nor even my sexy come on. This man is all business, he just wants correct methods and answers from me. This is why I hired Mr. Graham; in the hope he could help me out.

The very first lesson I had with my new tutor we did not work at all. He only wanted to talk. I answered all his questions about my personal life including the fact I shared an apartment with two other girls, and I had a steady boyfriend. He told me he needed to know where I was coming from and what language I was speaking. I thought, how lame is that? I told him I’m from Winkler and I have always spoken just English. I couldn’t understand what he was getting at. I figured he might be some type of pervert.

In my second session, we started with algebra and trigonometry. He began by explaining how the Chinese were the first to use trigonometry for the navigation of ships in order to circumnavigate the globe. From my history classes I knew that wasn’t true. He went on with other weird stories. I told him, these stories were irrelevant, and I had already passed math in high school, and I just wanted to learn physics. I figured I was just wasting my money on him. He told me he needed to understand who I was in order to properly teach me, and he needed assurance that I understood the foundations of mathematics before we could get into physics. Also, he guaranteed his services; if I wasn’t happy with the results, I didn’t have to pay him.

Continued next month: Out with the Old and in with the New.

Trudy Schroeder Random Notes

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.

*

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GST and PST - Rates are per person.

are

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