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The Hungry Eye

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ron Eldridge hands out hot chocolate and doughnuts with his wife Marsha outside the Booth Centre on Henry Avenue.

Homelessness; it’s getting worse instead of better

Mike Deal 2 minute read Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015

For over eight years Ron Eldridge and his wife Marsha have been trying to help out the downtrodden and homeless, especially during the winter months. They hand out hot chocolate, doughnuts, and clothing every weekend.

Recently during a lull on a very cold Sunday I asked Ron what his greatest struggle was.

“Seeing the homeless out here not having a roof over their heads, it’s freezing out here and that really bothers me. We need to get more of these homeless people housed and get them more education and job programs.”

“It’s actually getting worse instead of better. We have a lot more people out here now than we did eight years ago. And actually when I was homeless, back then, there wasn’t as many as there is now.”

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It wasn’t enough to only be a witness

Mike Deal 6 minute read Preview

It wasn’t enough to only be a witness

Mike Deal 6 minute read Thursday, Sep. 4, 2014

A few weeks ago I met with and photographed Colin Vandenberg, who had just finished challenging himself to eating only about $1 worth of food each day for a month. The effort arose from his trip to Malawi, a country in Africa, and his volunteer work for New Life Centre documenting life there.

I briefly talked to him about some of the challenges he experienced there and back at home during his month-long food awareness challenge.

When you were overseas helping New Life Centre as a photographer shooting photo stories, was there a point at which you felt that what you were doing was really going to make a difference?

"I always hope and I felt strongly about my role as a witness. Someone who might be able to amplify the voices of individuals whose stories aren't necessarily known by others. It's always my hope that it's enough to be a witness, to share those stories. It is always my hope that that would result in further action from other people who might hear those stories."

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Thursday, Sep. 4, 2014

Colin Vandenberg discusses his volunteer trip to Malawi as a photographer.
Colin Vandenberg discusses his volunteer trip to Malawi as a photographer.

Crazy Spider Lady

Mike Deal 5 minute read Preview

Crazy Spider Lady

Mike Deal 5 minute read Friday, Jul. 25, 2014

On a recent Sunday, Kimberley-Anne Johnson (a.k.a. The Crazy Spider Lady) was standing behind the table of her booth at the Manitoba Reptile Breeders Expo holding out a tarantula that filled the palm of her hand while a five-year-old girl tentatively stroked its furry back. I have to admit it made my skin crawl a little.

There were plenty of geckos and snakes on display, but the non-reptile spiders are what really make me want to run screaming from the room. So, I just had to go and talk to Johnson to find out what it was that made her crazy for spiders.

How did this all start?"My husband and I walked into River City Reptiles, when they were still up and running. He asked me if I wanted a snake and I said, 'Are you crazy?' So, he said, 'How about a tarantula?' and I said, 'Well, OK.'I'm an avid animal lover. I wanted a ferret, I wanted a parrot and I had a Rottweiler; I still do. We were driving home and my husband says to me, 'I will make you a deal, as long as you don't have any other pets aside from your dog you can have as many spiders as you want.'It's eight years later and I have 160. We have found that it's my passion."

If you could give a piece of advice to a large group of people what would it be?"Live life to the fullest. I've battled cancer three or four times. Most of my insides are gone and I've come to the realization that you have to live each day for its day. You can't worry about tomorrow or you can't worry about yesterday, you have to live in the moment and just grasp life and live it."

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Friday, Jul. 25, 2014

Kimberley-Anne Johnson AKA "The Crazy Spider Lady" owns around 160 tarantulas.
Kimberley-Anne Johnson AKA

I like seeing that sense of joy and passion in kids’ hearts

Mike Deal 4 minute read Preview

I like seeing that sense of joy and passion in kids’ hearts

Mike Deal 4 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 3, 2014

A couple weeks ago I was sent to go and take photos of someone who dresses up as Spider-Man, Iron Man and Elmo for birthday parties. I wasn't sure what to expect from the person behind the mask and I honestly wasn't expecting to meet someone with so much passion for the job.

I met Gregory Marrast at the Cube in Old Market Square and every time he changed into a new costume he became the character. As Spider-Man he didn't walk: he crouched on the ground, jumped up onto a picnic table, then leapt back to the ground. All the while strutting and making witty comments. He probably had his photo taken with a half dozen people before we were finished with the Spidey costume.

By the time we got to the final costume, Elmo, I was convinced this guy could play any character. Elmo was the icing on the cake though: this time, he changed his voice as well as his body language. I couldn't keep from smiling and I wasn't the only one. People in passing cars were honking their horns and shouting, "I love you Elmo!"

After he changed back into his street clothes I asked Gregory if I could have a little chat with him.

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Tuesday, Jun. 3, 2014

Gregory Marrast is a local actor who also has his own business dressing up as superhero's for birthday parties.
Gregory Marrast is a local actor who also has his own business dressing up as superhero's for birthday parties.

People are people and everyone of us needs help

Mike Deal 3 minute read Preview

People are people and everyone of us needs help

Mike Deal 3 minute read Tuesday, May. 13, 2014

On Sunday afternoon there was a great gathering of community on the steps of the Manitoba Legislature. A rally to raise awareness about the nearly 300 abducted schoolgirls in Nigeria.

Many of the people gathered were dressed in red to show solidarity, but off to the side was a man dressed in the most amazing suit I had ever seen. It was a beautiful lavender colour.

After introductions Daswell McLeod said that he had a red suit, but thought it might be too much.

I asked him if he had any advice he could give.

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Tuesday, May. 13, 2014

Daswell McLeod was participating in a rally to raise awareness about the schoolgirls that were kidnapped in Nigeria.
Daswell McLeod was participating in a rally to raise awareness about the schoolgirls that were kidnapped in Nigeria.

Try not to covet anything

Mike Deal 4 minute read Preview

Try not to covet anything

Mike Deal 4 minute read Monday, Apr. 14, 2014

After shooting an assignment at Studio Central a few weeks ago I met a gentleman on the way out who got onto a bicycle and was about to ride away. I had to stop him; he struck me as someone who would be willing to tell me a story. I really didn't know what to expect. Before I could even finish telling him I was going to record everything (I hardly got the recorder started), John Hansen launched into an incredible slice of his life.

I'm a drunk, I spent time in jail. I spent 276 days in jail for a DUI. I was on bail doing breaches. What the hell else, I'm a doctor. I've got four university degrees, two years of family practice. Got involved heavily in alcohol, lost everything. Lost my savings, declared bankruptcy. Didn't know what the hell I was going to be doing.

Then I discovered ArtBeat, which was a tremendous help, and got back into acting, and still had hope.

Found that the things in life that are important to other people... I'm single, never been married... house, home, family. That might be good for other people, but for me it's just living. It is just really, living with no expectations that anything I do is going to give me a reward. My enjoyment and reward of anything is actually doing something. And that's it.

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Monday, Apr. 14, 2014

John Hansen volunteers at ArtBeat Studio.
John Hansen volunteers at ArtBeat Studio.

You can’t fix it, you can’t take it away, but you can help

Mike Deal 4 minute read Preview

You can’t fix it, you can’t take it away, but you can help

Mike Deal 4 minute read Thursday, Apr. 10, 2014

It's not everyday that you stand around chatting about life with a funeral director, but that's exactly what I did a couple of weeks ago when I was sent to take Mike Vogiatzakis' photo for a story about his decision to run for mayor.

After taking his portrait I took a moment to ask him why he decided to become a funeral director.

"I think becoming a funeral director is almost a gift. I wanted to find purpose in my life. That's the bottom line and I guess it's been about fifteen years now where I've changed my life around totally 100% and found a purpose in life and that purpose was to help people through troubled times."

When you started out did you have any particular fears?

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Thursday, Apr. 10, 2014

“I think becoming a funeral director is almost a gift. I wanted to find purpose in my life. That’s the bottom line and I guess it’s been about fifteen years now where I’ve changed my life around totally 100% and found a purpose in life and that purpose was to help people through troubled times.”
“I think becoming a funeral director is almost a gift. I wanted to find purpose in my life. That’s the bottom line and I guess it’s been about fifteen years now where I’ve changed my life around totally 100% and found a purpose in life and that purpose was to help people through troubled times.”

It was hard. It was hard because I started to know their stories

Mike Deal 3 minute read Preview

It was hard. It was hard because I started to know their stories

Mike Deal 3 minute read Sunday, Apr. 6, 2014

Getting a chance to chat with another artist about what motivates them always makes my day. Talking to Julia Penny an artist who lives in Winnipeg Beach, MB, gave me a chance to ruminate about how each of us deals differently with tragedy.

Julia had just finished drawing individual portraits of the victims of the Lac-Mégantic, Quebec train disaster which happened in July, 2013. Forty-seven people from the Lac-Mégantic with a population of about 6,100 died when a train carrying oil derailed and exploded in the middle of the town.

Reporter Alexandra Paul was gracious and allowed me a chance to ask a few questions after she was finished for her story.

Have you taken on a project which involved this many portraits before?

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Sunday, Apr. 6, 2014

Winnipeg Beach artist Julia Penny, who drew images of each person who perished when a train carrying oil derailed and exploded in Quebec last July.
Winnipeg Beach artist Julia Penny, who drew images of each person who perished when a train carrying oil derailed and exploded in Quebec last July.

If you are looking for fame, you are doing the wrong thing

Mike Deal 3 minute read Preview

If you are looking for fame, you are doing the wrong thing

Mike Deal 3 minute read Thursday, Apr. 3, 2014

My task was to shoot and edit a quick video during a media call for the Prairie Theatre Exchanges' latest show, Harvest.

No stills were required, as the section was going to press early and the paper was going to use photos provided by PTE. I tend to shoot stills anyway, but this time I found myself thinking about shooting a portrait after the other media were done. I was taken with the lead actor, Tom Anniko, who was portraying a retired farmer. He kind of resembled my grandfather.

I thought the stage props would make for an interest and quick portrait. I also got a chance to ask Tom about what it is like to be a stage actor.

What led you to take on acting as a profession?

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Thursday, Apr. 3, 2014

Tom Anniko is a local stage actor performing in the PTE production of Harvest which will be running from April 3rd to the 20th.
Tom Anniko is a local stage actor performing in the PTE production of Harvest which will be running from April 3rd to the 20th.

JUNO nominated

Mike Deal 1 minute read Preview

JUNO nominated

Mike Deal 1 minute read Monday, Mar. 31, 2014

My JUNO themed portrait was shot in early February and is a little bit of a departure in that I didn't get a chance to interview the subject before she had to run off to another media interview. I had maybe a minute (probably less) while she waited for her ride.

Regardless, meeting Lindi Ortega at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe and listening to her being interviewed by John Kendle softened the blow a great deal.

Her album, Tin Star, was nominated in the 2014 JUNO category: Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo.

Though she didn't win this year, I'm sure the JUNO's haven't seen the last of her.

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Monday, Mar. 31, 2014

Singer/songwriter Lindi Ortega after being interviewed at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe on February 6th, 2014.
Singer/songwriter Lindi Ortega after being interviewed at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe on February 6th, 2014.

Not just good eats, he has great determination

Mike Deal 2 minute read Preview

Not just good eats, he has great determination

Mike Deal 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 27, 2014

Discovering a new place to go out for dinner for me is often as easy as being sent to shoot a photo for a restaurant review. I have a handful of places I like to go to for particular dishes and rarely stray from this list, but when I was sent to Gasthaus Gutenberger a few weeks ago I found that I might just have to make room for a new restaurant.

After taking the requisite photos I asked the owner and head chef if I could get his story.

"I always loved cooking, got it from my grandmother. BBQ's and Sunday brunches after church. It's the only thing I was ever good at. So, when I was sixteen I decided to go into the cooking field. Just normal fast-food restaurants, hotels and then one time I decided to come here for an interview. Nineteen years old, I walked in here, the previous owner was a master chef ... I asked him if he would take on a student. He said yes, and then ten years later I became the owner of the place, working up the ladder. From prep-cook to line cook to sending me to school, then sous chef then head chef at 23, then a few years later he sold."

"It was always about moving forward, you always have a dream. My dream was to own a restaurant. I don't take no for an answer, the only thing holding me back was long hours, weekends, holidays, you lose your life."

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Thursday, Mar. 27, 2014

Jereme Labelle is the owner and head chef at Gasthaus Gutenberger on Portage Ave. He went from prep-cook to head chef in ten years and then he bought the restaurant when his mentor and previous owner retired.
Jereme Labelle is the owner and head chef at Gasthaus Gutenberger on Portage Ave. He went from prep-cook to head chef in ten years and then he bought the restaurant when his mentor and previous owner retired.

A passion for people who are underprivileged

Mike Deal 3 minute read Preview

A passion for people who are underprivileged

Mike Deal 3 minute read Sunday, Mar. 23, 2014

While out on assignment the day before the provincial budget was presented a couple of weeks ago, I came across a familiar face. It was one of two protests that were taking place that afternoon on the front steps of the Manitoba Legislative Building. Anti-poverty demonstrators had gathered to give speeches and wave signs. When you go to the number of events we do as photojournalists you tend to see some of the same people fairly frequently. This guy always catches my eye; I always want to take his photo. This time I took the time to try to get to know him a little more.

I asked Isaac Dyck what he did for a living and what brought him to the demonstration that particular day.

"I'm a retired school teacher. I taught in the North End of Winnipeg for many years. So, I have a passion for people who are underprivileged, who experience oppression. Today we are reminded that there's a significant amount of poverty in our communities, in our community of Winnipeg in particular. We see this around us and we are reminded by the speakers and by the highlighting of this issue today that this needs to be addressed in a concrete way.

Have you ever experienced extreme poverty?

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Sunday, Mar. 23, 2014

Isaac Dyck has a passion for people who are underprivileged. He can be seen at many anti-poverty protests.
Isaac Dyck has a passion for people who are underprivileged. He can be seen at many anti-poverty protests.

Learn to share and trust

Mike Deal 2 minute read Preview

Learn to share and trust

Mike Deal 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 20, 2014

A few weeks ago I was sent out to Selkirk regarding a story about the new library that was just built, the Gaynor Family Regional Library. It's probably the nicest library I have ever been in. It was more like a really nice, very large bookstore.

There was a cafe!

Huge windows!

I had to take our tour guide, Colleen Sklar, the volunteer chairwoman of the library aside so I could shoot a portrait and have a small chat with her.

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Thursday, Mar. 20, 2014

Colleen Sklar is the volunteer chairwoman for the Gaynor Family Regional Library in Selkirk, MB. Her youngest daughter was 12 months old when planning started on the library, and she recently turned 13 years old.
Colleen Sklar is the volunteer chairwoman for the Gaynor Family Regional Library in Selkirk, MB. Her youngest daughter was 12 months old when planning started on the library, and she recently turned 13 years old.

Her glasses caught my eye

Mike Deal 2 minute read Preview

Her glasses caught my eye

Mike Deal 2 minute read Sunday, Mar. 16, 2014

Last month, Red River College held its 12th annual Student Art Show and Auction at The Forks. I have probably shot this assignment three or four times that I can remember and it is always a pleasant experience to walk among the students as they work on their pieces. I really like looking over their shoulders; it reminds me of my days in post-secondary school.

I took a moment to photograph Annalee Giesbrecht's piece up close and then asked her what the scariest thing she was facing as she approached her graduation this spring.

"Ha, Ha, ha... finding a job. I did a degree before this and this is the sixth year of education after high school. I am really looking forward to getting a good job so I can start paying off my student loan, instead of just accumulating more of them."

What is the hardest part about being an artist?

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Sunday, Mar. 16, 2014

Annalee Giesbrecht is a graphic design student at Red River College.
Annalee Giesbrecht is a graphic design student at Red River College.

My kind of club

Mike Deal 2 minute read Preview

My kind of club

Mike Deal 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 13, 2014

I finally got to meet the guy behind one of Winnipeg's best food blogs "Burger Club - Winnipeg," while shooting a story about 100 years of Reubens. Go figure. It turns out that the burger club isn't the only menu item Tim Turner and his crew have sunk their teeth into. There is the Clubhouse Connoisseur Club, the League of Super Gyros, and the Reuben Rabble.

Tim has done such a great job promoting local eateries he has even been called upon to judge best burger contests.

Between shooting a cover photo for the story and eating his "Rachel" which is exactly the same as the Reuben, except roasted turkey takes the place of corned beef, I chatted with Tim about his search for the best burger.

What would be one of the biggest criticisms you have during your search for the best burger?"The attention for the bun isn't always the same as the attention given to the patty. So, we've had a lot of fantastic burgers on a pretty average bun."

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Thursday, Mar. 13, 2014

Tim Turner, the guy behind one of Winnipeg's best food blogs "Burger Club - Winnipeg."
Tim Turner, the guy behind one of Winnipeg's best food blogs

Frozen pipes, Hawaii dreams

Mike Deal 2 minute read Preview

Frozen pipes, Hawaii dreams

Mike Deal 2 minute read Monday, Mar. 10, 2014

A few weeks ago, during the middle of the deep freeze, I was sent to take photos at the RAW: Almond pop-up restaurant on the Assiniboine River at The Forks.

The atmosphere inside the crazy tent/structure that Sunday morning was jovial and filled with anticipation as people arrived for brunch.

While I waited for the reporter to arrive I chatted with one of the crew working the counter. He was wearing a big fur hat and gold rimmed sunglasses. Besides the cold, all I wanted to do was figure out how to get a chance to take his photo.

Avi Waldman it turned out was the brother to the head chef that morning, Talia Syrie from Tansi at Neechi Commons.

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Monday, Mar. 10, 2014

Avi Waldman was one of the high spirited crew that helped make the RAW: Almond pop-up restaurant on the frozen Assiniboine River at The Forks a success.
Avi Waldman was one of the high spirited crew that helped make the RAW: Almond pop-up restaurant on the frozen Assiniboine River at The Forks a success.

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