Lifestyles 55 2023 09 September

Making the choice

September will be a political month and Manitobans will be faced with an important choice, perhaps one of the most critical political choices in many years. Will you give Premier Heather Stefanson a chance to continue the work to rebuild the economy that she has barely had time to begin, or will you settle for Wab Kinew who is suddenly singing her song but has had few ideas of his own except to sign the Leap manifesto which pledges to shut down all development in the North?

Let’s take a look at the two. You know that my bias is clearly with Heather Stefanson, but I will try to be fair

Contrary to what you may think, Mr. Kinew has a very good education and a degree in economics. He attended the Collegiate, a private school attached to the University of Winnipeg, and went on to the University of Manitoba for his degree in economics. Although he did not complete a Masters, he started one in Indigenous governance.

His mother, Kathi Avery Kinew, is a doctor. His father, Tobasonakwut Kinew, who passed away in 2012,

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Jim Ingebrigtsen, Chris Golden, John Einerson, Alex Regiec, John Panting, Greg Gardner, Bill Quinn and Dorothy Dobbie are joined by new voices such as Colorado Phil and Shauna Dobbie, backed up by Dwight Macauley, Ian Leatt and Lisa Lewis behind the scenes.

The station offers music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s with the occasional foray into other gen-

Tim Chapman

Epic Elton, fronted by Jeff Scott of Richmond Hill, Ontario, is the latest opportunity to be wowed in Manitoba's and North Dakota's shared gem in the Turtle Mountains. Elton John's style and overall presence will be channeled through one of his most-lauded tribute acts at the International Peace Garden on Sept. 23.

Elton John is among the top-10 living artists that I regret not making a greater effort to see live. He is one of those performers where you probably recognize 30 more songs that percolate through popular culture decade after decade.

Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Crocodile Rock! When I hear many of the hits, I'm transported back to the cassette days, listening to rock legends like Elton John on countless car rides with my dad to the grocery store, school, church, ball games.

When you live and work at the International Peace Garden you are surrounded by talented musicians every summer and know a good show when it's coming. Epic Elton will cap a

Epic Elton.

Heather Stefanson. Photo supplied.

Wab Kinew. Photo by Borebank.

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u Making the choice

Continued from page 1

was an internationally famous leader and academic with more than a dozen prestigious awards to his credit.

Wab did not pursue a career in his chosen field, preferring to become an entertainer both as a hip hop artist and later as a television broadcaster and writing a best-selling book. He has a wife and child and two sons from a former marriage. He is 42.

His difficult early years and his brushes with the law are well known, but he has abandoned that youthful behaviour and has been focusing on leading the NDP for the past six years. He represents Fort Rouge after defeating then Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari.

What ever you do - VOTE!

Heather Stefanson background

Heather grew up as the youngest in a large family of four sisters and one brother. Her father, J. Hugh McDonald, came from an early grain merchant family, but he spent his life building a real estate portfolio. He ran unsuccessfully for the Progressive Conservatives in 1977, when Heather was just 7. It made a lasting impression upon her. His wife, Diane McDonald, raised her five children and later had the honor to preside over local Citizenship Courts under Brian Mulroney.

Heather, too, went to a private school at St. John’s Ravenscourt, and then on to the University of Western Ontario, where she studied political science. She met Jason when she worked in Ottawa for Brian Mulroney, coming back to Manitoba to take up a position in Minister Charlie Mayer’s office. After spending five years working for Wellington West, getting married to Jason Stefanson in 1998, and starting a family (she has a son and daughter in their early 20s), she got elected in 2000 replacing Gary Filmon in Tuxedo. She is 53.

Heather has been elected six times and has served in both Opposition and Government where she was minister for Health, Families, and Justice and was Deputy Premier. Backgrounds not that different,

but . . .

Despite all the NDP accusations of privilege when applied to Heather Stefanson, the backgrounds of the two are not that different. They both experienced some degree of privilege, but both went to work at building a career despite this.

Where they really differ is in approach. Heather has a warm, sunny disposition. Wab Is more austere and, some say, angry. She revels in one-to-one contact with people to whom she listens and engages naturally. He is legendary for escaping social functions after a grand entrance (always a little late but with an entourage) as soon as the attention moves on to something else.

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He is, however, a polished speaker thanks to his public career in broadcasting and he has a practiced charm She wastes little time on rhetoric, wanting to get right to the point, which must frustrate her campaign people as her speeches are brief and devoid of self-praise or chest thumping. But what she says hits home.

Approach to governance

It is hard to dispassionately describe Wab Kinew’s likely approach to governance because he has shown very little to reveal how he would manage the top job. However, body language tells a lot, and he frequently uses his swivel chair to turn his back on the room during discussions in the House when others are speaking.

All announcements are made by him. It is hard to see what kind of talent he might have on his benches because we seldom get to hear them. His House Leader, Nahanni Fontaine, and her friend, Bernadette Smith, dominate the NDP benches in the Legislature occasionally sharing the stage with health critic Uzoma Asagwara. The rest seem to have trouble getting their voices heard.

Heather Stefanson, on the other hand, is the corporate director. She delegates responsibility but demands accountability. She is content to let her ministers do their jobs and is happy to see them shine. Indeed, she expects them to shine.

She is eager to listen and is probably the easiest premier to get an audience with that the province has had for many, many years. As she said in her latest ad, she likes to say Yes, even though there are times when she has to say No for the good of the province.

Platforms

Once again, you will be surprised to learn that the two are not that far apart on platform announcements. While the Tories will roll out their plans over the next month, we can draw fairly accurate conclusions about where they are going

from the many releases this spring and summer, beginning with the budget.

Tory record and platform priorities

Premier Stefanson has committed almost $3 billion to spending for health and social programs, most of which the Leader of the Opposition and his party have voted against over the past few months. This includes everything from hearing aids for seniors to insulin pumps for diabetics. The NDP voted against a $1,000 a year income tax break for low-income earners by raising the amount you can earn before paying Manitoba income tax. They voted against measures to deal with violent crime, to expand, renovate and build more schools and to invest in hospitals both in Winnipeg and rurally.

Heather has set aside $126 million for a strategy to address homelessness (which Wab also voted against) and she also committed nearly $10 million to add more addiction treatment spaces. (Wab voted against this, too). She has already begun the recruitment process for more nurses and doctors and has opened up more health care training spaces, something the NDP limited for two decades.

Heather is also solidly committed to building the economy by opening the mining industry in the North to deal with demands for minerals to build an electric world. She supports the notion of helping First nations build an economy that will give them independence. The government has already set in motion a plan to bring highways up to international standards while they have approved the announcement about NeeStaNan, the northern spur line off the Churchill Northern Gateway railway that will allow the shipment of heavier goods to tidewater, opening up billions of dollars of new trade opportunities for Manitoba and the rest of the prairies, while stabilizing the fortunes of the Churchill line.

Best of all, this is predicated on the ownership of the line by the Indigenous communities who have Treaty Land Entitlements on the land it will traverse, helping to reduce energy costs and create opportunities for economic development among First Nations.

NDP platform so far

For its part, the NDP has been setting their election table throughout August and it is a remarkable mirror of Progressive Conservative thinking. Despite the fact that many of the issues the NDP are espousing were issues just recently voted against in the House by Wab Kinew, he has reversed himself and come back with a menu that looks remarkably like it was crafted by the PCs.

He has promised a $700 tax credit, a freeze on Hydro rates and that he will get “tough on crime”, end homelessness (no details about how) and recruit more nurses and docs, all things already in progress by the PC government. He will spend $500 million on adding home care and personal care workers along with the docs and nurses, he says. Oh, and $10 a day care which, it seems to me, has been in place for about a year now under the PCs.

He did come up with a few of his own ideas: rent control, free birth control, universal school nutrition program, subsidized home security cameras and doorbells. He swears he won’t raise the PST.

His tough-on-crime approach is interesting given that he seemed dead against it when the PCs announced it: stricter bail provisions, unexplained-wealth investigations, drug traffic crackdown – sound familiar? Oh, and more mental health workers to keep crime in check.

He also said he would “grow the economy”, but no details. Maybe that is to come. It certainly won’t contain provisions for the opening of mining since he signed the Leaf manifesto pledging to halt mineral extraction. I am not sure how he plans to address the horrible conditions of the northern communities who have no economy now.

Conclusion

Judge for yourself: two different people, although not that different after all, but one has a track record, experience and a team that knows what they are doing. As Heather said, “Wab is smart, but he has no experience and no team with experience to back him up.”

The other is vision. Heather’s vision is for a prosperous Manitoba where there is enough for everyone, where we are no longer the “have-not” province, where we can have the best social services because we have a vibrant economy that can support a compassionate, inclusive community.

Wab’s vision is . . .?

Dorothy Dobbie

Stuck in the basement?

More than half of Canadians are within $200 of not being able to pay their bills

As more and more young Canadians find themselves living in their parent’s basements, newly released data from Statistics Canada shows that residential construction investment has declined for a fourth consecutive month, falling 4.5% in just the last month. This includes decreases of 5.8% in Ontario and 3.2% in Vancouver, two of the most overheated housing markets in the world. This means that there is a year-over-year decrease of 20%.

Single family home construction investment fell 5.7% to $6.2 billion in June, with declines seen in eight provinces. Year-over-year, this number balloons to a 24.1% decrease in investment since last June. 8 out of 10 provinces saw investment fall.

en 8.2%, with single family housing seeing the largest decline since the second quarter of 2020 (the onset of COVID-19) and multi-unit construction declining for a third straight quarter.

After eight years of this Liberal government, life costs more, work doesn’t pay, and housing costs have doubled. The Trudeau Liberals refuse to confront the bureaucrats and gatekeepers that prevent housing construction. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals will not come anywhere close to building the 5.8 million new homes that are needed to solve the housing affordability crisis.

M.P. Marty Morantz

Multi-unit construction declined for the 8th straight month, now at its lowest level since September 2021.

The final numbers for the second quarter of 2023 paint a bleak picture for residential construction. In the last three months, residential construction has fall-

Inflationary spending caused a spike in interest rates that could result in a disaster for struggling Canadians already saddled with massive mortgages. Rents, mortgage payments, and down payments have doubled. It used to be that people would need 25 years to pay off their mortgages. Now it takes 25 years just to save up for a down payment. Despite spending 82 billion of your tax dollars on his failed National Housing Strategy, under Prime

Minister Trudeau housing has never been so far out of reach.

I’m fact the Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate hike, bringing rates to the highest they have been in 22 years, is a direct response to the $60 billion of fuel that the Trudeau government poured on the inflationary fire with their budget this spring.

Canadians are suffering, but this government still has no plan to balance the budget or make life more affordable for Canadians by cutting inflationary taxes.

More than half of Canadians are within $200 of not being able to pay their bills. Half of Canadians already say their mortgages are unaffordable. Canada already has the highest household debt in the G7. We are on the edge of a debt disaster.

Trudeau must provide a plan to balance the budget and axe his inflationary tax on gas, groceries and heating.

Common-sense Conservatives will axe Trudeau’s inflationary taxes, bring home lower prices for Canadians, and get them out of the basement and into homes they can afford.

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

What has Winnipeg’s newest MLA been up to since last December?

When Kevin Klein was city councillor for Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood, he committed to protecting and growing green and park space. He moved a motion to add 1,000 acres of new green space in the city, which passed unanimously. He says he is happy that Premier Heather Stefanson supports his commitment.

As part of this commitment, on Tues., August 2, he announced a grant of $1.5 million to the Manitoba Habitat and Heritage Corporation (MHHC) to help preserve natural infrastructure in the Winnipeg area.

“This new Manitoba government funding will support the protection of our precious forests, green spaces and natural environment now and for future generations,” he commented. Converting spaces into conservation areas or parks shows our government’s commitment to enhancing community wellbeing and preserving natural assets and infrastructure for the long-term environmental sustainability of our great province.”

The funding will preserve natural habitat in the Winnipeg area and build on the Manitoba government’s decades of successful partnership with MHHC to advance conservation objectives across Manitoba. This includes the Manitoba government’s investment of $204 million in the GROW and Conservation trusts administered by MHHC.

Kevin went on to say, “A one-time, $1.5-million grant will be provided to MHHC as part of an initiative to acquire privately owned land with unique natural ecosystems and habitats in Winnipeg to ensure green spaces are preserved for future generations.” MHHC works in partnership with landowners and

the Manitoba government to maintain and enhance natural spaces for the benefit of all Manitobans.

“Through this support, MHHC will be able to build on more than 30 years of conservation work across rural Manitoba and have a meaningful conservation impact right here in our capital city,” said Stephen Carlyle, chief executive officer MHHC. “Natural areas within the urban landscape provide amazing spaces for communities to gather and recharge in a natural setting, as well as protect important wildlife corridors. Initiatives and funding like this put the MHHC vision, ‘Manitoba Landscapes – Alive with people and nature,’ into action.”

Over $30 Million Invested in Our Community Since Being Elected Just 7 Months Ago.

When Kevin Klein was elected Dec. 2022, he committed to working hard to ensure his community and hospital received more support financially. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished to date,” he said.

Here are the community groups that he has helped in the last seven months:

• $30 million to the Grace Hospital for 20 new beds in the ICU

• $49.7 million for St. James Assiniboia School Division in 2023/24 school year, $3.7 million or 8.1% more from last year

• Presented 10 Kirkfield Park residents with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal

• Created the Kirkfield Park Seniors’ Advisory Group

• Found funding to fix the roof at Deer Lodge Curling Club

• $242,000 for communities in Kirkfield Park

Dusty Trails to Divided Highways

The passing world of Inter-city bus lines

Mass transit between urban population centres early became a necessity in the harsh world of the pioneer prairie dweller. Multi-passenger stagecoaches (1871 to 1878) were the prototype, replaced for a while by the railway in Winnipeg after 1878. In those early days, traffic was primarily north-south between Winnipeg and Minnesota, but as communities sprang up around the Red Rive Valley, local intercity transportation became increasingly important. By 1912, a bus service was opened between Transcona and Winnipeg, followed five years later by another from Lockport. And so it began.

Alex Regiec, former Operations Planner for Winnipeg Transit for 29 years; Dennis R. Cavanagh, a bus operator for Grey Goose Bus Lines; and Avid Anthony Wyatt, an IT system administrator for the University of Manitoba have co-authored a book detailing the birth, growth, and gradual

through Green Team funding

• $52,500 for the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg

• $33,000 for Westwood Community Church

• $10,900 for God’s Family Church

• Over $60,000 for Historical Museum Assoc. of St. James-Assiniboia

• $75,000 for St. James Minor Baseball Association

• $4,900 for Rotary Club of Winnipeg – Assiniboine

• $15,000 for Sturgeon Heights Community Centre in Green Team Funding

On Wednesday, August 2, he announced even more support for community organizations in Kirkfield Park. Below is a list of the groups that received the new round of funding to help with community projects and events.

• $226,000 for Sturgeon Heights Community Center

• $140,000 for new Pickleball Courts in Woodhaven Community Club

• $300,000 for Grants Old Mill

• $150,000 for St. James – Assiniboia Minor Baseball Association

• $70,000 for Deer Lodge curling club for their roofing

• $25,000 for vision cheer company

The total invested into our community since being elected as your MLA is over $30 million, and that doesn’t include another increase given to the St. James Assiniboia School Division, more than $49 million for the 23/24 school year, which is an 8.1% increase over the last school year.

“This is what we have achieved in just seven months,” he said. “Imagine what we will do in the next four years.”

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

demise of the intercity bus system in Manitoba.

They trace the history of well-known company names as the Grey Goose Bus company started in Winnipeg in 1924, and history of Motor Coach Industries also stated in 1924 at 205 Fort Street in downtown Winnipeg to eventual acquisition by another Winnipeg manufacturer, Newer Flyer Group, in 2015. Today, New Flyer Industries is a publicly traded company headquartered in Winnipeg. It is the largest bus and motor coach manufacturer in North America.

The book is called Dusty Trails to Divided Highways and it can be purchased at McNally Robinson Booksellers for $39.95. Pick up a copy today. It reveals so much about the entrepreneurial spirit behind the early days of Manitoba and Winnipeg.

Alex Regiec is a member of the Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio group.

Hon. Kevin Klein From the Legislature

Explore the history of the intercity bus system in Manitoba.

War: does it solve long term problems or create them?

History tells us, countries grow and prosper through trade, by purchasing goods from, and selling goods to, other countries. Trade is so important to the national economy; historically nations have gone to war over trade rights, often conquering other nations and forcing them to provide cheap and guaranteed goods. Often, the general population of conquered nations would be enslaved and used as forced labour.

It was England’s hampering the American Colonies’ ability to trade which triggered these colonies to declare their independence from England and form The United States of America. England was continually at war, and England expected their colonies to not only participate in English wars, but also, through taxes, to help pay for wars. England also demanded colonies place trade embargoes on England’s enemies.

Thomas Paine declared that the colonies, by refusing to trade with any country was akin to shooting themselves in the foot; they were doing more harm to themselves than to England’s enemy. He asked why England’s enemy should be their enemy. He also noted, England was, and always had been, very fickle when it comes to war. Their enemy today could be their ally tomorrow. When it took weeks and possibly months to get news from England, the colonies were

never up to date with England’s current list of friends and enemies.

Thomas Paine recommended the American Colonies should be neutral, refusing to go to war with any nation. This way they could trade with all nations and bargain with different nations for better trade relations. Switzerland has had a policy of neutrality since 1515, and in 1815, through the Treaty of Paris, officially became a neutral nation. Thomas Paine intended to follow Switzerland’s example, believing, war costs money as well as lives, while trade makes money. Also, neutrality brings the gift of peace.

Thomas Paine recommended the USA should also follow Switzerland’s example of a democracy where issues are decided by having a plebiscite with all citizens having the right to vote. As we have experienced, having elected representatives decide major issues is not a democracy. A majority government is a pseudo-democracy, a dictatorship for the duration of their term. They can pass any law they wish. Justin Trudeau’s treatment of SNC Lavalin is an example of a dictatorship. He easily passed a new retroactive law, resulting in criminals legally getting away scot-free.

When I was a child, my father advised me to never step between a husband and wife when they are feuding, telling me I would end up as the common enemy. Stand back and let them fight was his

advice. History tells us this is also true with warring nations. When two nations are at war, another country which takes sides ends up not only making an enemy, but also losing a trading partner. Often, by intervening, a nation is drawn into the feud and is compelled to go to war.

Is there much difference between the war between Russia and Ukraine and the wars the USA had with Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq? Independence is the common issue. The USA has been constantly an imperialistic nation, and they now have the audacity to condemn Russia for doing the same thing. Is this a case of the kettle calling the frying pan black?

People and nations commonly have the

attitude, everything I do is just and right, anything you do is bad and unjust, and there are two opinions in this world, my opinion, and the wrong opinion. These nations are playing a very serious game, a game which is played for keeps.

The definition of a cohesive nation is a group held together by hatred of a common enemy. If we take away the enemy, the citizens of that nation will disperse and become a group of individuals with individual thoughts, ideas, and opinions.

Rulers of people have long realised; by creating a common enemy, they can unite the populace and easily control them like a flock of sheep. Rulers call for tolerance, with the hidden agenda of suppressing the people. Some groups are given special status and privileges. This, however, is pseudo-tolerance which tends to stir up resentment and hatred. True tolerance begins with tolerance of the truth. There can be no tolerance until there is first a full understanding of what is tolerated. Ignorance, suppression, silence, collusion … those are not tolerance, tolerance stems from freedom of speech and open discussion.

When people come to understand, we are no different from others, we are AllOne, that is when we will begin to have tolerance. If we do not segregate into groups and we remain as individuals, there can be no common enemy, there will be no justification for war, and we will have peace and prosperity.

Next month:

A Little Bit About Myself

Wayne Weedon is an Indigenous Manitoba writer of novels and short stories. To sample his wonderful work go to Wattpad.com.

Garlic to repel vampires and other bloodsuckers

Fall is garlic planting time and it’s well worth the effort, both from a foodie and an ornamental gardener perspective.

There are two popular types of eating garlic: hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic is the kind that produces tall, coiling scapes (stems) and is very ornamental. It forms bulbils in the scape that can be harvested for seed (or eating, although they are small) or removed to allow the energy to go into the underground bulb. ‘Rocambole’ is a hardneck variety that produces seven to eight cloves to a bulb on a lovely coiling scape.

‘Silverskin’ is a softneck variety with no tall scape and 12 to 15 cloves per bulb. ‘Porcelain’ grows six feet tall with large bulbs of four cloves.

In most of Canada, garlic is planted in fall for two reasons: firstly, it needs a chilling period; and secondly, it takes nine months to mature. Plant it in August or September depending on the seasonal conditions – just don’t plant it so early that it begins sprouting. Like tulips, you want garlic to put out roots but not to send up shoots before the ground freezes. Mulch it in with some straw or peat moss after freeze up. Plant it in a wellcomposted soil and keep the garlic patch weed-free. It resents competition.

In planting from bulbs, you need to separate the cloves from the bulb (this is called “cracking”) and plant them, pointy side up, about eight to 10 inches apart and one to three inches deep, depending on the size of the clove. Be sure to leave the skin on the clove to protect it from infection and from insects. Larger bulbs and larger cloves will produce larger garlic plants and bulbs. A dressing of alfalfa meal or well-cured manure will benefit the bulbs. Give the leaves an occasional foliar spray of seaweed tea.

In August you may see some of the strappy leaves beginning to go yellow. This is not a sign that you should increase watering. Rather, it means, slow or stop watering and get ready to harvest about the time you see three to four of the leaves turning yellow. If you leave the bulbs in the ground too long, they will begin to separate and split out of their casing.

Lift the bulbs from the soil carefully. If you have planted in well-composted, well-draining soil, this should not be hard. Do not wash. Allow the soil to dry

out, after which it can be easily brushed away. Let the bulbs, with their scapes still in place, dry out for three or four days then, while the leaves are still flexible, braid them together. Allow them to continue curing for two weeks, then store them in a cool dry space – not in the refrigerator.

Don’t plant garlic in the same place two years in a row. Don’t plant in boggy soil. Don’t crowd. Don’t let the soil dry out completely. Water one inch per week.

In mythology, garlic is considered an effective vampire deterrent, maybe because vampires are blood suckers as are mosquitoes and mosquitoes are repelled by garlic. Garlic is also an anti-bacterial agent that “poisons the blood” of those who eat it. Garlic is known as the stinking rose and vampires hate the smell. It can burn your skin if you are a vampire (also, if you are not, but are sensitive). If you kill a vampire, be sure to stuff its mouth and eyes with garlic to keep it from coming back.

Does garlic really keep mosquitoes at bay? Apparently it works on some mosquitoes, but not all. There

are extra strong commercial concoctions you can use to spray in the vicinity of your patio – if you can take the smell.

Never store garlic in oil at room temperature as it is a breeding ground for botulism because of its sulfuric nature. You can store it in the refrigerator, but use it within a week. Too much garlic should also be avoided if you are being treated for HIV/AIDS or if you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin. Do not feed it to your dog. In large amounts, it is toxic to dogs.

In spite of all those warnings, garlic is actually very useful and can be very beneficial to your health – just don’t overdo it. One ounce contains 42 calories and 25 per cent of your daily manganese requirements, among other good things. It reduces blood pressure, lowers LDL (the bad cholesterol), but has no impact on HDL (the good one). It is filled with anti-oxidants and has been linked to positive effects on Alzheimer’s. It will detoxify heavy metals from your body, is good for bone health and it is said to improve athletic performance.

Wayne Weedon Food for Thought

Thomas Paine. Portrait by Auguste Millière, courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Dorothy Dobbie

Fall is the time to plant your garlic!

Manitoba on its way to being number one under Stefanson leadership

Dorothy Dobbie

“Here is where Manitoba is today,” Premier Heather Stefanson declared at a recent meeting.

“Overall, Manitoba has the third fastest growing economy in Canada after Alberta and Saskatchewan, but we have the fastest growth if you remove oil from the equation.”

She continued, “Full time employment is up 4.2% in the first half of 2023, highest among the provinces and the Manitoba has the lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 4.2%.

“Labour income us up 4.3% in 2023, third highest among provinces. International exports are up 18.7%, the second highest among provinces.

“Immigration is up 37.9%, with skilled workers strengthening Manitoba’s population and boosting economic growth.

“Manitoba manufacturing sales are up 10.4%, number one in Canada!”

She concluded, “We are gaining momentum. We need to ensure we can keep the momentum going!”

The

get diagnosed. And fear permeated our every move.

But things were changing, and, within a few months, we saw the cloud lifting. Vaccinations were helping, the virus was waning, the pent-up demand for freedom of person was building. She acted. “Enough. Open the doors. Let the fresh air in. Folks who want to stay under cover, stay there, but others are free to choose.”

Now it was time to face the terrible results of the lockdown. All those lineups. Exhausted health care workers. Retiring doctors. An economy stifled for almost three years of shut down. An election was looming in less than two years. What to do about a whole field of MLAs who were exhausted by years of service? How do you rejuvenate a government that has been in office for six years?

priorities

Twenty-one months into her leadership, Manitoba has made strides not seen in this province for 50 years! And she has just begun.

It takes time

The mantle of leadership fits differently on every shoulder. Some collapse under its burden. Some grow stronger. Heather Stefanson has grown.

When you start a new job, you are entering unknown territory, no matter how small or how large the job may be. It takes time to learn the ropes, to figure out the dynamics, how things work. Becoming premier, despite being 25 years, in office is no different.

Think back to 21 months ago – not only did Heather slip on the heavy mantle of leadership, but she also stepped into the hell of COVID-19. Everyone was angry for one reason or another – some for the restrictions, some for the fact that they felt threatened by not enough restrictions. The lineups for surgery were incredible. People were dying because they could not

Of course, she stumbled the odd time. One or two small but significant mistakes, as is any mistake when you are the leader, were made. In retrospect, they were probably useful – never take your eye off the ball! It was tough – first female premier of the province – the media didn’t know how to take her. They still don’t.

Instinctively private, she had never cultivated a vibrant public personality. It never occurred to her to “run to the head of the parade” to establish her leadership as men do. She was just doing her best and working toward a better future for our province because she has a vision. She knows where she wants to take us and it’s forward.

Hired by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to help Mila Mulroney put together an office to handle all the mail she received, Mila put it this way according to the WFP in an October 2022 article, “She’s an individual who knows what she needs to do, and she sort of directed me in that way.” Despite having more experience in life and in politics at the time, Mulroney believes she learned more from Stefanson than the future premier learned from her during those months in 1992. “She has 90 per cent of what all of us women would love to have, which is she knows exactly what she wants,” Mulroney said. “She gets up earlier than everybody, she stays up later. She manages to fill in more in her day than most everybody else. She thinks she’s no different than any other working woman or

mother. Politics is not an easy field, but she’s very good at it.”

She also gets things done!

Almost as soon as she took over office, Heather was on her way to making needed changes in the way the premier’s office runs. Fed up with a sluggish and almost moribund bureaucracy, she set up a cabinet office for economic development which she herself chairs. Michael Swistun, a chartered financial analyst, with a string of business credits to his name, was made secretary.

This whole-of-government committee allows rapid decision making and action on a wide range of government activities focused on economic growth. It includes investment and trade; finance; advanced education, skills and immigration; Indigenous reconciliation and northern relations; transportation and infrastructure; natural resources and northern development; and agriculture. Decisions are made that include all the affected players to facilitate action.

She trusts her ministers to get things done. She expects them to get things done. And they are, but there is so much more to do.

Nor has she ignored the human side of government responsibilities. The lists of accomplishments in health and welfare is even longer than those of the development side. She has tackled wait lists and chipped away at the most serious of them through bold moves such as buying help from out of the province, or wherever she can find it. She has made long awaited decisions to build schools, hire more teachers, train more health care workers, build hospitals, establish $10 a day childcare – the list goes on. She has established a task force to deal with homelessness and is tackling addiction and substance abuse.

She did all this while chairing the Council of the Federation for the past year and negotiating a better health care cost sharing deal with the feds.

The one thing she can’t do? Get the word out, thanks to a negative press who still haven’t figured out that a woman’s style is different from that of a man.

She doesn’t dwell on this. In her usual get-it-done style, she just puts her head down and continues to work. She listens to people, not reporters, she would say. And she is out there every day, listening to you, hearing you, and making the tough decision about how to reconcile differing opinions while doing the very best job possible for all.

The writ is dropped; bigger pay cheques for all Manitobans

To create bigger paycheques for all Manitobans, a re-elected PC government will cut the tax rate on the first $47,000 of lowest provincial income tax bracket in half over the next four years, representing a 1.35% tax reduction annually, PC Leader Heather Stefanson announced today.

For the average income of $50,000, that amounts to savings of $1,900 per year by 2028, or roughly the equivalent of an extra paycheque every year, providing long-term tax relief for Manitobans.

“The cost-of-living crisis requires more than temporary action. It requires ongoing commitment,” Stefanson said. “Manitobans are worried about the very real threat of tax increases under the NDP. The PCs are committed to permanently lowering taxes because we know that is the roadmap to a more prosperous society where all can benefit.

“The NDP wants to bribe Manitobans with your own money and temporary measures— we’re here to help you for the long term,” she said.

The promised tax changes are made possible by strong provincial growth revenues and the early results of economic development initiatives undertaken

by the PC government, Stefanson said. The changes will be done with fiscal responsibility in mind and will build on historic tax measures in Budget 2023, which increased the Basic Personal Amount and has already resulted in an extra $75 per month in tax savings for Manitobans, most meaningfully for the lowest earners.

Balancing the budget

The provincial budget will be balanced by 2025 under a re-elected PC government, Stefanson said. That’s two years ahead of schedule, and all while lowering taxes and making record investments into healthcare, education, and infrastructure across Manitoba. “Manitobans can also rest assured that these savings will not come at the expense of the services they need, want, and deserve. We know that the only way to prosperity for all our citizens is to grow the economy. A bigger pie feeds everyone better while increasing government revenues.”

“There is a lot of instability in the world, but here’s something you can count on,” she added. “A Progressive Conservative government understands how to bring prosperity to all Manitobans because we have the experience and the plan to make it happen.”

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erations under the banner of Listen Easy. Talk is on the agenda with two garden shows and other topics in the making.

Currently the shows are taped but the station has done a couple of live on-air spots with Colorado Phil and plans

Carbon Tax to be removed from heating bills

Manitobans also continue to be punished by the unfair NDP-Liberal Carbon Tax which is doing nothing to mitigate climate change in our province.

The PCs have previously committed to fighting the carbon tax on Manitoba Hydro. Now, after receiving a favourable legal opinion, a re-elected PC government will instruct Manitoba Hydro to immediately remove the carbon tax from all Hydro bills within the first 10 days of a new PC mandate, Stefanson said. This will not only help homeowners but will be a major boost for small businesses such as greenhouses and for farmers, allowing them to prosper and hire more people or pay higher wages.

“This is just the start of our plan to help you make ends meet, keep our health-care system on the road to recovery, fight violent crime, and create jobs, growth and opportunities in every corner of Manitoba,” the Premier said.

“I promised to fight for Manitobans, and I am going to keep fighting for you!”

The provincial election will be held on October 3, 2023.

to offer more of this in future.

The station is on 24 hours. 365 days a year. Tune in and tell your friends. And look for updates every month right here in Lifestyles 55 magazine! To listen, go here: http://www.lifestyles55radio.ca/

Heather Stefanson

Premier’s

Hampton Street and Bourkevale Drive

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 Hampton Street and Bourkevale Drive.

In the 1907 Henderson Directory. Hampton Street residents are listed for the first time. One of these residents, John Hallett, a market gardener, was born in 1867. In the 1940s, John retired as a market gardener. By 1967, John, who had moved to Overdale, became the Honorary Mayor of St. James during Canada's Centennial Year. Let us examine a bit of the history of the street that the Honorary Mayor called home for much of his life. Portage Avenue and Hampton Street, and Hampton (now Bourkevale Drive) south of Portage.

John Walmsley was one of the few Hampton Street residents to live south of Portage. Around 1950, Hampton Street south of Portage was suddenly developed and the name changed to Bourkevale Drive.

John and Louisa Walmsleys kept their house number but suddenly had a different street name. Mr. Walmsley served as a St. James Alderman from 1931 to 1934, and from 1936 to 1939. Between 1939 and 1952, Mr. Walmsley was the secretary treasurer of the St. James School Board. In 1960, a church window at St. James Anglican Church was erected in memory of Louisa Walmsley.

Stanley Walter Knowles (not the politician) lived on Bourkevale Drive. Stanley worked for 40 years at the Bay. He had a real talent for making handmade signs and setting up displays.

Stanley and Maude's daughter Shelia was an employee of CJAY during the early days of the television station.

Randy De Paiva, a member of St. James Anglican Church, grew up on Bourkevale Drive. Randy was a church organist, Sunday School teacher, and a church volunteer at St. James Anglican. He left us much too soon at the age of 25 in 1988.

The corner of Portage and Hampton has been home to a variety of businesses. Gone but not forgotten are a Shop Easy Store where my cousin Harry Corless worked before beginning his career as a police officer, the BA gas station operated by William Brand, the accounting office of former Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce Chair Ken Eisner. The corner currently features

Midland Appliances, a 7-11, and Rafe's Yafa Cafe with homestyle Arabic Street Dishes.

Portage To Ness

Dr John Henry Conklin practiced medicine for 36 years in St. James. Most of this time was spent practicing out of an office on Hampton Street. Dr. Conklin was a St. James alderman for six years, and a school trustee for 25 years.

On December 9, 1917. Archbishop Alfred Sinnott blessed St. Anns Roman Catholic Church on Hampton Street. Between 1920 and 1971, a school operated out of the church. Father Francis Xavier MacAulay served as the parish priest between 1933-72. During the 1990s, Wilfred Daniels was the parish priest. Wilfred had been a lineman for the 1941 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Grey Cup championship team. After being an executive Kraft Foods, Wilfred became a priest during his retirement years. While preparing this article, I learned about the passing of Sister Alice Konefall. Sister Konefall was the St. Anns parish administrator between 1989 and 2009. Sister Konefall also served as a teacher at St. Mary's Academy and the principal of the Holy Cross School. Since 1917, the current St. Anns building has been in continued use. No other church building in St. James (as defined by the 1921-1966 boundaries of St. James which were just west of St. James Street to Sturgeon Road) has been in continuous use longer by the same congregation.

Since 1912, several churches have called 221 Hampton Street home. In 1912, the Presbyterians built a church at this location. On September 14, 1929, Joseph Cotter chaired the dedication of the St. James Salvation Army Hall. At the time of this dedication, Mr. Cotter was both the MLA Assiniboia (which included St. James), and the Reeve of St. James. The St. James Salvation Army remained at 221 Hampton Street until 2007. The West End Christian Community Church is currently located at this address.

Since 1959, Brathwaite Drugs has operated on the southeast corner of Ness and Hampton. Brathwaite’s offers city wide prescription deliveries. Brathwaite’s sells stamps, cards, lotteries tickets, gift wares, chips, and drinks. For our medical needs, Brathwaite’s offers blood pressure monitors, blood sugar monitors, and first aid kits. The drug store has been operated by Frank Brathwaite, Earl McCallum,

Craig McCallum and the current owners Christine and Geoff Hayden. Since 1994, Leather Master has been located on the northwest corner of Ness and Hampton. Owner Yussef Abadi sells high quality leather fashions. Also, Leather Master does custom tailoring. North of Ness Britannia School opened in 1911. Additions were added in 1954 and 1961. Some of the Principals included Clarence Moore, Robert Paris, Harold Murphy, and Paul Pura. Mr. Moore later became the Mayor of Virden. In 1970, Stevenson Junior High at 1777 Silver Avenue opened as a Junior High School. Stevenson was named in memory of Frederick Stevenson, an aviation pioneer. In the fall of 1970, the first student presidents Ron Riopka and Steve Pajot joined Frederick Stevenson's sisters Alice, Anne, and Mrs. George Watson in dedicating a plaque in Memory of Frederick.

In early 1979, teacher Sally Lesage and students Jon Trepanier and Cheryl Hodgins are pictured in a newspaper archive at a Britannia School Valentines Day Party. In June 1979, the 1911 building closed as a public school. Students were relocated into the 1954 and 1961 buildings. The 1911 building was demolished in 1982. As enrollments continued to decline, the Junior High students of Stevenson relocated to George Waters School. The Stevenson School became an elementary school. The school is now known as Stevenson Britannia. There is currently a Little Free Library in front of the school. (A sign of the times.)

In recent decades, the 1954 and 1961 buildings have remained in use. In 1983, Discovery Day Care (originally known as the Roseberry Day Care) moved from Roseberry Street to Hampton Street. Ron Blatz served as the Executive Director between 1981 and 2021. In 2001, the Manitoba Child Care Association named Ron the Child Care Director of the Year. Discovery have regularly expanded their programs and improved the surrounding playground facilities.

In 1987 George and Connie Waters played an instrumental role in establishing the Laureate Academy for students with learning disabilities. During their 14 years on Hampton Street, the Laureate Academy held December Social Studies Fairs highlighting a current theme. The topics included Manitoba's 125 Anniversary, the 1998 Winter Olympics, and the 2000 Millenium. The Laureate Academy is currently located in St. Norbert.

The Horizon Children Centre began as a tot shop operating in one of the Deer Lodge United Church buildings at 2093 Portage. After the unnecessary 2004 closure of the Deer Lodge Unit-

ed Church, Horizons relocated in 2006 to Hampton Street. Horizons recently hosted a lemonade stand to raise funds for Cancer Care.

After the 1963 demolition of the Kenaston Street Border Community Club because of the expansion of the St. James Bridge, a new Border Community Club was built at 471 Hampton Street. The land had previously been zoned for single dwelling homes. Why did no Border Community Club hockey players participate in the 1966 first St. James Civic Centre Game? In 1975, Border and the Collegiate Street Airways Community Club merged on the Hampton Street site. The club was now called Bord Aire (yes, the “e” belongs at end of the name). Karen Soares is the current president of the Bord Aire Community Club. The club activities include sports, movie nights, a dart night, summer workshops of Art City, being the venue for the Budapest, Hungary 2023 Folklorama Pavilion, and a meeting of the neighbourhood watch group.

For more than 40 years, there was a grocery store at 400 Hampton Street across from Britannia School. The proprietors included Nora Simpson, Stella Sharpe, and Irene Abuda.

Human interest stories and a miracle

Joan Stevens, a leap year baby, was born on February 29, 1932. On October 1, 1940, Chris Scaife scored a hole in one on the 13th hole of the Polo Park Golf Club. In 1946, Donna Randle, the President of the St. James Collegiate (located on Linwood Street) Girls Glee Club, won the Governor Generals Medal. In 1961, Jill Harwood became the vice president of the newly founded Winnipeg Writers Society. Charles and Mary Hutcheon were married for 62 years.

Miracle in a Row Boat (page 1 of the Winnipeg Free Press August 10, 1964). The family of Joe and Rose Solvason went to Winnipeg Beach. On August 6, 1964, Joe and his 10-year-old son Rob got in a rowboat at Stephenson Point to go fishing. The expedition quickly took a turn for the worse. Joe and Rob became stranded in the middle of Lake Winnipeg. After 12 hours adrift Joe and Rob managed to reach Patricia Beach on the other side of Lake Winnipeg.

Your feedback is welcome. I would like to remind readers that I will be hosting a St. James Trivia Night at the St. James Civic Centre 2055 Ness Avenue on Saturday September 23, 2023. Doors open at 7 PM and the program will be 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM. The 50 questions and 50 prizes will all have a connection to St. James.

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

Fred Morris From the desk of a gadfly

Lionhead Meatballs the Chinese way

If you think the meatballs from Italy are amazing, you have tried nothing until you try these. A Chinese delicacy typically served on special occasions or celebratory events. “Spring festival” comes to mind. These meatballs are light and airy inside, crispy outside, and the sauce that compliments them extremely intoxicating and flavorful.

What are Lionhead Meatballs? Lionhead

Meatballs are large pork meatballs that are either steamed or braised and served with vegetables. Their name derives from their shape, which resembles the head of a Chinese guardian lion, or foo dog.

Lionhead Meatballs is also a classic dish from Huaiyang, one of the four major cuisines in China, representing the culinary traditions of Eastern China and primarily Jiangsu Province. There are two varieties of Lionhead Meatballs. One version is plain, usually steamed/ cooked in broth and served with napa-cabbage, and one is braised in soy sauce. Typically, this dish calls for fatty pork I have settled for ground, which is more on the meaty side, though it has enough fat to be flavorful and succulent. It is known as the “red cooked” version!

Here is what you will need

1 lb ground pork

1 slice of ginger

1 scallion

1 large egg

1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine

1 tablespoon light soy sauce

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

½ teaspoon white pepper

¼ teaspoon five spice powder

1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch

¼ cup of water

½ can of water chestnuts

Vegetable oil to fry with

For the sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 slices ginger

2 scallions

2 teaspoons rock sugar

1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine

1 ½ tablespoons light soy sauce

¼ teaspoon dark soy sauce

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 ¾ cups of water

1 teaspoon cornstarch

¼ teaspoon sesame oil

Baby bok choy

The all important how to For the meatballs

Place the ground pork into a large mixing bowl. Add the minced ginger and scallion, egg, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, five spice powder, cornstarch, and water.

Mix everything in one direction for about 10 minutes, until the meat mixture comes to a paste like consistency. (This step is very important in making sure the meatballs have the right texture and don’t fall apart during frying).

Finely chop the water chestnuts. Once finely chopped, add to the meat mixture and continue to mix everything together for a further 5 more minutes. Use a rubber spatula to scrape everything together, it will be a very wet consistency.

Heat enough oil to submerge the meatballs in a small, deep pot to 350° F. Be sure there’s enough oil to cook the meatballs evenly, but that the oil will not overflow during frying. I used an outdoor fish fryer, saves the aroma not permeating the home.

Oiled hands work best. This stops the mixture from sticking. Divide the meat mixture into 8 or 9 equal portions then shape each into a ball. Carefully lower the meatballs, one at a time, into the heated oil and fry in batches (3 minutes per batch) until they’re evenly golden brown. Remove the part-cooked meatballs carefully and set to one side. Cook all meatballs.

Making the sauce and braising

Place 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok over a

low heat. Add the ginger and white parts only of the scallions and cook for 1 minute. Then add the rock sugar, stir and cook until dissolved.

Add 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, 1 ½ tablespoons light soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce and 1 ¾ cups water. Stir and bring the liquid to a boil.

Once boiling, add the fried meatballs. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes over medium/low heat, simmering them keeps the moisture inside, flip the meatballs during this time.

After simmering, there should be about 1 cup liquid left. Remove the meatballs from the liquid and arrange on your serving plate.

Mix your cornstarch with a little cold water and pour carefully into the sauce to thicken. Once you achieve the consistency you are looking for stir in ¼ teaspoon sesame oil and the green parts of the scallions. When the scallions are slightly wilted, drizzle the sauce over the meatballs. And that’s it. These meatballs have a very different flavour but will for sure be a hit.

A couple of tips: Don’t be tempted to skip the frying step in the recipe. The meatball mixture is very moist, and frying sets the shape of the meatballs, so they don’t fall apart during braising.

When dividing the meat into balls, try making 8 or 9, both very auspicious numbers within the Chinese culture. The number 8 in Chinese represents wealth and good fortune, while the number 9 represents longevity!

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

A dedicated follower of fashion (The Kinks - 1966)

Ihave always tried my best to look my best when attending large public events where it is expected men show up dressed appropriately. In days of yore a black tie meant a real black bow tie, not a clip on. Most men these days wouldn’t even know how to properly tie one. At one time, a well-dressed man might have been described as a Pip, a Dapper Dan, a Beau Brummel or at the very least a Dandy. Well, times have changed and so has fashion.

The first two people who influenced me in the importance of looking presentable were my father and my grandmother. My father had three pairs of footwear, work boots (he was a carpenter), a pair of slippers for around the house (they were more of an old timey style that were more shoe than slipper) and a pair of dress shoes. He would never walk to the corner store

without putting on a pair of dress slacks, a clean shirt and dress shoes.

I remember being about six or seven years old when I heard my grandmother say, “You can always tell a man by his shoes.” I was likely six or seven when I think I finally had some idea of what she meant. My father taught me how to properly shine a pair of shoes, something I had to learn and do when I started Cubs. A few years later it was mandatory in Navy League and Sea Cadets. Spit and polish as it were.

Back then every man knew he wore black shoes with a dark suit or blazer and brown shoes with any suit or sport jacket with most any other colour. Not now. Brown shoes can be worn with any colour you choose, especially every shade in the blue spectrum. Our Prime Minister is a perfect example. Am I starting to sound like an old codger yet?

I own two tuxedos, both of which are old enough to vote. I’m certain it’s just a matter of time before either one or both come back in style. I also have a white dinner jacket which I am sure I will never wear unless I happen to go on a cruise, which I won’t. The good news is it’s now considered de rigueur to wear a regular plain black tie with either instead of a bow tie. Still looks classy and besides, I’ve forgotten how to tie the damn thing.

As we begin seeing more fundraising dinners and other charitable or special events returning after the lengthy COVID recess, I wonder if some folks might have forgotten how to get all gussied up in their best bib and tucker after wearing pajamas for three years. I hope not. In the end, remember, you’re never fully dressed without a smile. It’s still one of the few things in life that’s free.

Jim was a writer-broadcaster and producer on television and radio for 40 years. He is also a podcast host on Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio. Find Radio Redux, Mid-Century Memories and many others at www.whatsupwinnipeg.ca/lifestyles-55digital-radio/

Ian Leatt Foodies

Jim Ingebrigtsen

Every child matters

On Saturday, September 30, 2023, we honour the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time for reflection on our tragic and painful past and on how we can make amends moving forward.

Children’s Hospital

Foundation of Manitoba is a champion of children’s health, and we’re committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action, specifically Action 22:

We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients. (TRC Action item 22)

to begin in 2024.

The healing space is just one of the many initiatives the Foundation supports to help kids from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities who need HSC Children’s, like Jenalyn.

I want to share Jenalyn’s story with you, because the Indigenous Healing Space has been designed with families like hers in mind.

Living

In 2021, Jenalyn had flu-like symptoms of headaches, dizziness and tiredness during an outbreak of COVID-19 in her Cree community of Norway House. The family took her to the local hospital for testing, and later she was rushed there by ambulance when her symptoms got worse.

Her condition continued to progress so Jenalyn’s mother, Jennifer, made the decision to take her daughter on the 805 km trip to Winnipeg. They were far from home, and their support system.

Unfortunately, Jenalyn came down with the same strain again in 2022 and the symptoms came on faster and stronger. This time Jenalyn was medivacked to HSC Children’s where medications were started right away. Jenalyn spent several days sleeping and not responding, but eventually recovered.

dren’s are from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities just like Jenalyn. In Manitoba Indigenous children are three to five times more likely to be affected by several diseases/conditions that require long-term care, which often means visiting the hospital for years.

The Foundation is deeply committed to supporting families like Jenalyn’s and in 2019 began an intentional journey towards ReconciliACTION. We reached out to Indigenous leaders to learn the best approach for engaging the Indigenous community and supporting reconciliation efforts, began in-depth training for our staff and board, and supported other Indigenous-led projects like the creation of a Spirit Bear mask in partnership with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, to help protect Indigenous youth from COVID-19.

Thanks to donors’ generosity a special project for reconciliation, led and imagined by Indigenous women, is moving forward at HSC Children’s Hospital – the Indigenous Community Healing Space will provide culturally safe care for Indigenous families. Construction is expected

At HSC Children’s emergency department, Jenalyn was diagnosed with meningitis causing acute inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Fourteen days later, Jenalyn was her happy smiling self and ready to go home.

Jennifer is grateful to the Children’s Hospital doctors, nurses, and Child Life specialists who took such good care of her daughter and to donors who support the hospital to ensure it is ready for emergency situations for all kids across the province.

Over 60% of kids who need HSC Chil-

Reconciliation is very close to our hearts as an organization. The Foundation will continue to advance our work towards ReconciliACTION under the guidance and direction of the Indigenous Advisory Circle, to honour all the little feet that have walked these lands for thousands of years and those that will walk across these lands in the years to come.

Learn more at goodbear.ca/ReconciliACTION.

Stefano Grande is President and CEO, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

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

When we are young, we haven’t a care in the world, and as we progress through life we learn to adapt to all of those experiences, forever learning and developing new skills while passing on our words of advice to the next generation.

Where am I going with all of this? The family home! That’s right, the home you purchased as a young couple. The home you lived in raising your family. The home that you currently live in, but perhaps, like many, the home that is raising fears about how you will cope in the future. I know “fears” is an odd word to use, but there are some places that the bravest of us now worry about having to face. The bathroom?

How do we make the bathroom a place that holds no fears? There are a number of small adjustments you can make so your bathroom and your whole home can become a safer place.

• Handrails

• Lever handles

• Lever handle taps

• Scald-proof taps

• Comfort height toilet

• Walk in shower

• Shower wand

• Heated towel rails

• Bathtub Insert

• Grab bars

These small improvements can lead to living at home longer. No more worrying about downsizing, you have more time to reside where all your memories and personal comforts are. Comfort is what is always needed. Care and consideration for you is a paramount concern.

Connect with a reputable renovator and they will help you to overcome potential dangers, making you that much more secure and independent.

Brent Poole is the owner operator of Handy Hands Construction, which he has run with his father Jim since 1997. A carpenter by trade, Brent enjoys all types of projects. “We’re not happy until you are happy!” With a little help there are ways to make your bathroom safer.

Stefano Grande Healthy

Jenalyn.

– Auckland Arts Festival 2020

Snow White, a spellbinding transformation of the Brothers’ Grimm fairy tale, delivers a boldly seductive story. Its fresh and enthralling take on the timeless tension between young Snow White and her jealous stepmother the Queen, is both strikingly sensual and powerfully contemporary – and with high fashion costumes by the legendary fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier, a stunning visual spectacle too.

Snow White is not only the Canadian premiere for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB), it showcases everything the RWB does best – bold character acting, creative interpretations of familiar stories, and larger-than-life staging and costumes. André Lewis, the RWB’s Artistic Director & CEO sums up his passion for Snow White by saying: “I have been aspiring to bring this production to Winnipeg for years and now it is like “living the dream.”

Masterminded by acclaimed French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, this beguiling blend of dance, design and art has reawakened the classic

story’s themes of beauty and envy for a new age. Combined with soaring sets and the epic symphonies of Gustav Mahler, Snow White is nothing less than visionary!

In the words of Angelin Preljocaj:

“I was very keen to tell a story. I wanted to do something completely different, write something very concrete and offer something magical and enchanted.

Snow White is a narrative ballet with its own dramatic content. It is not easy to tell a story through dance and that is what is so fascinating. How do you get the story across? With Snow White, I’m using an argument that everyone knows, which allows me to concentrate on what is being said by the bodies, the energies, and the space and what the characters feel and experience in order to show how the bodies are transcended.

I have followed the version by the Grimm brothers, with just a few personal variations based on my own analysis of the tale. The wicked stepmother is

without a doubt the central character. She is the one who I examine through her narcissistic determination not to give up on seduction and her role as a woman, even if it means sacrificing her stepdaughter.

This ballet is particularly important to me – and I insist on the word “ballet” as it brings together the dancers of the company. They will be dancing to Mahler’s symphonies, whose magnificent excesses are of a romantic nature. Trying to move people emotionally is a delicate undertaking. Mahler’s music has to be used with enormous care, but it is a risk I am keen to take.”

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents Snow White from September 28 - October 1, 2023 at the Centennial Concert Hall. For more information and to secure your seats, please visit rwb.org or call 204.956.2792. Join us for the darkly delectable Snow White! See you there! Presented with the generous support of the Estate of Kevin & Els Kavanagh. Arts Partner – Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Rated PG-13 for Suggestive Content

u A tribute to Elton John at the International Peace Garden

Continued from page 1

beautiful Peace Garden fall afternoon where visitors will see a stunning colour change through the aspen forest, oak, larch and maple stands.

Although summer is coming to a close, we invite you to continue enjoying our grounds and the intersection of the arts and culture with nature's serene and wild surroundings.

A buffet in the Conservatory will run from 4:30 to 6:30, followed by doors opening at the acoustically rich Burdick Center for the Performing Arts. The Burdick Center is one of the finest arts performance spaces in the Upper Plains and hosts seven weeks of International Music Camp and the many talented artists that perform, teach and study on site every summer.

Epic Elton will be a great evening for you and your friends to enjoy world-

class entertainment at the border. Big sunglasses and boas, anyone?!

Considered one of the best Elton John Tribute Artists in North America, Jeff Scott was the official entertainer for the North American Premiere of Rocketman. Colorful costumes, skilled piano playing and distinctive Elton John vocals accompany the star’s flamboyant look, style and mannerisms. Jeff's 20-years of experience in the role makes audiences feel they are in the presence of “musical royalty”.

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.

• $50 per ticket

• Saturday September 23rd at 7 PM in the Burdick Center for the Performing Arts

• Come for the buffet in the conservatory 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM - $35 per person

• The Epic Elton repertoire features so many of Sir Elton John’s biggest hits –the songs we all know and love covering over 5 decades of music. When the spotlight hits – goosebumps are guaranteed!

• Jeff Scott has been performing the music for over 20 years

• Based out of Richmond Hill, ON, he is one of the best Elton John Tribute Artists in North America. He was the official entertainer for the North American Premiere of Rocketman

• Featuring colorful costumes, skilled piano playing and those distinctive Elton John vocals, channeling the star’s flamboyant look, style and mannerisms, Jeff makes audiences feel they are in the presence of “musical royalty”.

“High fashion meets iconic fairy tale in this darkly delectable retelling of Snow White.”

Jaimi Deleau in RWB’s 2023 Snow White. Photo by David Cooper.

Chenxin Liu of RWB’s 2023 Snow White. Photo by David Cooper.

Tim Chapman

The changing of seasons

With the lovely fall season upon us, it is a perfect time to think about feeding wild birds in winter. Getting the right setup done in fall will help you to attract birds during their migration and to let year-round species know your yard will be a place to visit. Manitoba has a great variety of birds in winter, with several species only visiting bird feeders in that season. Here are some things to consider in getting your yard all ready.

First, we must talk about the benefits to YOU in feeding wild birds during the long, cold winter months. It is no secret many of us become hermits in winter; some of us because we just don’t enjoy the season, but for others who may have disabilities, it is difficult to get out. Depression is also very prevalent in winter and can even be more severe for those who suffer with it year-round. Feeding birds is a great way to connect with nature in winter and there is no question how nature can positively affect our spirit. Watching the

constant activity of beautiful birds flitting about the yard really is a joyful thing. The brightly colored blue jay along with the friendly and loyal black-capped chickadees is something that can really be addicting! Then, add the lovely rose-colored red polls – a sweet winter finch– a variety of woodpeckers and the ever-comical nuthatches and you have your own wild bird sanctuary! It is a great way to bring colour and life to your backyard in what can seem like a long, dark season.

Friends

To begin, if you want to keep it very simple, getting a universal feeder that will accommodate all sizes of birds is important. A tube feeder is a favourite option and good quality ones will allow you to add a tray to the bottom which serves as a landing platform for larger species and will catch any seeds that may fall. Fill this feeder with black oil sunflower and you will attract a wide variety of birds yearround! It is important to avoid a general wild bird mix, as these tend to have a high content of ‘filler’ which causes birds to

Sri Lankan seniors

scatter the seed and throw it all over the ground. Mixes can also attract house sparrows, which are non-native birds that can be serious bullies to all the birds you want to see. There are some premium seed mixes on the market but the majority of them are a waste of money and can cause a real mess and even attract unwanted critters.

Suet feeders are a personal favourite of mine. This is the ultimate attraction for many species of beautiful woodpeckers but nuthatches and chickadees also enjoy suet. Suet is beef or venison fat that is mixed with nuts and fruit or even insects. Beware, though. Some commercial suet has inadequate nutrients, which has caused many people to have no success with suet. Look for quality brands that do not contain seed mixes in them.

There are also many inappropriate make-your-own suet recipes that call for lard or bacon fat. Both of these fat sources are not suet by definition, but are pork based. Pork fat is difficult for birds to digest. Bacon fat is also high in sodium. Please use only beef or venison suet if you wish to make your own. If you are adding peanut butter, be sure to add an equal amount of corn meal to aid in digestion.

Peanuts are a real treat for wild birds in winter and high in calories. There are

feeders designed to offer both peanuts in the shell or shelled. These are a great way to feed blue jays at their own station but will also cater to many other birds too. Always make sure peanuts are raw or roasted only and never salted. You can offer other nuts too like walnuts, cashews, etc., as long as they are also not salted.

Nyjer feeders are great in winter to attract seasonal finches such as red polls but sometimes even American goldfinches can be around in winter. Their plumage changes from yellow to gray in winter so keep watch!

Window feeders are a great way for people of all ages to see birds up close and can even deter window collisions. There are pole systems available where you can have several feeders on one station to make it easy to place the feeders in a convenient location for both viewing and filling in winter.

There are so many options to what you can do to bring some nature into your yard this season and throughout the year. Don't let those winter blues get you down this season, let Mother Nature come to the rescue with her beautiful wild birds and let the smiles begin. Happy Birding!

Sherrie Versluis owns the Preferred Perch and is an avid birder.

Senaka Samarasinghe

Collaborated with Pembina Active Living

Susan Fletcher, the Executive Director of Pembina Assisted Living (PAL), invited SLSM to participate for a picnic on Thurs., Aug 22, 2023, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at St. Norbert Farmers’ Market Canopy.

Sri Lankan Folktale Drama was our main contribution not only to PAL but also to other invitees. A number of stalls offered a variety of social, educational and creative programs. The Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba and Alzheimer Society of Manitoba rendered valuable sets of information. When PAL

requested SLSM to nominate one of our members to the PAL Board of Directors, we nominated Ismath. As Vice President, Ismath took a lead role. SLSM members are proud of him. My sister Thilaka, residing in Medicine Hat too attended as these days she is in Winnipeg.

Hon. Janice Lukes, Deputy Mayor, City of Winnipeg proposed an idea with the President and some Office Bearers of SLSM to call for an event to expose close similarities of two cities between Winnipeg and Colombo. Daya Perera proposed a date for this on Feb. 4, 2024, as it will be the 40th Anniversary of establishing Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba. Janice proposed a few venues to conduct such an event. Indra, President SLSM, suggested the Board of Directors will make a compre-

hensive plan on this venture.

Trip on Prairie Dog Central Railway

Prairie Dog Central Railway (PDCR) trip organized by Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba (SLSM) on Aug. 26, 2023. The trip started at 11:00 am from rural community rail-station at Inkster Junction (Prairie Dog Trail, Rosser).

Within 45 minutes, the train reached Grosse Isle. In this village we spent nearly two hours, had lunch and visited the restored Ridgway Heritage House (which was built in 1886 and moved in 2006), East Rosser School and the church. This train is available only from May to September.

SLSM arranged this outing not only for seniors but also for all family members including kids. There were 48 adults with six kids. Of those joining us, there

were seven parents from Sri Lanka visiting their children. My sister, Thilaka, an SLSM member now living in Medicine Hat, Alberta, also joined us. Only 36 can be accommodated in a single compartment so the overflow joined the adjacent carriage.

During the travel time, we met newcomers, and everyone joined in our singsongs, too. Train authorities had arranged for a travel attendant for each compartment to assist and to maintain safety of passengers.

Further, a guitarist walked across all carriages to provide entertainment. All travellers had lunch at Grosse Isle under the canopy close to the rail station and visited Heritage House, school and church kept for exhibition. All came back safely to Winnipeg in time.

Plant your own birdfeeders.

Now’s the time to get ready for long winter ahead.

Sherrie Versluis Feathered

Getting something to eat at the St. Norbert's Farmers Market.

Preparing to board the Prairie Dog Central Railway.

Where else can I geocache?

The short answer, almost anywhere. Whether you visit the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower or the White House you can Geocache. Vatican City has geocaches. Geocaches are hidden in 191 different countries on all seven continents (even Antarctica). Some distant caches may be a bit difficult to get to though. I really don’t think we will be able to get to the one on the International Space Station (GC1BE91). We did, however, discover the TB on the Mars Perseverance Rover (TB5EFXK).

As I write this article my wife and I are preparing for a geocaching trip across the border. We plan to get a few caches in at least two states. At one time the prime reason for us crossing any borders, aside from it being a vacation, was shopping, but now that is parallel with Geocaching.

While travelling you can stop at one or more of the many events that may be happening in the area you plan to be in. Geocachers are literally one big family and all you have to do is enter the area of the event, sign the log sheet and turn and say hi to the first person there. You will immediately be immersed in conversation, no different than right here at home.

There are some events close to home that are easy to get to such as the annual Gilby Gone Wild event where the community literally more than doubles its population. It is in … Gilby, North Dakota. There are many others that are waiting for you to make plans to travel to all over the world.

Gary Brown Geocaching

You don’t need to wait for an event though to travel. Our trip south this week is merely to obtain regular caches such as the traditionals, mysteries, and maybe a letterbox or two. The bonus is that we will see more of the communities that we are used to traveling to by wandering around finding caches. Usually when we are mixing geocaching with shopping we end up finding shops that are normally out of the area we frequent and of course we come closer to the limit of “stuff” we are allowed to bring back without paying duty.

We must not forget the geocaches closer to home though. For each province there is a list of their ten oldest caches. These are always fun to find. The oldest geocache in Manitoba is in Killarney (GC21C) and of course they go from Newfoundland GCE1C) to BC (GC1DD). There is a challenge cache in Winnipeg which challenges you to

get a cache for every month since the sport began. It is the Jasmer challenge (GC7ZQR4) and it is still possible to get a cache for every month. Some travel will be required for this.

Events happen all over Canada from the annual GeoWoodstock events in BC to the Maritime Mega Events in Nova Scotia which is where the oldest geocache in Canada (GCBBA) is. Closer to home there is an annual event at the Zoo, the Journey With A Friend Zoo Event (GCACXCR) coming up this fall as well as CITOs, Ewaste event, ice cream events and others in Winnipeg. There are many other places to keep an eye on such as Morden, Brandon and especially Dauphin where one of the many legends of geocaching resides.

Watch our Facebook page as well as the website for events coming this winter regarding technology and general information. They could be training events or general discussion events regarding geocaching. Possible topics so far are using a cell phone without data to find Adventure Labs, how to get accurate coordinates when placing a cache, how to find regular caches without an active cell phone or GPS receiver and many others.

Watch for us on the trail, we’ll be watching for you.

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

False economies lead to very real dangers

Many Manitobans take pride in our abilities to make tight budgets work. We are naturally thrifty people. Some might call this a vice, but in Manitoba this thriftiness is balanced with a reputation for incredible generosity to causes and individuals who need our help. On a personal level, we find ways to stretch limited resources in creative ways, we do things ourselves that we could pay others for, we share resources, use thrift stores for re-cycling and finding different kinds of products that can be of use to our households, we wait for sales and bargains. Sometimes our dual natures of thrift and generosity can ensure that we have unintended consequences that lead to dysfunctional systems, programs, and organizations.

We can rebalance things quite easily in our personal lives if we are committed to change. However, when our whole province seems to be caught in a whole range of collective services and programs that have become outrageously expensive and yet struggle to provide adequate services to our population, we really need to put our best thinking resources to finding better solutions for people and institutions in

Manitoba. Our increasing political polarization does not help in the least. These are not problems of the right or the left, these are problems of people who want to live in a safe, prosperous, well-run community. We need to rebalance our systems so that they can provide collective services like health care, education, transportation, child-welfare, justice, policing, fire safety, Indigenous reconciliation, social services, culture, universities, business development, agriculture, and community enhancements in an efficient, effective, and excellent manner. We want to live in Manitoba, and we don’t want to pay excessive taxes, but we also want our overall community to work well.

We really need our politicians at the federal, provincial, and municipal level of every party affiliation to put aside their partisan squabbling and put their best thinking to work for the benefit of all of us. I fear that if we do not address some of the major imbalances very soon, we will be in a desperate state in Manitoba.

Sometimes we think that we can save dollars by not providing certain services and supports for individuals and communities that need extra help, and we end

of paying many multiples of the required investment in health care, policing, and justice costs. When we do not pay general practitioners adequately and make their bureaucratic requirements onerous, we should not be surprised that many people cannot find the basic health care supports they need to maintain their health. When we do not seriously address the concerns and needs of the Indigenous community members in a respectful and collaborative way, we cannot be surprised when the impact of generations of unfairness puts tremendous pressure on every system we have in place in the province. When we do not plan adequately for the stresses that our aging baby boom population will put on our health care and community housing systems, we will reap decades of incredible challenges. When we send a firetruck and firemen to deal with emergency health issues requiring paramedics and an ambulance, we cannot be surprised that we have more complicated health issues to deal with in hospitals in very short order. When hospitals are filled with seniors who should be in personal care homes, we cannot be surprised that the hospital hallways are filled with patients who cannot access bed space in the wards. When we are not able to address some of the major environmental issues relating to our water supplies, our climate issues, and the threats of wildfires to wreak incredible damage, we are dooming our children and grandchildren to a lifetime of threats

10 Neat things about lawns in fall

1. Leaf it be. We used to spend backbreaking hours raking leaves, piling them into bags and carrying them off to the nearest recycle bin. But the latest advice (and the wisest, too) is to use your lawn mower to mulch the fallen leaves into the lawn. Try it! It may take a couple more passes with the lawn mower to make the leaves disappear, but eventually they will be cut up into small nutritious bites that will feed your grass.

2. Your trees will love you. It is not only the lawn that will benefit from not raking. The trees from which the leaves fell will also be grateful. After all, that is the natural cycle: leaves fall. Worms and other creatures pull the fallen leaf underground. The nutrients stored in the leaf are returned to the earth and then to the tree.

3. The myth about thatch. You may also have been bagging grass clippings on the understanding that doing this will avoid “thatch” buildup. If thatch does become an issue, it won’t be from leaving or mulching lawn clippings, unless you have

been mowing very long grass on a habitual basis. Thatch buildup comes mostly from the interlinking grass roots of the living plant. This happens most often with lawns growing in acidic conditions or where grass has been overwatered and overfed, causing it to grow too quickly.

4. Out damned thatch! Don’t let thatch get beyond a half-inch thick, because this can deprive the grass of light, repel rain or even, in wet years, keep the ground too soggy resulting in root rot and fungal disease. If true thatch does build up in your lawn, get the lawn aerated.

5. Don’t damn the thatch. It’s not all bad. A little thatch can even be good as it serves as mulch, keeping moisture in and roots cool. Grass seed will grow in it, too, and give you a nice springy lawn.

6. Nitrogen from grass. If you leave grass clippings on the lawn, and even better, mulch them with your mower, you will be adding nitrogen from a natural source (grass clippings will return about one kilogram of nitrogen to every 100

square meters). This will keep the lawn that bright green colour – if it turns yellowy, that’s a good clue that it needs fertilizing from an additional source. In fall, keep the nitrogen level low, while providing the grass with some phosphorus and potassium and even iron. In spring, bring on the nitrogen. And leave your lawn clippings at any time!

7. Should you be a top dresser? There are several schools of thought about top dressing a lawn; however, if you are mulching leaves and grass, this may become a moot issue. If you haven’t been doing this and want to give your lawn a treat this fall, consider this formula: six parts sand, three parts soil, one part peat moss. Add some lawn seed as a final constituent this fall. Come to think of it, add the seed whether you top dress or not.

8. The moss grows on the north side. Moss will grow where the conditions permit and if your lawn is soggy, acidic and shady, then moss can become a nuisance. Usually moss will disappear as conditions change, but if not, you can rip

and dangers.

We desperately need dedication to addressing multiple problems in a multisystem clear headed way. We need to be brave enough to shift dollars or find new resources to address many problems at their root. For example, I understand that in the Netherlands the prison system is almost empty. The community leaders attribute this to the radical concept of providing extremely good mental health support systems to people dealing with mental health and addiction issues. Could an approach like this be of benefit in Manitoba? I would tend to think so.

We can achieve better outcomes from the huge investments we make in health care, education and justice, by thinking through all of these issues simultaneously and with open minds to make changes. Is this easy work? Absolutely not. Can we afford to ignore the many problems in our society because our personal life seems secure and reasonably problem free?

Sometimes our thrifty natures as Manitobans cause us to look for the cheapest solutions and turn a blind eye to the longterm consequences of our decisions. Political parties are rewarded for short-term thinking that prioritizes a four-year election cycle. This type of false economizing has become a dangerous luxury that we can no longer afford.

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

it away physically and then apply a moss killer (usually iron sulphate), best applied in spring or early fall. Another remedy is to add garden lime to acidic soil, that is soil where the pH level is below 6.5 (soil testers are available commercially), which may help prevent a return of moss.

9. Scalping your lawn. Don’t! Even if you are super busy and want to reduce mowing time, resist the temptation to cut the grass too short, which can result in actually scalping in some areas where the ground may be a bit uneven. Cutting the grass too short can also cause the lawn to need more watering, make it susceptible to diseases and promote the growth of weeds. What is the best mowing height?

Six to 7.5 cm (2.5 to three inches). If grass gets too long, mow it even higher up; wait a few days, then mow again.

10. Grass in the shade. Yes, you can have a green lawn under trees and in shady places. There are great new mixtures of fescue that thrive in shade, plus these plants are also drought resistant and grow slowly, reducing mowing times.

Trudy Schroeder Random Notes

Noise pollution is aggravating our dogs

Robert Urano

When we think of dogs and noises we usually imagine dogs barking incessantly, causing a disturbance. However, the reverse is also true. Dogs can be frightened, sometimes dangerously so, by noise, and our ever more noise- polluted environment is creating some significant physical and psychological challenges for our canines.

Wild dogs, including wolves, will usually head in the opposite direction to a loud noise. As thunderous clouds approach, the animals make a hurried exit away from the storm. They have learned that if they run far enough they eventually will find peace.

Not so for our pets. First, they are exposed to an ever increasing number and variety of harsh, chilling sounds. We now have smoke alarms, burglar alarms, car alarms, personal alarms, even some cell phone ring tones that to a dog can be unnerving. But unlike wild dogs, our pets are confined. Imagine a dog alone in a house when a smoke alarm or burglar alarm goes off. The dog will instinctively want to escape but be unable to.

Can be damaging

Worse, what if that dog is kenneled? He can’t even hide. Even in a back yard, a dog cannot flee from a frightening sound. Many have tried to dig their way out. And,

of course, a dog locked in a car when the alarm goes off will often claw viciously in an attempt to get out. The inability to escape this uncontrollable terror can lead to serious physical injury and long term psychological problems.

The impact loud noises have on our pets is often difficult to assess. Not all dogs respond similarly to startling noises. A few become hyper-vigilant but most will instinctively try to flee. It is when a dog starts to generalize his fear of noises to the point that almost any loud or unusual sound causes a panic that the dog is considered to be noise phobic.

Some owners think that they merely have a nervous or skittish dog. Some say their dog is just a baby or a coward. But if

a dog trembles, urinates, defecates or goes into a blind panic at sudden sounds, the reaction is more than just a dislike of noises.

Left untreated, noise phobias invariably get worse. Some breeds, notably the herding breeds, may be predisposed to the affliction and it appears that dogs who suffer separation anxiety may also be more prone to noise phobia.

If you suspect that your dog is developing a noise phobia, you have to be careful not to reinforce this fear. Although you may want to, you should not overly comfort and pet your dog in such situations. The dog will see this as a reward and also confirmation that the situation requires comforting. Likewise, don’t scold or mock the dog for being afraid, for this will only

add to the anxiety of an already anxious situation.

Dogs are pack animals so if you, the leader of the pack, remain calm and confident, the dog will have some reassurance that you are in control of the situation. Your easy-going manner and relaxed demeanor can provide guidance for your dog’s reaction.

Moderate to severe noise phobias require more proactive approaches. Since no one strategy is successful for all dogs, professional help is usually recommended. The most common approach is to attempt behaviour modification. These techniques try to desensitize the dog to noise in order to extinguish the overreaction.

Drugs ease the anxiety

Environmental controls, where you try to eliminate as many noises as feasible, may also help. Finally, drug therapy is frequently included in treatment. Medication can include different classes of drugs such as anti-anxiety, antidepressants and tranquilizers. You might also consider natural, herbal remedies.

It is important to understand the difference between the normal fear of loud noises a dog expresses and fear that has become pathological. You know your dog best and if you sense that your dog overreacts to noises, then consult with your vet. Remember, a noise phobia left untreated will only get worse and may result in permanent physical and psychological damage.

Vectors: Forces which have direction

The following story is part a new feature, the serialization of our columnist Wayne Weedon’s fictional work, Vectors. 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.

Chapter 7: All's well that ends well

Continued from June

Mr. Graham and I were sitting at opposite ends of the kitchen table working on our laptops.

When Mr. Graham went to the washroom, I peeked at his computer screen; he was writing an article, but he put the author down as Jack Excalibur. I became curious and I began reading it. It was about how our society is rotting from the inside out. This article compared Canada to Rome and Greece during their decline. Citizens in these decaying empires had too much time on their hands, and rather than using this spare time to develop themselves intellectually, culturally, and spiritually, they fell back onto their animal instincts and carnal desires. Today, Canadians have an abundance of leisure time which is being filled with fun and bodily desires, resulting in Canada moving towards a Sodom and Gomorrah society.

When Mr. Graham came back, I asked him what he was writing about. He told me he wrote a half-dozen syndicated newspaper columns under various pseudonyms. That’s how he made his living.

When I asked him if he really thought Canada was decaying like a pear from the inside out, he told me that history tells us, the first indication of a nation going into a decay mode is the disintegration of the family and this is what is happening in our society. He gave me a copy of a 1994 Carnegie Foundation report which he asked me to read and give my opinion, telling me things have only gotten worse since this report was written thirty years ago.

This report is about the USA, but as Mr. Graham stated, Canada always follows the USA. In 1960 only five percent of children were born to unmarried mothers. In 1990 the figure was 28 percent. In 1960, seven percent of children under three lived with only one parent, in 1990, 27 percent did. In 1960, less than one percent of children in the USA under eighteen experienced the divorce of their parents, in 1990, the figure was almost 50 percent of the children. In a mere four years, from 1987 to 1991, the number of children in foster care jumped by more than 50 percent from 300,000 in 1987 to 460,000 in 1991. Also, the number of single parent households is skyrocketing. Between 1950 and 1994, the percentage of children living in one-parent families nearly tripled due to a tenfold increase in divorce rates.

This report, Mr. Graham told me, is an indication of what he had been trying to explain. People in our society are consumed with fun, games, and carnal de-

sires such as sex, indiscriminate eating habits, alcohol, and drugs. Individuals will not accept responsibility for anything, resulting in couples just wanting to have fun while continually bickering over who will take out the garbage, cook supper, mow the lawn, or change the baby’s diaper. Today, in Canada, there are more abortions than live births. This is because most people want their jollies but will not take responsibility for their actions. Very few people plan their lives and plan their futures.

The next day, after thinking about it, I asked Mr. Graham if he was serious when he stated people used more energy to pick out a new car than to pick out a spouse. He told me the average person confuses lust with love, believing the two are synonymous, however, they are antonyms, complete opposites. He stated people choose a spouse on physical attraction when, between married partners, there should be altruistic love. I’m beginning to understand, most people in this world have no idea what love is. They don’t understand why Mr. Graham kissing me gently on the forehead, in some respects, feels much better than a romp in the sack. One is spiritual, the other is physical. That evening, I had an epiphany, I had never known there was such a thing as spiritual love. I had never received love from my parents. To them I wasn’t a person, I was a possession whom they needed to control, much the same as if I was a workhorse, or a slave. I never knew what love is. How could I, when I never knew it existed. All I knew was selfish animal hunger and the need to control others.

Mr. Graham told me to sit down and write out exactly what I would like in a husband. I was to list what this man would look like, what his interests would be, what his relationship with me would be, and what kind of rapport he would have with his friends and family members. He said I should then ask myself where I could find such a man. He told me, if I wanted a Cadillac, I should not shop at a Kia dealership. He asked me to think about where I would be most likely to find such a man. It all sounded so cold and callous, but I did draw-up a list. I think I have come up with a good description of the man of my dreams. However, this man seems to be too good to be true.

Mr. Graham, when I showed him my list, asked me a very strange and embarrassing question. He asked me if I thought this fictional man of my dreams would want me. He stated love is a two-way street and, to be deserving of this man, I must reciprocate by having something to offer in return.

I changed the subject by asking Mr. Graham if he

felt he was missing out on things by not watching the news on television. He stated that media news is inert, consisting of information which gives us something to talk about but cannot lead to any meaningful action. He went to his spare bedroom and came back with a book, Amusing Ourselves to Death. He told me that this book would explain it all to me. He suggested, after reading this book, I would be tempted to throw my phone away and never watch television again. I thought he was joking. However, I am only part way through the book, and I have now left my phone turned off. I decided I don’t need it.

I still find Mr. Graham sexually attractive, but I am satisfied in having him as just a friend, probably the only friend I have.

Yesterday, Mr. Graham came home with a new bed from Ikea. I helped him put it together and last night I slept in it. It’s comfortable and all that I really need. He still rubs my head and kisses me goodnight on the forehead. Even though it has become a routine, the kiss still makes me feel good, and I would miss it if he stopped.

I’ve decided not to move out. Mr. Graham wants me to help him with the special dinner he is planning for Maurice. So far, he hasn’t asked for room and board. I’ll bring this matter up sometime. I don’t see why we can’t come to an arrangement.

Tonight, Mr. Graham is cooking a rack of pork. It smells good. I’ve started jumping up right after we have eaten, cleaning up the kitchen, and doing the dishes. Surprisingly, Mr. Graham hasn’t commented on my new behaviour. But he was correct though, it does feel good to take charge of oneself and not procrastinate when one doesn’t feel like doing something.

I’m over my illness. Yesterday I went back to school. Nobody commented on my jeans, which are more comfortable than my old ones. Mavis asked me why I haven’t been answering her texts. I told her I’ve been too occupied with schoolwork. She went on and on about how she was beating my record at Candy Crush. I told her I have been too busy studying vectors and I didn’t have time for video games. She warned me, if I wasn’t careful, I would turn into a vector. I told her it was too late; I already have, and I like the feeling.

The End

Next month:

The beginning of a new story, Our Democracy, a story about the relationship between a young boy and his great-grandfather.

Woodcarver Norman Peterson believed in making art affordable to all

Ihad the pleasure of interviewing Norman Peterson just once – I think it was some time in 1988.

Sadly, the popular Manitoba-born and raised woodcarver died of a heart attack a year later at the still young age of 65.

(I still have one of his owls and some of his birds.)

What impressed me about Norman was his approach to art, which was similar to my approach as a freelance journalist. We both strongly believed in producing a finished product that was affordable for all. Rather than looking for the big score, we made our living on sales volume.

“Dad began his career as a woodcarver while we were living in Niagara Falls,” recalls his daughter, Ellen Peterson, who has channeled her own creativity into acting and writing plays.

In the mid-1960s, Norman was working in marketing for an Ontario company called Canada Sandpaper. His idea to increase sales was to market the product to home hobbyists.

The job took him to Niagara Falls where he was upset to find that all the souvenirs were made in Japan. “Dad had been doing some wood carving already,” Ellen recounts, “but now he saw a need to create a product that could compete with the Japanese souvenirs and be affordable.

Norman Peterson was born in 1924, one of 12 children, on the family farm near Narol, just north of Winnipeg. Ellen notes that her father showed an artistic bent from an early age and was encouraged by his mother to pursue his passion. He graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Art and later studied with well-known Manitoba artist Clarence Tillenius.”

One of the keys to Norman’s success, his daughter notes, is that he developed a system whereby he could produce his works of art in an assembly-line fashion. He would line up several “owl” blocks then carve all the eyes one after the other, then the wings, the body.

“He invented the machines he used and the techniques that allowed him to achieve his goals,” Ellen points out. “He was always focused on his work and finding ways to become more productive. I remember he once woke up in the middle of the night with the solution to a problem he was having trouble resolving.”

Norman and his family moved back to Narol after he inherited the family farm. Ellen recalls that he built a new house on the site in 1984 and converted the old farmhouse, dating back to 1939, into his studio.

“Once or twice a year,” she recounted, “he would hold an open house and send out hundreds of invitations. He was planning another one just before he died. He had more than 100 pieces, consisting of a variety of animals in addition to birds and owls, in

stock ready to go. For weeks after he died, we had people phoning or coming to the studio asking if we had any pieces to sell.

“Many of his works are in private collections and they are still much in demand online.”

Ellen notes that one of her father’s favourite workrelated activities was teaching children the art of woodcraft. “He loved having school groups come to the shop on field trips. He would show them around and teach them no-knife woodcraft.

“My dad was a very happy man,” Ellen Peterson says. “He found his own way in life and was able to do exactly what he wanted to do. Although he could have lived longer, those last five years back here were perfect.

“My dad was my hero.”

Letters from an unwanted correspondent

Dear Rick, I have come to visit once again. I love to see you suffer mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. I want to make you so restless that you can never relax. I want to make you jumpy, nervous, and anxious. I want to make you agitated and irritable so everything and everybody makes you uncomfortable.

I want you to be confused and depressed so that you can't think clearly and positively. I want you to feel guilty and remorseful for the things you have done in the past and that you'll never be able to let go of. I want to make you angry and hateful toward the world for the way it is and the way you are. I want you to feel sorry for yourself and blame everything but me for the way things are. I want you to be deceitful and untrustworthy and to manipulate and con as many people as possible. I want to make you feel fearful and paranoid for no reason at all. I want to make you wake up all hours of the night screaming for me. You know you can't sleep without me, I'm even in your dreams. I want to be the first thing you think about every morning and the last thing you think about before you black out.

I'd rather kill you, but I'd be happy

enough to put you back in the hospital, another institution, or jail. But you know that I'll be waiting for you when you get out. I love to watch you slowly go insane. I can't help but sneer and chuckle when you shiver and shake; when you freeze and sweat at the same time; when you wake up with the sheets and blankets soaking wet. It's amusing to watch you ignore yourself; not eating, not sleeping, not even attending to your personal hygiene.

Yes, it's amazing how much destruction I can be to your internal organs while at the same time working on your brain, destroying it bit by bit.

I deeply appreciate how much you are sacrificing for me. The countless good jobs you have given up for me; all the friends that you deeply cared for, you gave up for me.

And what's more, the ones you turned yourself against because of your inexcusable actions. I am eternally grateful, especially for the loved ones, family, and the more important people in the world that you have turned yourself against. You threw away even those for me!

But do not despair, my friend, for on me you can always depend. After you have lost all these things, you can still depend on me to take even more. You

can depend on me to keep you in a living hell, mind, body, and soul. For I will not be satisfied until you are dead, my friend.

Forever Yours, Alcohol

Dear Alcohol, Breaking up with you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. You had been around for quite some time, and I thought we might be together until death did us part.

I remember when you first came into my life. I thought you would ease the pain of my past and make my present pain go away. But I was wrong. You brought more pain and suffering and became the neediest relationship I’ve ever had. All you ever did was take and take, but you never gave. Actually, I take that back – you did give. You gave me heartaches and burnt bridges. You gave me sorrow and torn-apart relationships. You told me everything would be just fine if I would let you control my life.

Alcohol, you’re a liar, a thief, and a cruel master. When things began to look up, you grabbed me by the ankles and pulled me right back into the mess. When I wanted to change for the better, you told me I couldn’t live without you. You made me into the person I said I would never become. You became the nightmare. You made me do things I never thought I would be capable of doing. You made me what I hated most.

I tried to leave you, but you just came

back even stronger and harder than before. You physically and mentally made me sick, and yet I still kept you around. I hated you and what you had done to me, but I was too scared to leave. I was scared of what life would be like without you. I watched you dig my grave as the days went by, but never once did I try to fill it back up. Then, one day, you pushed me into that grave and began covering me up. You thought you would be saying goodbye. But you were wrong, Alcohol.

With the help, love, and support of my family, friends, and counselors, I crawled out of that hole and fought back. It’s been two years and change since I left you and that grave, and I still hate you.

You’ve reared your ugly head from time to time, but I’ve been able to keep you away from me. I know I’ll see you from time to time, but I know now what I wish I would have known then: you bring nothing but sadness and misery, and I don’t want your company. Without you, Alcohol, I’m doing things I’ve never thought were possible. I have people that I love, and I know they love me back. I can hold my head up and be proud. I have everything I need and even some of the things I want, all because I broke up with you. I am content.

So goodbye, Alcohol. I never want to see you again. And by the way, I’m telling everyone I know how terrible you are. Rick Authors unknown.

Rick Duerksen Reach

Myron Love

Woodcarver Norman Peterson.

8 trees for stunning fall colour

Jan Pedersen

Even though the majority of nursery plants are purchased in spring, more and more homeowners are asking their nursery professionals about selecting plants that provide interesting fall colour; and why not?

Autumn weather on the prairies has been glorious the past two decades, providing lots of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and prolonging the fall colour season. There are many shrubs for fall colour, as well as vines, perennials and yes, even evergreens!

There are some key tree varieties that you’ll want to consider when you’re at the garden centres this season. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are plants that I think really should be on your “have a look” list when you’re at your garden centre selecting trees for fall colour. Some you’ll be familiar with; others will outright surprise you.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum). These shade trees attain heights of 30 to 60 feet. Some have showy red flowers before leaves open in spring. Fall leaf colour: vibrant shades of red and orange. Summer leaf colour: green. Suggested

varieties: Scarlet Jewel, Northwood and Red Rocket.

Tatarian Maple (Acer tataricum). Smaller ornamental trees maturing at about 20 feet, Tatarian maples feature beautifully colourful samaras (seed heads) in mid-summer. Fall leaf colour: shades of orange, red and yellow. Summer leaf colour: green. Suggested varieties: Hot Wings and Rugged Charm.

Birch (Betula). Planted for ornamentation or shade, birch is valued for its exfoliating (peeling) white bark. The popular varieties mature at heights of 26 to 45 feet. Fall leaf colour: bright yellow. Summer leaf colour: green. Suggested varieties: Paper (clump or single trunk) and Dakota Pinnacle.

Honeylocust (Gleditsia). The newer varieties of honeylocust are thornless and seedless. These nice mediumsized ornamental trees provide dappled shade. Fall leaf colour: shiny yellow. Summer leaf colour: green. Suggested varieties: Northern Acclaim.

Northern Pin Oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis). This oak has greyish-black, deeply furrowed bark. Rich dark summer leaf colour. Matures at 40 feet. Fall leaf colour: brick red –very unusual! Summer leaf colour: dark green. Suggested varieties: Shooting Star.

Mountain Ash (Sorbus). Ornamental trees primarily planted for their showy display of berries in fall and winter, mountain ash also provides some shade and attracts birds. Fall leaf colour: striking red-orange. Summer leaf colour: green. Suggested varieties: Cardinal Royal and Black Hawk.

‘Harvest Gold’ Linden or Basswood (Tilia mongolica ‘Harvest Gold’). Strikingly beautiful shade tree, this linden has large leaves that really drop the summer temperature with their deep shade. Lovely exfoliating bark. Mature height is 40 feet. Fall leaf colour: golden-yellow. Summer leaf colour: Deep, dark green.

Larch or Tamarack (Larix). Most people think of larch as an evergreen, but it is actually a “deciduous conifer”, a cone-bearing tree that drops its lacy, needle-like foliage in fall. Larch or tamarack trees are a great solution for areas that do not drain well or where standing water lingers. Mature height is 40 to 50 feet. Fall leaf colour: intense golden-yellow. Summer leaf colour: green. Suggested varieties: Siberian and Oasis. Oasis is so-named because it retains its green colour longer than Siberian larch and retains its needles until winter, then features many small cones.

Red maple.

‘Hot Wings’ Tartarian maple.

Birch.

Honeylocust.

Northern Pin Oak.

Golden linden.

Mountain Ash.

Larch.

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR. . . . . .

You should consider having the following in place

Will

The preparation of a will may seem like a daunting task, however, it is essential to ensure that your property is disposed of according to your wishes upon your death. If you pass away without a valid will, the law states what is to happen to your estate.

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a document which appoints an individual to handle your affairs in the event you become mentally incapable of making your own decisions. Nothing prevents you from continuing to make your own decisions while you are still competent. A power of attorney is an extremely valuable document to have in place in case anything happens to you which affects your mental ability, such as a stroke, coma or dementia.

Health Care Directive (Living Will)

A health care directive, commonly called a living will, is a document which appoints an individual to make decisions with regard to your health care only, while you are alive but unable to express your decisions yourself. This document is distinct from a power of attorney and deals only with health care decisions such as whether life sustaining treatments, such as CPR or blood transfusion, should be continued or withdrawn.

Standard Fees*

Seniors

Last Will and Testament $225.00 $200.00

Power of Attorney $175.00 $150.00

Health Care Directive $ 75.00 $ 50.00

Standard Fees* Seniors Will $275.00 $250.00 $225.00 $200.00 $125.00 $100.00

* plus GST and PST - Rates are per person.

Home and hospital visits are also available $250.00* (includes both meetings)

*Plus GST and PST - Rates are per person. $250.00* (includes both meetings)

*Plus GST and PST.

*plus GST and PST