Feb 14 - Senior Scope

Transcription

Also read online at www.seniorscope.com. To receive Senior Scope
by email, call 204-467-9000 or email [email protected]
Available in Winnipeg and the rural communities of Birds Hill, Middlechurch, Lockport, Selkirk,
Teulon, Gimli, Winnipeg Beach, Petersfield, Beausejour, Oak Bank, Dugald, Anola, Pine Falls, Victoria Beach,
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Portage la Prairie, Holland, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Killarney, Neepawa. Brandon.
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
Senior Scope • 204-467-9000 • [email protected]
FREE COPY
Page 1
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V10-N9-Feb 14-Mar 6/12
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For those who are aging... and who isn’t aging?
Read Senior Scope online at www.seniorscope.com
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SENIOR SCOPE SPOTLIGHT - LESLEE SILVERMAN
For the Love of the Theatre
By Christie Donaldson
“W
hat if” is a question
Leslee Silverman Artistic Director at
Manitoba Theatre for Young People
since 1982, likes to keep fresh
in her mind at all times, and
encourages everyone, young and
old, to keep asking.
So what if?
What if, you had a vision? A
dream? And what if you followed
that dream, throwing away all
doubts and fears?
Well that is precisely what
Leslee did with her love of theatre
and has never looked back!
Leslee’s journey in theatre began
at the tender age of eight when
her parents enrolled her in allocution lessons. She self admittedly
“drove her parents crazy” and had
the need to speak out loud, which
tended to get her into some trouble
in the classroom. But, she would
go on to use that voice in the most
productive and creative ways!
Leslee Silverman in front of MTYP at The Forks.
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Continued on page 2
Johnny Dietrich Presents
Voices
ofofthe
the Prairie
A Glesby Centre Fundraising Event
Featuring:
Johnny
Dietrich
and the
Silver Dollar Band
GOOD NEWS - 2012 Manitoba Lotteries
55 Plus Games announced
- PG 3
Rick Hansen Man In Motion tour
passes through Winnipeg
- PG 5
MORE INSIDE:
Why the Weather Man Should be Jailed - PG 4
Showtime 7:30 PM
- PG 8
Tickets $15. Available online at our
website www.glesbycentre.com
or at our box office 239-4848
Manitoba Wild - by Bill Stilwell
Made in Manitoba - Published by MacIntyre Purcell
Margaret And Me Revisited - PART ONE
- PG 11
By William Thomas - Humour Columnist
Community Events - PG 9 / Puzzles - PG 10 / Jokes - PG 11
Stiff, but friendly, competition
at the All Seniors Games
- PG 6
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Diana Desjardins
- PG 7
By Marion Clemens
Book Features:
Johnny Dietrich
SATURDAY • APRIL7• 2012
By Scott Taylor
Coffee Break in Rural Manitoba
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Page 2
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
SPOTLIGHT: Leslee Silverman, cont’d from front page
At age ten, she went on to Manitoba
Theatre School (famous in the country
for being the theatre school that a whole
generation of people who developed what
was called ‘Canadian theatre’ came from)
on the corner of Portage and Main (then
called East Portage), where she attended
classes two to four times per week.
“What happened was, at Dominion
East Street Theatre (on the very corner of
Portage and Main) there would be professional productions. It was the former
Manitoba Theatre Company directed by
John Hirsch. There would be people like
Martha Henry and Cedric Smith, and we
students, by the time we were teenagers,
were working backstage and helping the
actresses and actors, and writing and
performing our own material. So when
they say that Winnipeg is a cultural hot
bed, it’s a BIG legacy! That would have
been in the 60’s, and there was no place
like that in Canada! And our place here
(MTYP), is a direct descendant of that
model. We do professional work, only in
this case we do it for kids. We teach children to experience writing and creating
their own material while they get to watch
professionals. So it’s that two thrust platform which I was introduced to by British
educators like John Hirsch and David and
Gloria Latham. So for me, I wasn’t surprised after leaving Winnipeg at age
twenty and returning to Winnipeg, that I
found myself working and building (from
the ground up!) a theatre for young people- doing exactly what I often say saved
my life! It took me through Junior High and
High School and allowed me to be passionate; to be with a group of people that
enjoyed saying “what if?”...and being
imaginative as opposed to being cool
and popular. It allowed me a way to feel
excited and confident! And I don’t think
much has changed, from what I see in the
noises from morning to night in this building (MTYP). I see the same kind of antic-
ipation when kids run in the building,
whether four years old or teenagers. It
really is empty space...they run into this
empty space where they’ll just be getting
to know themselves for two hours...and
how to empathize with other people with
joy, and that’s pretty fantastic!”
Fantastic indeed! Now, whenever I
would hear the word ‘theatre’, I would
think of a fantasy world, an escape from
everyday issues...but what Leslee has
helped do here is use theatre to bring
that fantasy world together with real life
issues as a problem solving outlet, for
children in particular.
“Theatre is an inch of real life, but a lot
goes on in that inch of real life!”
She strongly believes that in order to
work in an art form, you need to be in it,
right now, in the present; and to be able
to be where kids are right now. What are
their dreams? Their obstacles? What do
they feel?
Continued on next page
If you feel you or a family member have
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Serving Winnipeg and Rural Manitoba
For a free, confidential consultation
Call Gil Forrest FCGA in Winnipeg (204) 888-7376
Toll Free (855) 769-3946
For more details, check out our website at www.aac4c.ca
All consultations are strictly confidential with no obligation.
Leslee Silverman
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
Leslee Silverman, cont’d
Leslee Silverman
“To be able to create from the very
large pool of adult material is one thing...
but what we do here is respond to the
pulse of the time.”
So Leslee Silverman has had an
extraordinary career so far to say the
least, which we’ve barely even begun
to touch on here today. She’s been
presented with many honours and
awards, including the Silver Jubilee
Commemorative Medal as part of
Canada’s 125th Anniversary celebrations, the YWCA Woman of Distinction
Award in the Arts and Culture category for her significant contribution to the
well-being of our community, and in
2003, was the first recipient of the
Manitoba Arts Council Arts Award of
Distinction, recognizing “the highest
level of artistic excellence and distinguished career achievements by a professional Manitoba artist”, among many
others. But when asked what she was
most proud of, she replied “to be the
only place in the country the day we
opened this theatre (MTYP) was pretty
extraordinary! We stuck a shovel in the
ground and we built it!”
And MTYP is the only English theatre
for young audiences in Canadian history
to build its own facility!
So here we are, 13 years after MTYP
saw the birth of its new home, and
30 years after Leslee assumed the position of Artistic Director.
And she continues to look for opportunities which present themselves, continues to listen, learn, live life to the
fullest, and help children to do the same.
“We want kids to re-create a whole
planet and themselves, and we
can’t ever- as adults, stop doing
that... because how will they invent
a new world if we don’t show them
we’re willing to re-invent everyday
what we think?”
2012 Manitoba Lotteries
55 Plus Games Announced
The Manitoba Lotteries 55 Plus
Games were announced by Healthy
Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs
Minister Jim Rondeau on February 2nd
at the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks
General Hospital.
The 55 Plus Games are scheduled
for June 12-14, 2012 and will take place
in Arborg, Manitoba, 100 kms north of
Winnipeg, just north of Gimli. This will be
the 29th year for the Games which first
started in 1983.
The purpose of the 55 Plus Games is
to provide a sport and recreation outlet
for friendly competition, to promote culture, social activity and general wellbeing for Manitobans 55 and over, and
to boost a sense of community spirit.
The 55 Plus Games are open to
Manitobans who are 55 or older by Dec.
31, 2012. Events include 3 km Predicted
Walk/run, 5 pin Bowling (singles), 9 and
18 Hole Golf, Arts & Crafts, Carpet
Bowling, Darts, Duplicate Bridge, Floor
Curling, Floor Shuffleboard, Horseshoes,
Scrabble, Slo-Pitch, Snooker, Swimming,
and Track. Regional play-off events are
5 pin Bowling (team), Contract Bridge,
Cribbage (team), Cribbage (individual)
and the card game Whist.
"Manitoba Lotteries will be the title
sponsor for the 55 Plus Games for the
fourth consecutive year and the province
will contribute $10,000 to the Active
Living Coalition for Older Adults in
Manitoba (ALCOA-MB), which will take
the lead role in promoting and implementing this year's event. The host community will also receive $5,300," says
Rondeau.
"ALCOA-MB is delighted to be joining
hands with partner organizations including the Manitoba Society of Seniors, the
Arborg Host Committee and hundreds
of volunteers to make the 2012
Manitoba Lotteries 55 Plus Games a
success", expressed Jim Evanchuk,
Executive Director of ALCOA-MB. "We
have a great opportunity through these
age-friendly games to encourage all
Manitobans, who are 55 years of age or
older to participate, have fun, make
friends and inspire others to live actively,"
added Evanchuk. Evanchuk emphasizes
that the 55 Plus Games are for those of
every age, ability and experience.
Maureen Sigurgeirson and Kris
Gudmundson are Co-chairs of the
Arborg Host Committee of the 55 Plus
Games. They are very excited to be hosting the Games again and showcasing
the town of Arborg and the surrounding area. Arborg is not new to this as
they hosted the 55 Plus Games in
2003. The Hosting Committee is virtually the same, this year, except for a few
small changes, so preparing for the hundreds of visitors that will be attending
this year is going more smoothly than in
2003. Approximately 1300 older adults
came in fifth wheel campers filling the
campgrounds and locals’ premises, they
filled hotel rooms and were billeted out in
Arborg and in surrounding communities. Some even commuted from
Winnipeg and other parts of Manitoba,
according to Sigurgeirson. This year,
Sigurgeirson expresses how great it will
be reuniting friends who met at the 2003
55 Plus Games.
There also will be local entertainment
at a Variety Concert, and an Athletes’
Banquet, besides the competition events.
John Wickers, who will be 75 years
old this year, will be participating in the
55 Plus Games in Arborg for the 28th
year. He started at the age of 47. He ran
his first half marathon at age 47 and his
first full marathon (roughly 26 miles) at
age 57. Since then, he has run 25 full
marathons and 83 half marathons. He
earned 120 medals in 12 years and has
been inducted into the MRA Sports Hall
of Fame in 2008. He looks forward to
participating in some sports in this
year’s event, although he won’t be running any marathons due to an injury he
received to his spine during a marathon
“It’s about discipline, devotion and
joy that something brings you.
Everyone is yearning for something...
we don’t want any unused life.
Let’s make sure every kid here gets
to use the life they have!”
“Ask questions! Don’t accept the
given- question the given! Don’t give
up easily! Keep asking questions
until you completely understand!”
- Important lessons which Leslee
has learned, and valuable advice
for people of all ages!
Arborg’s Heritage Village sign.
in Fargo last year. But there are plenty of
options for friendly competition for
Wickers and everyone else.
Art and Adeline Angus look forward to
another year of fun and camaraderie at
this year’s event. It will be their 21st year
of competition. Art also serves on the 55
Plus Games Committee. “It’s a great way
to discover and see Manitoba,” says
Adeline. This year will be Anne Skuba’s
first time competing, and she looks forward to travelling from Winnipeg to be a
part of the action.
Registration for the Manitoba Lotteries
55 Plus Games starts in April with Golf
and Slo-pitch starting May 18.
The deadline to bid on hosting the
2013 and 2014 55 Plus Games in your
town/community is March 12, 2013.
Visit www.alocamb.org for more info.
For more information on the
55 Plus Games, call the Games office
at 204-261-9257 or call toll free
at 1-855-261-9257. Also visit:
www.alocamb.org or email:
[email protected].
For volunteering or billeting information in Arborg, call Maureen Sigurgeirson
at 204-376-3494 or Kris Gudmundson
at 204-376-2248. ■
Jim Rondeau, Healthy Living, Seniors
and Consumer Affairs Minister.
The announcement of the Manitoba Lotteries 55 Plus Games at the Wellness Institute at the
Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg.
Kris Gudmundson, Co-chair of Arborg
Hosting Committee.
In conclusion to my interview with
Leslee, I had one question I was anxious
to hear her thoughts on. Too often, no
matter where I go, I hear people of all
ages say “I’m too old”, or “it’s too late”.
So Leslee, what are your thoughts on
this?
“I believe the gates have opened...
that you can take belly dancing at
65, drumming at 53, acting at 110.”
And I agree 100%! After all,
“What could be more inspiring
than remembering to play?”
- Leslee Silverman
Page 3
The announcement of the 55 Plus Games in Arborg was good news for all.
Mr. Larry Wandowich, Acting Vice-President,
Community Relations and Corporate
Security, Manitoba Lotteries Corporation.
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Page 4
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
Why the Weather Man Should be Jailed
by Scott Taylor
I hate to admit it, but I’m leaning toward
agreeing with a law that is making its way
through the South African parliament.
The law, if passed would jail a
weather forecaster for up to 10 years
for giving false weather reports using
“unauthorized weather forecasting
sources.” If the law passes, any forecaster using a source other than the official
government forecasting service would
be subject to jail time and fines.
“As written, the South African Weather
Service Amendment Bill would affect not
just TV weathermen and online weather
sites but also community-based weather
services,” according to the Mother Nature
Network and Yahoo News. “First offenses
would be punished with a fine of up to 5
million rand (about $630,000) or five
years in jail. The fines and jail time would
be doubled for subsequent offenses.”
Unfortunately this appears to be a
matter of official forecasting, not accurate forecasting. Apparently, you will still
be allowed to provide brutally incorrect
weather forecasts, just as long as you’ve
used the government service.
That sadly, is not the problem. The
problem is that forecasting the weather
is such an inexact “science” that it is
wrong far more often that it’s right. And
it’s so wrong, that it negatively affects
businesses and people’s safety and that
must change.
In fact, as I write this, I’m sitting beside
the pool at Walt Disney World in Lake
Buena Vista, Fla. My wife has been following the long-term Central Florida
weather forecasts for the better part of a
month and what I’ve noticed is this: The
long term forecast changed every single
day. The weather forecasters — whether
government or simple TV meteorologists — have absolutely no clue when it
“...when it comes to long-range
forecasting, they’re guessing,
pure and simple. So when I call
our service, “Enviro-Guess
Canada,” I’m not incorrect.”
comes to long-range forecasting. They’re
guessing, pure and simple.
So when I call our service, “EnviroGuess Canada,” I’m not incorrect.
I remember, not long ago, getting into
an argument – OK, a polite but some-
what heated conversation – with
beloved Winnipeg TV weather forecaster Sylvia Kuzyk, who suggested to a
table of horse owners and trainers at a
luncheon at Assiniboia Downs that she
believed the forecasting of weather in
Winnipeg was so accurate that it had
almost reached perfection.
The table responded with stunned
silence. I laughed. Probably shouldn’t
have. My response resulted in a conversation about the fact that CKY had forecast rain for the Thursday we had come
together at the Downs and yet there had
been nothing but a blue, cloudless sky
and brilliant sunshine. When Sylvia suggested that was “the long term forecast
from the weekend,” a forecast that
claimed rain all week, I politely suggested
that the long-term forecast should not be
repeated on television. The long-range
forecast was a bad joke, always had been
a joke and always will be a bad joke.
After working for the Winnipeg Goldeyes
Baseball Club for the past eight years,
I have come to one simple conclusion:
There is a very slim chance—really, really
slim—that 45 minutes before something
happens outside in Winnipeg, someone
will be able to forecast it. Ten minutes,
maybe. A half an hour, unlikely. At 45 minutes you’re at the edge of 50-50.
At the Goldeyes office, we tend to sit
and watch the radar for hours on end
(www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/radar/
index_e.html?id=XWL). We need to
know the weather. It affects schedules,
fan satisfaction and most importantly,
ticket sales.
I have said it publicly before and will say
it until the Goldeyes win the Major League
World Series (which will happen when Hell
Freezes Over), the weather forecasting
done by every media outlet in Winnipeg
is bad for the city’s business. Period.
Incorrect and poorly worded weather forecasts hurt our city’s economy. People who
operate businesses outdoors in our city
are often destroyed by forecasts that predict rain when none comes. In Winnipeg,
after all, the citizens tend to believe these
forecasts and the first thing they do is say
to themselves, “It’s going to rain so I’m not
going to the outdoor concert/golf
course/ball game/ restaurant patio today.”
In fact, for those businesses that operate outdoors and are constantly terrorized by weather forecasts that are so
wrong as to be criminal, the thought that
South Africa might jail weather forecasters is rather soothing. Maybe that kind of
totalitarian foolishness could spread here.
There have been so many times when
I got up in the morning, heard CJOB or
CBC say, “70 per cent chance of rain,”
and then watched only a few clouds —
but no rain!—all day. Despite what my
friend Sylvia believes, weather forecasting is horrendously bad.
And it’s bad for another reason.
Winnipeg is a big city. Often it has
rained in St. James but not in East
Kildonan. More often than not I’ve told
my wife we’re in the third inning at the
ballpark when it’s coming down in buckets at our home in St. Vital. In Winnipeg,
it often rains in one part of town, but
remains sunny in another.
I would like to offer a better way to
provide a weather service:
1) Do not even try to provide a long-range
forecast. It can’t be done. Winds
change and storms dissipate. More
often than not, storms that pound
Brandon and Portage will miss
Winnipeg and vice versa. Forecast the
weather for the next 45 minutes and
don’t try to get too far ahead of yourself.
2) Say “40 per cent chance of sunshine” as opposed to “60 per cent
chance of rain.” Smart people will
know to take their umbrellas anyway.
Come to the understanding that the
chance of sun somewhere in the city
in the midst of rain in another part is
no longer a rare occurrence.
3) Don’t get cocky. This absolute
approach to correctness in weather
forecasting is dangerous. The forecasters are often wrong. It’s time that
disclaimers are part of the hourly
weather reports. Tell people “I could
be wrong,” because chances are, you
are definitely going to be wrong. You
are just guessing.
Weather forecasting, when it comes
to major storms, hurricanes, tornadoes,
etc. etc., is important. But this constant,
negative approach that glorifies the
forecasters brilliance in predicting rain,
rain and more rain is bad for the community, bad for business and bad for the
meteorologists’ “profession.”
And the belief that weather forecasters are always right when they are
seldom right will put people and property
at risk. ■
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Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay
Rick Hansen and a number of chosen
Medal-Bearers rolled into The Forks
location in Winnipeg on January 20,
2012 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Canadian portion of the original Man In Motion cross-Canada tour.
Hansen and the Medal-Bearers will
continue on the journey of making the
world more accessible and inclusive, as
it continues westward.
The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary
Relay tour started in Cape Spear
Newfoundland and Labrador on August
24, 2011, and will finish in Vancouver,
British Columbia on May 22, 2012. The
relay tour will span 12,000 kms, coastto-coast, and will pass through over
600 communities.
7,000 Medal-Bearers from across
Canada, who have made a difference in
the lives of others, will run, walk, wheel or
bike their segments of the relay. Bearers
will pass a singular Rick Hansen Medal,
created by Royal Canadian Mint, to each
next Medal-Bearer. ■
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L-R: Premier of Manitoba Greg Selinger, Mayor of Winnipeg Sam Katz, Rick Hansen speaking.
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All Manitobans are invited to discover
the province's natural beauty, diverse
cultures, enticing food and the great outdoors by attending one of Manitoba's
many winter festivals, Culture, Heritage
and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino said.
"Events such as these attract visitors
to the region, supporting local businesses
and strengthening the local economy,"
said Marcelino.
Some of the many winter festival
across Manitoba include:
the Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg
Carman Blizzard Festival
Beaver Days Winter Festival in Falcon
Lake
•
•
•
Power Toboggan
• Canadian
Championships in Beausejour
Winter Carnival
• Lundar
Festival
in St. Laurent
• NorthernManipogo
Manitoba
Trapper's Festival
• in The Pas
Caribou Festival
• Brochet
Cormorant
Aboriginal Days
• Churchill Aurora
Winterfest
• the Lieutenant-governor's
• Festival in Brandon Winter
A current listing of provincial
festivals is available at
www.travelmanitoba.com/
TopFestivalsEvents/.
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Financial Integrity Unit
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Page 6
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
All Seniors Care Games in Winnipeg
February 6-10, 2012
by Garrick Kozier
Organizers of the 2012 Summer
Olympic Games in London might want
to take a page from All Seniors Care
Living Centres.
Complete with emotionally moving
opening ceremonies, heated competition,
and exemplary sportsmanship, the third
annual All Seniors Care Seniors Games
showed at least one spectator you don’t
have to go all the way to London to experience Olympic-like atmosphere.
“I was actually blown away with how
professional and thorough the games
are. Although it looks like it’s all for fun
on the outside, the seniors are really into
it. It’s serious business here,” said
Rebecca Brown, who was on hand at
the Shaftsbury residence in Winnipeg to
take in the games opening ceremony –
a ceremony complete with presentations, speeches, and music.
“I’m excited to see what happens.”
Brown wasn’t alone. The games,
which took place February 6-10 in the
16 All Seniors Care residences across
Canada, created plenty of excitement for
both spectators and participants alike.
“I didn’t know I was gifted at bowling,”
exclaimed Yvette Albert, who took home
a medal in the Wii bowling event. Yes,
Nintendo Wii, a video game system
typically used by teenagers and young
people alike was a staple event at the
games. Seniors competed in events
such as the aforementioned Wii Bowling,
Wii Tennis, as well as more traditional
games such as billiards, Bocce Ball, and
board and card games.
edition, Goldberg says there’s still more
to come. Along with other coordinators
across the country, Goldberg hopes
to attract some noteworthy guests for
future games. It’s all part of what she
calls a “five-year plan.”
“We’re hoping to have Prime Minister
Stephen Harper attend the games
opening ceremonies in Ottawa in the
next couple years. I’ve also reached out
to Paul Simon about singing at the
games,” said Goldberg.
Goldberg placed a call to Simon’s
people earlier this year. While the two
sides weren’t able to work out a deal to
have the legendary singer/songwriter
serenade this years opening ceremonies,
Goldberg won’t give up on trying to land
acts like Simon for future games. “The
worst they can say is ‘no.’ The more successful the games become, they more
people they’ll attract.” ■
A friendly, but competitive, game of Whist.
Instead of receiving a pat on the back
or maybe a round of applause, winners
in individual events were presented with
medals and their names and results
placed into the record books.
Awards and achievements aside,
however, the games are aimed at promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
According to a study by the government
of Canada, regular physical activity
maintains “strength, flexibility, balance,
and coordination, and can help reduce
the risk of falls.” That’s a big reason why
the Wii games element was introduced
as an event at the games.
“Games with the Wii and things like it
are easy and safe for seniors to partake
it. It’s also a lot of fun. The key is to get
them moving and for them to get in the
habit of moving,” said the Director of
Health and Wellness for the Sturgeon
Creek I retirement residence in Winnipeg.
“It’s so much fun to see the whole
building participating.”
While the games ended on Friday, the
fun and active living lessons will continue. For All Seniors Care, it’
“Games like Bridge and Bocce Ball
are still great ways for seniors to have fun
and stay active. But then you throw in
video game activities like bowling and
now you have seniors having fun in ways
they’ve never had before,” said All Seniors
Care Event Planner Ronna Goldberg.
“It’s really great to see. They really get a
kick out of everything.”
Even though the games continue to
get bigger and better with each passing
The All Seniors Care residences were
decorated with diamonds and other Royalthemed items during the Games in celebration
of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
The rose centres were adorned with ‘diamond’
jewels. The opening ceremonies of the Games
took place February 6, 2012. The Queen came
to the throne 60 years ago on this day.
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V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
Page 7
Inner-city Winnipeg:
All Seniors Care
Blue Zone Club
All Seniors Care has a Blue
Zone Club - exclusive membership... only centenarians. ASC
celebrates the 100th birthday by
requesting congratulations letters
from the Government, arranging for
Government representatives to
attend the party and bring greetings. The theme of the birthday
party is "Mad Hatter" Birthday
Party... complete with balloon party
hats. ■
The real heroes work next door
by Harry Paine
You have all probably heard the story
about the bank-robber who when asked
the question, “Why do you rob banks?”
answered “Because that is where the
money is”. Crime seems to be on everyone’s mind these days and I am told that
it was an important issue in the last couple of elections that were held. So much
so that now the Federal Government has
introduced a new supposed anti-crime
Bill C10 that is another one of those
things that will probably end up costing
us a lot of money but accomplish little.
As Board Chair of the Broadway
Seniors Resource Council I spend quite
a bit of time working with other organizations in the Inner-city area of Winnipeg
many of which are conducting anti-crime
measures that are working and are led
by people that are my heroes.
My experience is in an area that is
urban where there is a high degree of
poverty but I suspect that if we were to
look hard the kind of heroes that I am
going to talk about exist right across
the Province and probably also do not
get the support and recognition that
they deserve.
Unlike the bank-robbers who are considered somewhat elite in the crime
world, most of the crime we read about
in the press and takes place in our
neighbourhood is crime of desperation
committed by persons living in a world
of poverty that governments with all their
so-called Bills do not seem to be able to
do anything about. Even the gang-wars
are being waged often by young people
who have been raised in poverty and join
gangs seeking some form of dignity for
their existence.
Criminal activity of this type is often
committed against those who are not
much better off than the criminals themselves, “where the money is not” but that
is what hits the news most of the time.
There is lots of crime going on in all
neighbourhoods that doesn’t get enough
attention; abuse of older persons both
physically and financially and retirees
Coffee Break in Rural Manitoba
being cheated out of their life-savings by
unscrupulous characters posing as
investment brokers. Then don’t get me
started on those guys such as the ones
who phone me two or three times a
month with the line “We are calling about
your computer sir” so that they can steal
personal information. We seniors are
particular vulnerable to much of this kind
of crime.
I went to a community meeting
recently sponsored by the Daniel Mac/
St. Matthews Community Association
Safety Committee and the speakers both
from the podium and the floor opened my
eyes to some of the really effective things
that are taking place in that area but I
believe are also happening in many areas
of the Province.
Andrew Swan who is their MLA and
also the Minister of Justice urged people
to make use of the Safer Communities
and Neighbourhoods Act that allows
citizens to report suspicious goings-on
Continued on page 8
Dancing for Dementia
with Marion Clemens - Springfield Community
Party-goer, Jane McIntyre.
Lilliam Thomas celebrates
her 100th birthday.
Biography for Lillian Thomas
Lillian Thomas was born on
February 1,1912 in Cornwall, England
to parents Alfred and Florence
Cleave. In 1926 when Lillian was
just 14 years old the family, which
included her 2 sisters Doris and
Joan, immigrated to Canada (All of
Lillian’s immediate family are now
deceased).
They settled in Moore Park,
Manitoba, where her father farmed.
Lillian married Fred Thomas in 1938
and farmed in Forrest, Manitoba,
while raising their three children Ron,
Diane and Donna.
Later Lillian and Fred sold the farm
and moved to Brandon, Manitoba.
After her husband’s death in
1979 Lillian moved to an apartment
in Brandon where she lived until she
was 98 years old before moving to
Winnipeg to become a resident of
the Shaftesbury community for the
past two years.
Lillian spent many hours knitting
and crocheting so she could support
and donate her work to the less fortunate, and enjoying her family which
now includes seven grandchildren
and 13 great grandchildren.
She has met many new friends at
Shaftesbury Retirement Residence. ■
Hello everybody. How has the world
been treating you during the first months
of the new year? Did you use the brand
new year, so far, to its fullest?
I, myself, have to confess, I definitely
didn't! January brought many ice cold
days, making any longer walks impossible. With the amount, and especially the
kind of snow, that was presented to us
so far, was not the right kind. I really
missed those big fluffy flakes sailing
down slowly and covering everything
with a warm, beautiful soft blanket - just
right for cross country skiing.
Towards the end of January, everything settled down a bit in the weather
department, giving us "warm spells" of 2, -3 or even -1° C. So I got my skis out
and gave it a try on the field behind the
Kin Place building in Oak Bank. I just
love skiing, my only problem is getting
started! I have to push my foot into the
binding and that movement makes the
ski slide forward. meaning that I would
land on my behind if I don't have anything or anyone to hold on to. I found a
solution to that problem making use of
the saying, "Where there is a will, there
is a way."! I'm putting on the skis inside
on the carpet and kind of stumble to the
outside. It works - believe it or not.
Did you make any resolutions for
2012 and did you break them already?
lol (laughing out loud). Here is one resolution you really should follow through.
I'm thinking of starting to wear a Lifeline
bracelet. This is such a wonderful gadget providing peace of mind for yourself
and your family too. I have been wearing
one for the last nine years. Even if you
live in a building surrounded by many fellow residents,,, they will not be able to
help you if you fall and are not able to get
up or crawl to a phone.
One push on your Lifeline button you
wear, and within less than 5 minutes
help arrives. After you pressed your
button, a voice tells you through the
phone that the helpline service was put
in action and somebody will help you
shortly. If you are unconscious or cannot speak for whatever reason, your
first responder will be contacted (every
Lifeline user has three responders. If
the first one can be reached by phone,
the Lifeline person will tell him/her that
you asked for help but did not react to
anything. So, the responder phones or
visits the person to find out what's
needed, like just help to get up, or an
ambulance or even the Police! Really they too can be reached instantly with
the Lifeline button. Yes you pay a fee
monthly of $45 or $50 - hoping you'll
never have to use it. Look at it like your
fire insurance - that money is, hopefully
for everybody, also "thrown out money"
at least you hope you will never have to
use it.
So, why not use this marvelous invention to create peace of mind! Please
contact Victoria Lifeline 956-6777 or
1-888-722-5222 for more information,
especially in regards to the new addition
to the program, called ‘Lifeline with
Auto Alert’.
I always admire the young school
patrols, how dedicated they are doing
their responsible job. These patrols are
celebrating their 75th anniversary this
year. Congratulations to them.
That's it for this column. Thank you
for spending some time with me,
reading it. ■
Jackie Dokken, North Eastman Region
coordinator organized the "Dancing for
Dementia" at the Dugald Community Club to raise money for the Alzheimer Society,
Manitoba. Everybody had a great time,
dancing to the music of "The Naturals".
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Page 8
Book Feature:
Book Feature:
Legend of the great
Do you recall
taking a
country
drive?
A car rumbles down a side road,
rounds a curve and starts down the valley
towards Pembina Crossing amidst the
“oohs and awes” from the family inside.
“Wow. Look at that river valley,”
shouts one of the kids.
“Look, a wild turkey,” calls out another.
This family is part of a growing trend,
according to Bill Stilwell, author of
Manitoba Wild, a new nature book.
“The old fashioned Country Drive is
growing in popularity as many people
are opting to stay closer to home for
family vacations and weekend getaways. Today this popularity is growing
partly because visitors combine their trip
with wildlife watching and viewing rural
scenery.
Pembina Crossing is a scenic, yet
virtually unknown spot located in the
Pembina Valley south of Manitou. It is a
place with an interesting human history
and an abundance of wildlife and spectacular panoramic views. Despite being
a terrific destination for a country drive
this spot is not well-known. And, like all
the places described in the book
Manitoba Wild, the drive to these
places is more than half the fun as this
book clearly focuses on spectacular
scenic drives.
Rural areas are brimming with natural
beauty and scenery, but you need help in
finding many of them because they are
local secrets. This new book helps change
that. Manitoba Wild is a useful guide for
anyone wanting to travel throughout rural
Manitoba for wildlife viewing.
Manitoba Wild showcases many of
Manitoba’s most scenic, yet largely
unheralded places. It is filled with beautiful colour photographs, maps and
directions to each location. As well, it
lists many of the birds, animals, wildflowers and other plants that you may
see along the way.
The book leads you to amazing places
such as Tolstoi, Birch Falls, Silver Bend,
Thunder Hill, Tobacco Creek, Cat Hills
and Medicine Rock. Some of these may
be places you have heard about, but they
are all new to most people.
The road between Tolstoi
and the Agassiz nature trail,
located about 100 km southeast of Winnipeg, is a paradise for anyone interested in
wildflowers, butterflies and
birds, Stilwell said. Many endangered species are found
here and the variety of wildflowers is simply astounding,
yet hardly anyone knows
about it.
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
gold robbery
“There is something very special
about this drive that takes you
through one of the most biologically
diverse natural regions on the planet and one that is on a scale only
read about in books or magazines
such as National Geographic. A
single visit here is never enough.
Each visit is different from the last,
as wildflowers and other native
plants quickly emerge throughout
the growing season.”
- an excerpt from Manitoba Wild.
Birch Falls is an amazing spot located
east of Bissett near PTH 304. This is
wilderness at its finest where you will
hear the roar of turbulent water cascading down the chute at Birch Falls. While
this is a place that is easily overlooked, it
is also one of spectacular scenery.
Manitoba Wild appeals to people
who like to go for a Country Drive, families planning a vacation, photographers,
hikers, bird watchers, as well as people
who like to experience nature from the
comfort of their armchair. It offers something for everyone from all walks of life.
Whether you are a serious naturalist or
just getting interested in nature you will
learn something new in these pages.
Here is another interest twist to this
new book. Author Bill Stilwell has put
together a slide show and talk featuring
the spectacular photographs from this
new book. He is willing to make a presentation for your club or group at a very
reasonable cost.
Manitoba Wild is available at bookstores and gift shops for $18.99 plus
GST. Call (204) 476-5210 or visit the
website at: www.manitobawild.com.
Bill Stilwell is based out of Neepawa,
Mb. - [email protected].
Great Horned Owl
Showy
Showy Lady
Lady Slippers
Slippers
TREHERNE — Betty Gates
defended her brother Ken
Leishman to the hilt against
accusations that he was
involved in the Winnipeg
International Airport great
gold robbery.
Little did she know her
brother was preparing to
stash $4 million in bullion
virtually under her nose.
Gates, nee Leishman,
recalled the sensational gold
robbery orchestrated by her
brother almost 40 years
ago. Gates still lives in
Treherne, 110 kilometres
west of Winnipeg, where the Leishman
family grew up.
“I thought people were nasty to
suggest Ken might be behind the gold
robbery,” recalled Gates, 75. “Oh God,
I was so sure Ken was honest and would
not do things like that again.”
On March 1, 1966, Leishman masterminded one of the biggest gold heists
in modern history: 12 gold ingots weighing up to 92 pounds each, worth an estimated $4 million (in 1966 dollars) on
March 29, 2004
the black market in Hong
Kong, where Leishman
intended to sell the gold.
Three days after the
robbery, Leishman wanted to move the gold from
an accomplice’s freezer
and stash it near his home
town of Treherne. But a
weather system changed
his mind — the blizzard of
March 4, 1966, one of the
worst blizzards in Manitioba
history. Leishman couldn’t
make it to Treherne so he
dropped the gold in the
Riverview backyard of the
accomplice. The blizzard
buried the gold under an eight-foot
snowbank.
“I was aghast,” said Gates, when her
brother was arrested a few days later for
the gold robbery, and eventually convicted. “He was going straight. I was so
sure he’d learned his lesson.”
Leishman was a logical suspect
because of his previous conviction as
the Gentleman Bandit. Leishman would
board a commercial airliner to Toronto in
See ‘Gold Robbery’ Continued on page 10
The real heroes, cont’d from page 7
in their neighbourhood and have
Public Safety Investigators come and
check out the complaint. This program
of the Provincial Government has
been effective in settling problems
without going to court. Information on
the Act can be obtained at 945-3475
or toll free at 1-800-954-9361.
Constables from the Winnipeg
Police Service outlined some of the
resources that were community based
taking advantage of the Chief of Police,
Keith McCaskill’s mission of “Building
relationships”. Other speakers were
the local City Councillor Harvey Smith
and the Director of the West End Biz.
The central theme of the meeting as
expressed was that all sectors of the
community collectively working together can make a difference. If there is one
thing that the “bad guys” hate and fear
the most, it is a community that is
powerful with knowledge and works as
a team.
It is not an easy task even with the
enthusiastic support that the community association has been able to muster.
Dodie MacKay, Safety Coordinator, for
DMSMCA has done a tremendous job
organizing people on individual streets
to help organize and inspire a sense of
community by getting to know and
educate their neighbours.
However, a number of contributors
from the floor pointed out that there
was still a shortage of programs that
would keep youth from joining gangs.
The only free programs that were run
by DMSMCA for young people out of
the Orioles Community Centre were
shut down by the centre’s Directors.
It’s the Dodie MacKay’s of this
world that should be our heroes and
role models and should have as much
prestige as sports stars and matinee
idols. Dodie is representative of so
many people who in this country are
underpaid with less than adequate
facilities and have to rely on good will
and donations to survive.
What would it cost us if we had to
pay real wages and benefits to all the
staffs of non-profits and pay the
many volunteers giving their time
freely, seniors especially know only
too well the many wonderful people
who volunteer out of their ranks and
on their behalf? My old Irish mother
tried to convince me that “a penny
saved is a pound earned” but I think
that sometimes we need to remember that often “a penny spent is a
pound saved”.
Maybe when City Council, the
Legislature and Parliament are not
sitting we should get them to try
doing Dodie’s or her colleagues jobs
at their salary and with their resources. Manitoba overall is a great
province in which to live and we can
be proud of the willingness of folks to
volunteer their time and energy to
work on some of the programs that
are available.
Prisons are costly schools that
train young people in the art of bigger and more violent crime. We
would be better off spending some
of that money to help the Dodies
of the community run programs that
will keep youth away from crime
altogether. ■
“Boots & Saddle”
a country western music program
hosted by Bill Lesack.
Aired Tuesdays 11 am to 1 pm
“2000 & Counting”
A radio program featuring guests
& spoken word of interest to older adults
Aired Tuesdays 2 to 3 pm
786-9782 www.ckuw.ca
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
Page 9
Things to do in Winnipeg
Email ready-to-print PSAs to: [email protected]. No faxes please.
South Winnipeg Seniors Slo-pitch SENIORS HAVING A BALL, May to
October, fun and exercise. To join or for
more information please call Bob Chapil:
261-3033 or Metro Hnytka: 256-4074.
The Royal Canadian Legion Sports
Foundation - 43rd Annual Tea at the
Fort Garry Legion Branch #90, Sun., Feb.
26, 1:15-3:30 pm. Draws, Bake Table,
Sports Table, Touch & Take Table, Sewing
& Handicraft Table, Multiple Choice Raffle
and a Money Tree. The Sports Foundation
runs the Legion Athletic Camp held at the
International Peace Garden. Call 2217304 for info.
Rupert’s Land Caregiver Services Ring-A-Ride program needsdrives to take
clients residin in south west Wpg to
app’ts, shopping and social outings.
Compensation for gasand parking is provided. Volunteers can be available for as
little or as much time as they wish - even
only once a month! Call 452-9491 or
[email protected].
ALS Society of Manitoba - 2012
Cornflower Gala, Sat., Mar. 24, in the
Hangar of the Western Canada Aviation
Museum, Cocktails 5:30 pom, Dinner
6:30 pm. Catered by Urban Prairie
Cuisine, Music by Mr. “E” and the Jazz
Gumshoes. Live & Silent auctions.
Evening attire. Tickets $140 (partial tax
receipt). Call 831-1510, email:
[email protected] or 837-1270, Email:
[email protected]. www.alsmb.ca
A&O: Support Services for Older
Adults - is looking for people of all skill
levels interested in Choir singing. Relive
your Glee Club days and join us on
Fridays from 10:30-11:30 am at 400
Stradbrook St. Wpg. Call 956-6490 for
info on costs and start dates.
Sisters of the Holy Rock - Sun., Mar. 4,
2:30 pm, at Red River Community Centre,
Main & Murray. Tickets $15. 586-3136.
Charleswood United Church - Annual
Bridge Luncheon. Test your skills and
enjoy an afternoon of food, fun & prizes
Feb. 28, 12-4 pm, at the Charleswood
United Church. 4820 Roblin Blvd. Tickets
$13. Call Church Office:832-3667.
Please come as a table of 4, if possible.
St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Women’s
League of Canada - Annual Palm Sunday
Tea; Sun., Apr. 1, 1-3:30 pm, ST. Basil’s
Parish Audortium, 202 Harcourt St. Sophia
Katchor Ex. Dir. Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural
& Educational Centre will officially open the
tea. Home Baking, Raffle, Silent Auction.
SOCIAL PROGRAMS/
SERVICES
St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre Fitness Classes: Beginner Yoga - Fri. 9:3011 am, Mar. 9-May 4 (8 wks); Total Body
Workout -Tues. 9:30-10:30 am, Mar. 6-Apr.
24 (8 wks); Meditation Workshop - Thurs.
1:30-3 pm, Mar. 15; Gentle Chair Yoga Tues. 11 am-12 pm, Mar. 6-Apr. 24 (8 wks);
Lite’ n Lively - Wed. 9:15-10:15 am, Mar.
14-May 2 (8 wks); Zumba Gold - Mon.
10:15-11:15 am, Mar. 12-May 7 (8 wks);
Zumba Gold, Thurs. 9-10 am, Mar. 8-May 3
(8 wks); Lite’ n Lively Mon. 9-10 am, Mar.
12-May 7 (8 wks); Urban Poling -Thurs. 11
am -12 pm,Mar. 29-Apr. 19 (4 wks); Pilates
Wed. 9:30-10:30 am, Mar. 21-Apr. 25 (6
wks). Call 987-8850 or drop in 3rd floor on
203 Duffield St. to register.
The New to You Shop - Open Sat.,
Sat. Mar. 10, 9 am-1 pm, Silver Heights
United Church, Ness at Mount Royal
(199 Garrioch Ave., Wpg.) Great deals
on gently used items. All Proceeds
Benefit the Good Works of Silver Heights
United Church.
Archwood 55Plus - Social Activities: Mar
21, 12 pm - Luncheon and GM meeting and
Election; Mar 28, 7:30 am - Bus Trip to
Brandon, MB. for Royal Winter Fair; Apr 18,
12 pm - Easter Celebration Luncheon; Apr
27, 1pm - Afternoon Spring Tea; trip to
Moose Jaw, SK, Temple Gardens Mineral
Spa, 3 days, 2 nigths departing May 27. Call
Melinda: 962-3331, Erith: 253-1779, Jean:
255-2223, [email protected]
The St James Art Club - will continue its
DVD showing in the "Understanding Art"
series on Mon. Mar. 5, 7 pm in the Cavalier
Room of Sturgeon Creek United Church,
207 Thompson Dr. with "Self-Portraits-How
Artists See Themselves" and "LandscapesArt of the Great Outdoors". Free of charge
and open to the public. 832-5590 for info.
Lion's Place Adult Day Program - is
a social day program for seniors, includes
physical, mental, and recreational programs.
Transportation & hot lunch provided.
Membership is $8.06/day. Call 784-1229
for info. Referrals to the program are made
through WRHA at 940-2655, or call your
Home Care Case Coordinator.
St. James Anglican Church - Pancake
Tue., Feb. 21, St. James Anglican Church,
195 Collegiate St., 5- 7 pm. No charge,
freewill offering accepted. 888-3489,
www.stjamesanglicanchurch.ca
Prendergast 55 Plus Seniors Club Programs: Cribbage Mon. & Wed.,
12:30-4 pm. $2/day includes coffee &
cookies; Whist Thur. a.m. $2/day includes
coffee & cookies; Excercise program Tue.
& Fri. $2/week, 9:30-10:30 am. Soup &
Sandwich luncheon every 4th
Wed./month, 11:30-1 pm $5. Club membership $11/year. Call 257-9586 or Joe /
Mary 254-8390.
Fred Douglas Foundation - 9th Annual
Humanitarian Awards, Chez Fred
Douglas, Wed., May 9, Canad Inns Polo
Park. Nomination deadline: Feb. 10. Call
Paul Peters Derry: 586-8541, Ext. 135.
The Manitoba Chapter of
Osteoporosis Canada - 7th annual
Cheese & Wine, Thur., Mar. 1, 6:30 pm
Reception, at Niakwa Country Club, 620
Niakwa Rd., Wpg. Door Prizes and Silent
Auction. $70 til Jan. 31, then $80 ($25
tax receipt). Call: 772-3498 or email:
[email protected]
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Dance to the music of lively Scottish reels
and jigs in a relaxed social evening of easy
ceilidh, Scottish and old tyme dances. Thurs.
evenings 8-10 pm, to Mar. 15 at St. Paul’s
Anglican Church, 830 North Drive and Point
Rd. $5 per evening. 284-4667.
South Beach Casino, Mar. 26, call Orysia:
261-4055 or Denise: 275-1353. Drop in,
Feb. 21, 1-3 p.m, call Sandra: 255-8332.
Bridge Mondays, 9:45 am-12 pm at
Southdale C.C., call Cecile: 452-5439.
Dowling Ave E. Learn self defense techniques! Free for all ages and abilities!
Register soon, space is limited: 477-1123.
Mensheds Manitoba Inc. - peer run
program by men for men at Woodhaven
Community Club, 200 Glendale Blvd,
Woodhaven in St James, Tue. and Wed.
afternoons, 1 pm-4 pm, model building,
carving, cribbage, coffee, camaraderie
and more. Call Doug: 832-0629 or 8045165
Dakota 55+ Lazers Program - Dakota
Community Centre, 1188 Dakota St.,
Wpg. Floor Curling, Floor Shuffle, Line
Dancing, Whist, Tai Chai, health presentations and social activities. Programs run
Tues., Wed. and Thur. Call Karen: 2552061 for more info
Please mention Senior Scope when contacting our advertisers. It helps them track their ad effectiveness in Senior Scope. Thank You.
EVENTS
Pembina Active Living 55+ (PAL 55+) Winter Programs 2012. All programs held at
Richmond Kings Community Centre, 666
Silverstone Ave., Wpg. unless otherwise
noted. Weekly five-pin Bowling, 10 am-12
pm at Dakota Lanes, 1085 St. Mary's Rd.
Lois: 261-1368. / Tai Chi - Jan. 9-Mar. 19,
10:45-11:45 am. / Continuing Watercolour
(2nd level), Jan. 9-Mar. 19, 1-3 pm. / Line
Dance - Jan. 9-Mar. 19, 1-2:30 pm, St.
Norbert Community Centre. / Tuesday
Afternoon Drop-in,. Heather: 269-8003. /Still
Bloomin' Gardening Club meets Feb.23 &
Mar. 29. Time 1-3 pm. To register or for
more info: 930-5290, or the specific numbers supplied. [email protected]
Age & Opportunity West End Senior
Group - Free Social Dance, Mondays 12:30 pm. Belly Dancing course Fridays
10-11:30 am, Hula Dancing course
Wednesdays 10-11 am, at the Clifton
CC, 1315 Strathcona St., Wpg. Chinese
Social Gathering Wednesdays 9-11:30
am, Line Dancing Wednesdays 1-2 pm at
Isaac Brock CC at 715 Telfer St N.,
Wpg. Woodcarver’s group meets Friday
afternoon from 1-3 pm at the Clifton CC.
Beginner Computer course Mondays &
Wednesdays 10-12 noon at the Isaac
Brock CC. For info: 772-9581 or visit
www.ageopportunity.mb.ca
Central Corydon Community Centre Adult Drop In - 1st and 3rd Wed. of
month, 1 pm, 1370 Grosvenor, Wpg.
BINGO: Mondays 7 pm - 1170 Corydon,
Thursdays 7 pm - 1 Sir John Franklin Rd.
Bridge: Mondays 1 pm - 1370 Grosvenor.
Cribbage: Tuesdays, 1 pm - 1170
Corydon. Walking Club: Mondays &
Thursdays, 9 am. For info: 488-7000 or
www.centralcorydoncc.com
Beginners 11:45-1, Prairie Stars 1:15-2:45,
Fridays, Beginners 9-10:30, Intermediate
10:40-11:40, Warren 334-3559; Scrabble,
Mondays, 12-4:30, Don 487-7835; Last
Tuesday each month, noon-1:15pm,
February 28, 20 Year Anniverary
Celebration $15, June 256-0414.
Jewish Child and Family Service - offers
Bereavement Group which is specially designed
for those who have experienced the death of a
loved one. Begins Tuesday, Jan. 18 until Mar. 8,
7-9 pm (8 wks). No charge to participate.
Contact Jewish CFS: 477-7430 to register. This
group is jointly sponsored by Jewish CFS and
Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba. Adults of
all ages and cultural backgrounds welcome.
Norberry-Glenlee CC - offers the following programs: Square Dance: Monday’s 6:30-10:00,
Seniors Bingo: Tuesday’s 11:00-2:45,
Bridge: Wednesday’s 12:00-3:00, Red
River Seniors Cards: Thursday’s 11:30-3:00,
Light & Lively Fitness: Intermediate M/W/F am.
and Beginner M/F am, at
26 Molgat Ave., St. Vital, Wpg. Call 256-6654
for more information.
Le Conseil des francophones 55+ - is a
community-based non-profit org. Its mandate
is to ensure the accessibility and availability
of French-language services and support programs for the French-speaking population 55
years and up who live in Winnipeg to help
them maintain their autonomy and to improve
their quality of life. 793-1054, 201-605 Des
Meurons St. Saint-Boniface, Wpg., [email protected].
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Stroke Recovery Association of
Manitoba knitters - If you knit, the
Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba
(SAM) needs knitters to contribute to our
Knits for Charity program. We sell knitted
goods to further our programs to improve
the quality of life for stroke survivors and
their families. See our website at
www.strokerecovery.ca.
Y Women - Group of 55+ that meets
every 2nd Thursday afternoon, at the
downtown YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg.
(Cost to join is $10.00 per session, session is Jan.-June, Sept.-Dec.). We have
different speakers and take tours. Ladies
contact Bonni Pereira: 953-7317 or
email: [email protected].
Bethania Personal Care Home and
Pembina Place - volunteers needed for
Meal assisting, 1 hr. time commitment.
Training provided. For info, call Nita: 6545046 or email [email protected]
Vital Seniors - Vital Seniors - St. Mary
Magdalene Church, 3 St. Vital Road, offers:
Bridge, Thursdays, 1-4, Gerry 257-5027;
Carpet Bowling, Tuesdays, 1-3, Fran
253-9456; Line Dancing Mondays,
K.I.N. Resource Council for Seniors Bluebird Lodge Congregate Meal
Program, 97 Keewatin St., seeking volunteers to help with the 4:30 meal - 3 hours
once a week. Call 774-3085 for details.
Things to do in Rural Manitoba
RURAL PROGRAMS /
SERVICES /
VOLUNTEERING
St. Andrew’s Senior Choir - “Roamin’ in the
Gloamin” - songs and music of Wales, Ireland
and Scotland, Fri., Mar. 2 and Sat., Mar. 3 at
7:30 pm in St. Andrew’s auditorium. Doors
open 6:45 pm. Snacks and punch are provided with admission. Wine and Guinness will be
offered for purchase by the glass. Tickets $15
with cabaret seating. Call 488-1130, to
reserve your seat, call by Friday, Feb. 24.
Headingley United Church Players 29th Annual Dinner Theatre, Song of the
Mounties, Feb. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25,
Headingley Community Centre, 5353
Portage Ave. Doors open 5:30 pm, Dinner
6:30 pm. Tickets $40. Call 255-1123.
Order of St. Luke Christian Healing
Conference - May 11-12, St. James
Church, 195 Collegiate St., Theme:
Kingdom, Power, Glory, Speaker: Rev.
Mike Endicott, Blind Healer from Wales,
UK. Info: 888-6743.
55+ Men’s Club - meets Wed. & Thur.
afternoons, 1-4 pm, at 3172 Portage Ave.
Activities include; wood carving, wood
burning, art classes, modeling (airplane,
boats) or enjoy a cup of coffee with the
men. New members and program ideas
welcomed. Call 987-8850.
Springfield Services to Seniors - Cooks
Creek C.C. Pancake Breakfast, Feb. 25, 9 am.
Go-Getters Bowling, Anola Seniors Exercise
Program, 10:30 am, Feb. 27. Cooks Creek: call
Mon, Wed, Fri @ noon Jean: 444-6000; Anola:
call Mon- Fri @ noon Brenda @ 866-3622.
Fort Garry Women's Resource Centre Wen-do Women's Self Defense Classes,
Tues. Evenings Feb 21-Mar 27, 8-10 pm
at Oxford Heights Community Ctr., 359
Seine River Seniors - Exploring
Restaurants, (on Feb. 24, Joey's restaurant in
Meadwoods). Celebrations Dinner Theatre
Matinee, "Elvis'" Apr. 24, call Fran: 269-8584.
Springfield Services to Seniors Congregate Meals are available to all community
seniors. Oakbank: Mon/Tues & Fri. @ 5 p.m.
Wed/Thurs. @ noon Call Vivian @ 444-3132;
Dugald: Mon/Wed/Fri. @ 5 p.m. Sign up sheet
at lodge; Cooks Creek: Mon/Wed/ Fri. @ noon
Call Jean @ 444-6000; Anola: Mon. to Fri. @
noon Call Brenda @ 866-3622.
Ritchot Senior Services (serving seniors 55+ in
the RM of Ritchot and Lorette) - Need people to
be on our list of available drivers, friendly visitors,
housekeepers etc. Call Denise: 883-2880
The Services to Seniors programs in North
Eastman - Services: transportation, friendly visiting,
phone calls, foot care, housekeeping, yard work,
minor home repairs, Meals on Wheels, Congregate
Meals, Lifeline, ERIK®, errands, etc. Call the site
nearest you. Brokenhead Outreach for Seniors at
268-7300, H.E.L.P. Centre (East Beach area)
756-6471, Springfield Services to Seniors
853-7582, Two Rivers Senior Resource
Council, Lac du Bonnet/Pinawa 345-1227
or Whitemouth/Reynolds 348-4610 and Winnipeg
River Resource Council 367-9128
South Interlake Seniors Resource
Council Inc. - Services for seniors and those
with disabilities. (Stonewall, RMs of
Woodlands, Rosser, Rockwood–wards
1,2,3,4). Services include Driver/Escort
Program, Mobility aid Lending Service, Handy
Helper, Housecleaning, Friendly Visiting,
Telecheck-Telephone buddy, E.R.I.K., Life Line.
Caregiver Support Grp. meets last Wed. ea
month. Call 467-2719
Page 10
Gold Robbery, cont’d from page 8
the morning, rob a bank in the afternoon,
mail the loot back to his North Kildonan
house, and hop a flight back to
Winnipeg that evening.
What almost made Gates more angry
was the fact that Ken went bowling the
night before the gold heist with his
brother Bob, a Winnipeg policeman.
Police even searched Bob’s house for
the gold, adding to his humiliation. “I held
that against him. Ken knew what was
going on and he took out his brother like
that,” she said.
Yet the happy-go-lucky Leishman was
liked by nearly everyone, even the police
who dealt with him. The day after the
gold robbery, he was stopped at a red
light next to a police cruiser. Leishman
rolled down his window and exchanged
greetings with the officers.
“Ken was personable,” said Gates.
“When he was picking up bales, he
could get 10 other kids to help him.”
Their parents were poor and split up
when Ken was barely two years old.
Gates remembers being so poor the
kids would dip rhubarb sticks into salt
instead of sugar because they couldn’t
afford sugar. Ken spent some time in
foster homes.
“It’s not like kids today where your
parents are behind you. We were
always in the way.”
The family moved to downtown
Winnipeg and Ken started to hang
around with a bad gang of kids. They
stole oranges from Eaton’s, and Ken
would also pilfer the odd comic book.
So the family moved back to Treherne,
partly to keep him out of trouble.
Leishman’s capture in the gold
robbery wasn’t the end of his story. He
escaped from Headingley Correctional
Institution, stole a plane, and was eventually recaptured in Gary, Indiana.
Discounts & More
BA R R I STE R S & S O LI C ITO R S
_______________________________
McRoberts Law Office - Madison Square:
Cal Friesen - lawyer: 944-7967, 200-1630 Ness Ave., Wpg.
WILLS: $200/couple, $125/individual.
Wm. B.K. Pooley B.A., L.L.B.: Lawyer, Notary Public 783-1632 (Wpg) Your MOBILE LAW OFFICE - Days-EveningsWeekends. HOME or OFFICE VISITS (in Wpg)
During his escape, Betty’s 16-yearold son pulled into the driveway one
night in Treherne and was hauled out of
the car at gunpoint by Mounties, who
thought he was his uncle.
“We loved Ken, and we just felt so
sorry,” his sister said.
Leishman served his prison time and
started a new life for himself and wife
Elva in Red Lake, Ontario, north of
Kenora. He became president of the
local chamber of commerce, and lost a
bid to become mayor.
He died on December 14, 1979,
when the Medevac plane he was piloting
crashed in poor weather near Thunder
Bay. He was flying an aboriginal woman
from northern Ontario to a hospital.
Betty said the legacy of her brother
Ken has been to make members of the
Leishmans and her own family “so sickeningly honest. We’re always thinking
that someone will suspect we’re up to
something.”
“My kids will say, ‘Mom, why did you
teach us not to lie? Everyone else can
tell a lie and we can’t.’“I never believed in
telling a lie but now I think, with these
telemarketers, you have to sometimes.”
None of the Leishman and Gates children have shown an inclination toward
crime, and “are all honest, hard-working
people,” Gates said. Three of Ken
Leishman’s children are regular members
of the Mormon Church.
One comment Ken made as a child
seemed to sum up his attitude.
“Ken was sitting on Grandpa’s knee,
and he said, ‘You know, Grandpa, some
day I’d like to have lots of money like you
have. But I don’t want to have to work as
hard as you.’ “Ken was only six or seven
years old at the time.”
Excerpt taken from Made in Manitoba
– Best of the Open Road Stories.
Published by MacIntyre Purcell
Publishing, September 2011.
Available at Chapter/Coles, Amazon
and www.macintyrepurcell.com
CROSSWORD - Weather in Manitoba
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Across
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Some like it this way (3)
3
Common conversation topic (7)
5
Fall and winter illness (3)
6
Seen when it's sunny (6)
7
Winter activity (12)
10 Cold symptom (8)
13 Winter sport (7)
16 5 of them in Winnipeg
(including Construction) (7)
17 Common in Manitoba lately (7)
18 Summer cooking device (3)
19 Rain and snow (13)
22 Winter driving hazard (3)
23 Z-dike location in Manitoba (8)
25 Portage and Main (11) (2 words)
26 It bites (5)
PUZZLING!
BINGO
_______________________________
Kinsmen Jackpot Bingo: 233-6365 (161 Rue Grandin,
N EW
Wpg) Feb 18/12 Jackpot: $83,000. Kin Pot: $420,000.
Visit www.kinsmenclub.com for Jackpot amounts.
C LOTH I N G & FA S H I O N
_______________________________
Easy Living Shops: 270 Lilac Street, Wpg - 284-2009
Ladies’ & Men’s 50+ fashions & for those with limited mobility
FUNERAL / MEMORIAL SERVICES
_______________________________
Glen Eden Memorial Gardens: Ria Dubrow, Cemetery
Director, 982-8316 (24 hr). 4477 Main St. Cemetery, funeral and cremation pre-arrangements. Receive a FREE
Estate Planner and FREE Will Kit!
South Manitoba Memorials: 3517 Main St., Wpg.
1-866-334-9397. E-mail: [email protected],
www.manitobamemorials.com SENIORS DISCOUNT
H E ALTH C A R E & R E L ATE D S E RV I C E S
_______________________________
Victoria Lifeline: 956-6777 or 1-888-722-5222.
1/2 Price Installation with mention of Senior Scope.
www.victorialifeline.ca
LI V I N G / A C C O M M O DATI O N S
_______________________________
Thorvaldson Care Center: 495 Stradbrook Ave., Wpg.
Herman Thorvaldson - 452-4044. An Intermediate
Care & Gov. approved facility. Reg. Nurse & Health Care Aides.
www.thorcare.ca. OVER 50 YEARS OF CARING
FOR THE ELDERLY!
M
O BI LITY PR O D U CTS & M E D I CAL E Q U I PM E NT
_______________________________
Living Made Easy Ltd., Home Healthcare Products
New & Used: 665 Archibald St., 231-1746 (Wpg). SalesService-Rental-Delivery-Installation. Consignments accepted.
Ultrasonic Denture Cleaner / $49.95 / Reg. $59.95
PH A R M A C I E S
_______________________________
Good Shepherd Pharmacy: 2416 Portage Ave - Wpg
at Birchwood Medical, 889-5555. FREE city-wide P/U &
Delivery, FREE Unit Dose Blister Packaging.
SPECIAL SENIORS DISCOUNT
CALL FOR SAVINGS & MORE!
These listings are free for longer-term display
advertisers. Call 204-467-9000 or email
[email protected] for details.
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
AS SEEN ON TELEVISION’S DRAGON’S DEN
Answers on next page
Down
1
Form of stroke (4)
2
Cats and dogs (4)
4
Canadian temperature (7)
5
Our heads are sometimes in it (3)
6
White man (7)
7
It's as original as a fingerprint (9)
8
Weather measurement (11)
9
Summer activity (11)
11 Ground shaker (10)
12 Big one of the century (5)
14 Spring activity (9)
15 Spring rodent (9)
16 Makes things grow (3)
18 Big one in 1986 (8)
20 ... as ice (4)
21 Sidewalk or road condition (3)
23 Welcome on a hot day (6)
24 High in the sky (6)
Answers on next page
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
Page 11
Margaret And Me Revisited - PART ONE
by William J. Thomas - Humour Columnist
This fall marks the thirteenth year
since the publication of Margaret And
Me, a book about my wee Irish mother
that I am proud to have written. Anytime
you can bestow a little immortality to a
loving and deserving parent it makes
your own life a tad more meaningful.
If Margaret, who passed away in
1999 were reading this column she’d
say: “Immorality! Bill, you’re so ungrateful.”
She had that kind of sense of humour.
Page 1: I dedicate this book to my
mother, Margaret Mary McLean Thomas,
the source of whatever goodness and
humour I possess.
Margaret is and always has been the
kindest, sweetest, gentlest soul on the
face of the earth. A saint, really. So
much so that I’ve often offered to send
a letter off to the Vatican to get her
name on that list for beatification.
And every time I mention this, she
says the same thing: “That’s nice, dear
but they charge so dang much. I’ll just
get your sister to give me a perm.”
Okay. So this woman is not quite
grasping the concept of beatification.
This doesn’t make her a bad person,
does it?
To Margaret’s great amazement the
book not only became a bestseller in
hardback, but the rights were purchased
by McCarthur And Company and republished with an additional section with
stories of Margaret’s last few years in
Northland Manor titled Where There’s
Humour, There’s Always Hope.
A chapter in the book that tells you
more about our medical world than you
want to know is ‘How I Helped My
Mother Flunk Her Short-Term Memory
Test.’ It began when I received an urgent,
last-minute message to get my mother
to the geriatrics clinic in Welland by
1:00 pm sharp “or else we’ll never get
another appointment.
My sister Gail and I were trying to get
approval for a government home care
program in which a trained health care
technician would come to the apartment
several times a week, spend time with
my mother, and then leave with a really
bad headache.
So at 1:05 pm, my mother and I sit
down with the local geriatrics specialist.
It’s the first time I’ve ever not spent an
hour waiting to see a doctor, so I’m
already a little suspicious. The doctor
has no medical information on Margaret
because the family doctor who did
the referral hasn’t yet forwarded the
paperwork.
“So what’s wrong with her?” the
specialist asks in a matter-of-fact manner,
and then he begins scribbling in an
open file. The doctor is middle-aged,
meticulous, and humourless.
“Well,” I begin, “my mother will be
ninety years old in a couple of months.
She has arthritis in both hands, and one
knee gives out now and then. She’s
been in two car accidents, which have
left a bump on her head, a lump on her
throat, and pain across her shoulders.
Laugh a Little
She has an artificial hip and cataracts on
both eyes, completely covering one eye.”
I swear to God he looked directly at
me and in a very professional voice said:
“Has this caused her any problems?”
I instinctively turned around to look
behind me to make sure he wasn’t talking
to someone else, like the evil phantom
son who would whisper, “C’mon, Doc,
it’s only a hangnail. She’s a chronic
complainer!”
I thought he was kidding. So I said:
“Well, she’s thinking of quitting playing
hockey in the Welland Industrial League.”
Not originally from Canada and
unfamiliar with our national sport he made
a check mark on my mother’s chart,
looked directly at her and said, “You
know, at your age, Mrs. Thomas, you
shouldn’t be on the ice.’
I stared at him in silence. My brain
froze. I was speechless. If I could find
words… what I should have said was:
“Oh, no, Doc, it’s okay. She’s a goaltender. She hardly ever leaves her
crease!”
Of course, my mother is oblivious to
all this, because like most seniors, she
still prefers to keep her $400 hearing
aid in a secret compartment of her
purse, for safe keeping.
“Sorry,” I said, “but I’ll wait outside.”
And I left her alone with the specialist. I’d
heard about this test – date of birth,
today’s date, phone number, names of
children.
By the time the geriatrics specialist
asks my mother to name the seven
First I’d get the rolling of the eyes and
then the look, the look that says “I can’t
believe you ever got through university.”
My mother flunked her short term
memory test and I for one, could not be
prouder of her.
For comments, ideas and a copy
of Margaret And Me,
go to www.williamthomas.ca
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Kelly Goodman
Publisher, Senior Scope
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Senior Scope
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Phone: 204-467-9000
Email:
[email protected]
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Question: Why do parents give children a middle name?
Answer: So the child knows when it is in serious trouble
Question: What would happen if you were to cross two snowmen
with three vampires?
Answer: You would get severe frostbite
Question: If a cat has nine lives, what has more?
Answer: A frog – it croaks every day.
Question: Why did the room packed with married people seem empty?
Answer: Because there wasn't a single person there.
Question: What's the difference between a pessimist and a magnet?
Answer: A magnet has a positive side.
Question: What is the best way to avoid wrinkles as you age?
Answer : Remove your spectacles
There was just no way I was
going to tell her the truth,
that you have to fail the
geriatrics test in order to
qualify for the home care
program. My mother flunked
her short term memory test
and I for one, could not be
prouder of her.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION - Weather in Manitoba
“Daddy, I’d like to help an old man. Can I have some money? A dollar maybe two?
“Well done my son! That is a very nice gesture! Here’s 5 bucks. Now where is that
poor man?”
“He’s down the street selling ice cream!”
Are people who jump off bridges in Paris in Seine?
Do backward poets write inverse?
Does reading when sunbathing make you well read?
Is the definition of a will a dead giveaway?
Is acupuncture a jab well done?
dwarfs I can just see myself doing my
Richard Nixon impersonation in order to
get her to say “Grumpy.” I knew she
would not do well on the test.
A week later we got word Margaret’s
home care application had been approved.
“I guess I did pretty good on that test,
huh Bill?” She gave me an elbow in the
ribs and a big boastful smile.
I said, “You aced it, Marg. You really
aced it.”
There was just no way I was going to
tell her the truth, that you have to fail the
geriatrics test in order to qualify for the
home care program.
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We accept
VISA and MASTERCARD
D
F
Box 1806
Stonewall • MB • R0C 2Z0
T
Winter Scene of Stonewall Quarry Park
Photo taken in February 2012.
The content or advertising in this publication does not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of Senior Scope. We do not make any warranty as to accuracy of material published. © Copyright 2012 Senior Scope. All rights reserved. NO PORTION OF SENIOR SCOPE
MAY BE COPIED OR PUBLISHED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER. Senior Scope can be found at all Winnipeg public libraries and many rural libraries, senior centres, grocers, hospitals, clinics, Legislative Building, The Forks Market,
Manitoba Tourism at the Johnston Terminal, restaurants, 55 plus apartments/complexes/condos, various merchant locations - over 600 locations in all. Available online at www.seniorscope.com or by email - email request to [email protected].
Page 12
EXPERT
EXPERT
EXPERT
JEWELLERY
JEWELLERY
JEWELLERY
AND
WATCH
AND
ANDWATCH
WATCH
REPAIRS
REPAIRS
REPAIRS
V10 N9 • Feb 14 - Mar 6
CUSTOM
CUSTOM
CUSTOM
MADE
MADE
MADE
WATCH
BATTERIES
FREE
ESTIMATES
FREE
FREEESTIMATES
ESTIMATES
(MOST WATCHES)
$5
RINGS
RINGS
PENDANTS
RINGS&&&PENDANTS
PENDANTS
WE
BUY
WE
BUY
•• GOLD
GOLD JEWELLERY
JEWELLERY
• GOLD JEWELLERY
•••SILVER
SILVER
GOLD
COINS
SILVER&&&GOLD
GOLDCOINS
COINS
•••STERLING
STERLING
SILVER
STERLINGSILVER
SILVER
•••SCRAP
SCRAP
GOLD
SCRAPGOLD
GOLD
•••DIAMONDS
DIAMONDS
WATCHES
DIAMONDS&&&WATCHES
WATCHES
194
OSBORNE
ST.
Corner of Gertrude in Osborne Village
SENIORS DISCOUNT
on all
Yellow gold jewellery - 50%
White gold jewellery - 40%
off
off
Over 1000 rings on display.
(To receive discount, you have to prove that you’re really old.)
943-3168
Open Mon-Fri 10 - 5:30 / Sat. noon - 5
Marty’s still here!
32 years ...... 32 years ! Marty Halprin has been in the jewellery business for 32 years.. starting out small in the old
downtown , when downtown was a downtown .... to buying his own building on Osborne and Gertrude to house
Celia’s Jewellery. Celia’s looked after Winnipegers for all their jewellery needs... diamond rings for young couples……
anniversary rings for “old “ couples…… custom designs for those who couldn’t find what they wanted…… and
jewellery repairs for those worn-out or damaged items.
Celia’s Jewellery was known as the go-to store if nobody else could fix it…… the go-to store for the impossibleto-find matching stone in a ring or pendant.
Marty would always find a way to fix the impossible-to-fix. He always found a way to make his customers and
many friends happy.
After 32 years you collect a lot of stuff - so, in the fall of 2010 Celia’s Jewellery had a closing-out sale to end all
sales. There were line-ups to get into the store.
Marty was going to try to retire and do something as silly as become a bike courier. Well, that didn’t happen. Instead
, he downsized the store, got rid of all the “chazerai” in the sale, and rented out the other half.
So , as the story goes ....... Marty is still in business ....on his own... and doing what he does best, now under the
name “MARTY’S DIAMOND AND GOLD EXCHANGE”…… still with the same dedicated award-winning goldsmith,
SOUK ...and Jack ( Jane?) of all trades, ANNE.
Marty’s buys and sells estate jewellery, scrap gold, diamonds and coins. Marty’s still custom makes any precious
item in gold or silver and, of course, provides expert jewellery repairs. Again, for all your diamond or gold jewellery
needs . ..... see Marty - but not on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings as he’s gone bike riding.
Open 10 to 5:30, Sat., noon to 5.

Feb 14 - Senior Scope

Transcription

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