Community – Winnipeg Free Press

Manitoba career training is just a click or call away

Andrea Bruyere 3 minute read Saturday, Jul. 23, 2022

I am a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for Wayne’s Backhoe & Excavation located in Traverse Bay, Manitoba.

But it was not my first dream. When I was young, I wanted to be a heavy-duty welder. In high school, I majored in welding.

My dreams shifted the day my cousin threw me in a loader. I immediately thought “I want to do this!” I started doing small, odd, operating jobs locally. I then went on to acquire my HEO certifications at OETIM in 2016. While working as an equipment operator, I decided to challenge my Class 1 written test.

Once I passed, I jumped in the driver seat, with my licensed coworker beside me, and tried out the trucks for the first time. It was so exhilarating. At that moment I knew I wanted to get my Class 1 license. My grandpa, mother, brother, and boyfriend all have their Class 1 license, too.

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Humane Society CEO Embraces Animal Advocacy

Jennifer McFee 3 minute read Preview

Humane Society CEO Embraces Animal Advocacy

Jennifer McFee 3 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 20, 2022

For a lifelong animal advocate, it truly is the cat’s meow to work in a profession that helps our furry friends.

Jessica Miller became Winnipeg Humane Society’s chief executive officer last February after serving as a board member for several years. However, she initially embarked on this journey when she was only 13.

“It was then I started to become aware of animal welfare issues and took an interest in doing what I could at that young age: becoming a vegetarian, signing petitions, volunteering and taking my education seriously,” she says.

“From adolescent to adulthood, I climbed the corporate ladder but never forgetting where my true passion originated. Obtaining the CEO position for the WHS was like having your cake and eating it too.”

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Wednesday, Jul. 20, 2022

Darcy Finley
Mira is a beautiful, gentle and sweet two-year-old girl who is looking for a family to call her very own. Mira likes to stick close to her people and will love you unconditionally (which includes gentle hugs from her). She loves playing catch, tug of war and nudging your hand for some wonderful pets.

A Winning Combination

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

A Winning Combination

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Sunday, Jul. 10, 2022

Today, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the CFL’s two-time defending Grey Cup Champions.

A masterfully run organization, they are the envy of the league for their professionalism, stability and great team atmosphere.

But that wasn’t the case in August 2013 when Wade Miller was named team president and CEO.

The Blue Bombers had gone through several lean years, losing more than they won. Coaches and players came and went.

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Sunday, Jul. 10, 2022

Indigenous Summer Tour

Trina Rehberg Boyko 4 minute read Preview

Indigenous Summer Tour

Trina Rehberg Boyko 4 minute read Sunday, Jun. 26, 2022

Summer, live music, local talent and free admission. Does it get any better?

It certainly does, when that local talent is made up of Indigenous artists who have signed on to share their gifts — and their stories — with communities throughout Manitoba.

The Indigenous Summer Tour is back, after its hugely successful first run in 2021.

So far, the tour has secured 10 dates, with the potential for more to come.

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Sunday, Jun. 26, 2022

Siblings share toe tapping talent

Wendy King 5 minute read Preview

Siblings share toe tapping talent

Wendy King 5 minute read Friday, Jun. 24, 2022

If you’re at the Forks on June 18 and you hear a fiddler tuning up, it’s a good bet someone’s getting ready to dance the Red River Jig: the joyful, high-energy traditional dance of the Métis people.

It’s done by lifelong dancers of all ages — but it’s not something that’s taught in a studio.

“It’s pretty much passed down through family members,” says dancer Michael “Mikey” Harris (also known as DizzyFeet on TikTok).

And there’s a reason for that.

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Friday, Jun. 24, 2022

PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY
Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers

The dawn of light is here

Kristin Marand 5 minute read Preview

The dawn of light is here

Kristin Marand 5 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 22, 2022

The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq illuminated the curved granite exterior of its new addition in 2021, ushering in a new era of appreciation for Indigenous art, artists and culture.

But the WAG’s history with Indigenous art began decades ago with the purchase of its first piece of Inuit art in 1956. In 1970, the gallery acquired 4,000 more pieces from a private collection and in 1972 hosted Canada’s first public display of contemporary First Nations art with the Treaty numbers 23, 287, 1171 exhibition.

Today, nearly half of the WAG’s permanent collection is comprised of work by Indigenous artists including carvings, drawings, prints, textiles and new media. It is also home to the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art, holding in trust nearly 14,000 pieces. Located on Treaty 1 territory, the gallery is focusing on growing the collection of work by artists with strong ties to Manitoba from Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininiwak, Dakota, Dene and Métis heritage.

The journey of creating a dedicated space to recognize and honour Indigenous artists began in 2012, the year of the WAG’s centennial, when American architect Michael Maltzan won an international juried competition to design the WAG Inuit art centre. His design was inspired by a trip to Nunavut. The undulating white stone façade, which appears to float above the ground, recalls the scale and carved forms of the North as well as the artwork housed within.

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Wednesday, Jun. 22, 2022

PHOTO BY LINDSAY REID
Visible Vault, Qaumajuq, the Inuit art centre at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

A wave of daily deals

2 minute read Preview

A wave of daily deals

2 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 21, 2022

Owning a cabin is wonderful, but it isn’t cheap. With inflation taking hold, stretching a dollar is becoming more difficult. You’re not the only one who has noticed. Many of us who work on Lake Life magazine’s creative team love cabin life, but we’re feeling the pinch, too.

While it’s our job to bring you Manitoba-centric stories and inspiring pictures, we thought we would also hunt for deals to share with you. And we found them!

We were surprised by just how close our search brought us, we landed on our own Free Press website — in our coupon section!

We get it, you’re not a coupon clipper. Neither are most of us. But these coupons require no scissors or bulky binders to carry from store to store. To access deals, just click a button or two.

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Tuesday, Jun. 21, 2022

Let the sunshine in

By Jim Timlick 3 minute read Preview

Let the sunshine in

By Jim Timlick 3 minute read Saturday, Jun. 18, 2022

If our home is our castle, then our backyard could be considered our playground.

Never has that been more true than now, according to Jane Gagnon, customer experience manager for Backyard Paradise by SunCo, a Headingley-based company that specializes in sunrooms and other custom-made backyard structures.

“The impact of the pandemic has been huge. Everybody is doing staycations now,” Gagnon says. “People are realizing … they can enjoy their property and our province even better.”

Gagnon says sunrooms continue to be one of her company’s most requested backyard builds. Not only do they add more useable space to a home, but they also allow homeowners to be able to enjoy the outdoors longer, in some cases for as long as nine or 10 months a year, she adds.

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Saturday, Jun. 18, 2022

Giving and getting help in our community

By Trina Rehberg Boyko 4 minute read Preview

Giving and getting help in our community

By Trina Rehberg Boyko 4 minute read Friday, Jun. 17, 2022

We can’t always predict that we’ll need a helping hand, but we’re fortunate to be surrounded by a giving community if we ever do.

Vince Barletta, CEO of Harvest Manitoba, tells of a client-turned-friend who called Harvest after hitting a financial hurdle with the cost of her cancer medication and rising inflation. Having retired from a career where she gave to community organizations, she found herself on the receiving end.

Barletta is seeing more and more people struggling due to disability, age and, of course, inflation. The supports that were in place in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), are fewer and farther between. This has had a lasting impact on the community, particularly for those on a fixed income.

“Demand for our hamper program has grown by 40 per cent this past year,” he says.

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Friday, Jun. 17, 2022

Submitted photo
Vince Barletta, CEO of Harvest Mantioba.

Seek experts to plan a legacy

By Neil Coligan 4 minute read Preview

Seek experts to plan a legacy

By Neil Coligan 4 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 15, 2022

Life is busy. It keeps many of us from pondering important questions. How will we be remembered? What will be our legacy? Will the values important to us be respected by our family? These questions need to be addressed while we have the time.

Yes, people draw up wills or some document, but planning for when we’re gone involves much more.

Planning for what happens after our death can be difficult. Because others are involved — mainly your loved ones — it is never easy. These decisions can be made less uncertain and less stressful with the help of experts.

Rosalynn Sheldon is an advance planning consultant with Cropo Funeral Chapel in Winnipeg. She says pre-arranging a funeral or memorial service relieves the burden on loved ones during an already emotional time. It also eliminates the task of second-guessing what that person would have wanted.

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Wednesday, Jun. 15, 2022

Supplied photo
Ellen Murray is a senior financial planner and insurance advisor with Westoba Financial Solutions in Brandon.

Plan now to give later

By Kristin Marand 4 minute read Preview

Plan now to give later

By Kristin Marand 4 minute read Sunday, Jun. 12, 2022

Planned giving is a documented intention to leave a gift to an organization close to your heart. It is a way to create and preserve your legacy that can be part of your current financial plan, your will or your estate plan. It can also be a way to ensure the things you love and are most important to you can continue even after you’re gone.

Diane Lambert Shack, leadership and legacy officer with The Salvation Army Prairie Division, explains that a person’s approach to philanthropy can change as you move through the seasons of your life.

“You could decide at age 16 to volunteer. Then when you get your first job and start making money, you make an annual gift at Christmas. When you get married, you decide not to have wedding gifts and you make donations to a charity instead. Later, it grows further because you meet with your financial planner to determine what you’re going to do down the road with your estate and your last will and testament with your lawyer,” she illustrates.

When Shack converses with prospective donors, she takes the time to get to know them each individually to understand their interests and motivations.

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Sunday, Jun. 12, 2022

Festival bigger, better than ever after two-year hiatus

By Todd Lewys 4 minute read Preview

Festival bigger, better than ever after two-year hiatus

By Todd Lewys 4 minute read Friday, Jun. 10, 2022

When the organizers of Pride Winnipeg were told that the second National Fierté Canada Pride Festival was going to be held in Winnipeg in May and June of 2020, they were ecstatic.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic put the festival on hold for two years.

Now, with the National Fierté Canada Pride Festival officially on — it will be held from May 27 to June 5 — Pride Festival Winnipeg president Barry Karlenzig says all systems are go for the 2022 event.

“Everyone is super excited,” he says, noting that 2022 is also the 35th anniversary of the Pride Winnipeg Festival. “We’re going to have 150 to 200 volunteers helping us put on the event, along with our operating team of 46. It’s going to be the first outdoor festival in Canada since COVID, so there’s going to be a really good turnout.”

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Friday, Jun. 10, 2022

Simplifying life out at the cottage

3 minute read Preview

Simplifying life out at the cottage

3 minute read Friday, May. 20, 2022

On the surface, life out at the cottage seems simple.

Look a little deeper, and it’s more complex than it appears.

Take property lines, for example.

In the city, property borders are usually defined by fences.

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Friday, May. 20, 2022

Photo courtesy of Advance Electronics.
Photo courtesy of Advance Electronics.

Kicking it old school

By Trina Rehberg Boyko 3 minute read Preview

Kicking it old school

By Trina Rehberg Boyko 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 18, 2022

Stormy nights at the cabin can be just as enjoyable as days spent outside in the sun, especially when you put away the technology and get back to basics. Here, we’ve got some old-school, rainy-weather activities to keep kids busy when they’re cooped up indoors.

Set up camp

Push a couple chairs together, throw a blanket over top and voilà—you’ve got a blanket fort. Fill it with pillows and sleeping bags, and kids can pretend they’re camping under the stars.

Have fun with flashlights

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Wednesday, May. 18, 2022

Don’t let stormy weather get you down

By Jim Timlick 6 minute read Preview

Don’t let stormy weather get you down

By Jim Timlick 6 minute read Monday, May. 16, 2022

It was a dark and stormy night, and not a creature was stirring in the cottage.

See, a storm had rolled in a few hours earlier and knocked out power to dozens of cottages in the area. That meant dinner was cancelled, catching the big game on TV was no longer an option, and the book that’s such a page-turner would have to wait.

While preventing such a scenario is virtually impossible, there is plenty you can do to prepare for it, says one local cottage builder.

Oscar Dyson, owner of Dyson Construction, says a growing number of cottage owners are turning to diesel-powered backup generator systems like Generac to power their cottage’s electrical system in the event of an outage. Depending on the type of generator, it can power a cottage’s furnace, hot water tank, sump pump and other devices for up to 48 hours.

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Monday, May. 16, 2022

It’s time to go to the mattresses

By Charlene Adam 3 minute read Preview

It’s time to go to the mattresses

By Charlene Adam 3 minute read Friday, Apr. 29, 2022

Environmentalists have achieved a great deal. For many, however, the environmental cause is still seen as a battle. And as we’ve learned from epic movies such as The Godfather or You’ve Got Mail, when you engage in battle, you have to “go to the mattresses.”

With modern production, distribution and recycling programs, we can now literally go to the mattresses for the environment by simply choosing the right ones.

Larger ticket items such as these have always required deeper inspection prior to purchase. And sustainability can now be part of that decision-making process.

Newer companies, such as Canadian-owned Polysleep Canada, are responding to the call for sustainable beds. Their products are made with recyclable foam.

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Friday, Apr. 29, 2022

Leading the Way in Fundraising Field

Jennifer McFee 3 minute read Preview

Leading the Way in Fundraising Field

Jennifer McFee 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2022

Anyone can be a leader, regardless of age, background or role.

Karen Fowler, president and CEO of St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, came to this realization while she rose up the ranks.

She gleaned inspiration from Brené Brown’s popular book Dare to Lead after making a conscious decision to learn more about leadership.

“I suddenly realized that being a leader was actually possible for anyone,” she says.

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Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2022

Darcy Finley
Karen Fowler, president and CEO of St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

Counting down to Earth Day

By Jennifer McFee 4 minute read Preview

Counting down to Earth Day

By Jennifer McFee 4 minute read Monday, Apr. 25, 2022

Earth Day offers an ideal time to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage others to take action.

The first Earth Day celebration took place in the United States on April 22, 1970, and today it’s celebrated in more than 130 countries around the world.

Thomas Mulcair, former NDP leader, now acts as board chair for Earth Day Canada, which aims to help individuals and organizations to reduce their environmental impact.

“As a former Environment minister and author of Quebec’s Sustainable Development Act, our obligation towards future generations has always been paramount for me,” he says.

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Monday, Apr. 25, 2022

And the survey says…

5 minute read Preview

And the survey says…

5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2022

About three years ago, the federal government launched a new initiative designed to equip provinces and territories with the ability to better deal with the constantly evolving challenges associated with climate change.

The Building Regional Adaptation Capacity and Expertise initiative, or BRACE, was aimed at building the capacity of professionals (primarily engineers and planners) as well as Indigenous organizations and business communities in northern Manitoba to identify and address the risks associated with climate change.

Suffice it to say, it was hard to know where to start. Such an ambitious initiative had never been undertaken before. Project outlines were produced to illustrate what the project would look like, and a request for proposals was to be sent out to select the organizations that would deliver training to participants.

Then, in early 2021, Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba commissioned Winnipeg-based Probe Research to conduct a survey. Simply put, it was focused on identifying where practitioners were at in dealing with climate change, and what tools would be needed to better deal with it as they moved forward in designing infrastructure and systems that would be affected by the anticipated intensification of climate change.

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Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2022

Darcy Finley photo
Curt Hull is one of the leaders of Manitoba’s Climate Resilience Training (MCRT) project that is conducting climate risk assessment and adaption strategies for public infrastructure in the province.

Kat Reno Sets the Standard

Todd Lewys 2 minute read Preview

Kat Reno Sets the Standard

Todd Lewys 2 minute read Monday, Apr. 18, 2022

KAT Reno, an established renovation company in Winnipeg, maintains membership with the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association. The long-standing company is Reno Mark certified and is a Certified Master Renovator, which is a designation given by the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.

Owners Kevin and Angie Kendel left no stone unturned in equipping themselves to offer the highest possible level of service to Winnipeggers.

An interior designer by trade, Angie takes pride in being a Certified Aging in Place Specialist. “We can do any modifications for seniors, or anyone needing accommodations to their home, to enhance accessibility with wheelchair ramps or zero-clearance showers to lowering switches, cabinets or countertops,” Angie says. “Basically, we can customize spaces for people to accommodate their needs.”

And while KAT Reno has been coming to customers’ homes to perform renovation magic for the past two-plus decades, customers will soon be able to come to them to do some in-person brainstorming about renovation projects.

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Monday, Apr. 18, 2022

Having a positive impact

By Wendy King 5 minute read Preview

Having a positive impact

By Wendy King 5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 13, 2022

The adaptive demands posed by climate change are almost beyond the scope of human comprehension.

Trina Semenchuk, an Engineering Intern with Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, 24, is a next-generation engineering professional who says the future of climate change is already here and facing it is going to require shifts on a tectonic scale, both technological and cultural, to meet the challenge.

Semenchuk, a recent graduate of the biosystems engineering program and a current master’s student at the University of Manitoba, has been a research assistant on the BRACE Project (Building Regional Adaptation Capacity Expertise) and helped assist in developing the Environment and Climate Change Plan for Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba.

“An environmental engineer works on design or technologies where they have a general positive impact on the environment,” Semenchuk says. “It can include areas like remediation planning, geothermal systems design, water treatment, solid waste diversion, and sustainable building materials. It’s a pretty diverse field.”

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Wednesday, Apr. 13, 2022

Engineers will play a key role in determining how we deal with climate change and its impact on the built environment.

Expert insights from Bryan Baeumler

Jennifer McFee 4 minute read Preview

Expert insights from Bryan Baeumler

Jennifer McFee 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 8, 2022

Have you ever wondered what actually goes on behind the scenes on reality TV renovation shows?

HGTV Canada personality Bryan Baeumler will offer a glimpse into that world when he takes the stage at the Winnipeg Home and Garden Show.

These days, Baeumler spends his time travelling between Canada, Florida and the Bahamas for shooting Season 4 of Island of Bryan. This binge-worthy show follows the path of Baeumler and his wife Sarah, who moved their family to an undeveloped Bahamian island to renovate a dilapidated beach resort.

“It’s a really transformative season for our family as we’re spending more time travelling back and forth to the island, settling the kids in South Florida and continuing to manage and expand our businesses,” he says.

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Friday, Apr. 8, 2022

Assessing the risk

Pat Rediger 5 minute read Preview

Assessing the risk

Pat Rediger 5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2022

Little did professional engineer Jeff O’Driscoll realize that when he was contracted to assess the risk to Portage La Prairie’s water resources infrastructure due to climate change back in 2007 that he would be laying the foundation for a new engineering protocol that would be used throughout the world.

O’Driscoll’s work on behalf of Engineers Canada has evolved to become the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee (PIEVC) protocol, which assesses climate risk across a range of infrastructure systems including buildings, water systems, roads, electricity and airports.

“It was the early days of climate change and communities like Portage were innovative and wanted to meet the challenge,” says O’Driscoll, a member of Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba.

“There’s been a huge amount of development of this process over the years and the acceptance of it along the way from municipalities, provincial agencies, and federal government agencies. In those early days there were 10 or 15 assessments and now its in the hundreds. There’s also a variety of countries around the world where this protocol is being promoted and is a really useful step to understand climate risk for infrastructure.”

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Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2022

Expert advice to fund a Joyful Life

Wendy King 3 minute read Preview

Expert advice to fund a Joyful Life

Wendy King 3 minute read Friday, Apr. 1, 2022

Do you have a dream for your future? What does it cost to have the life you really want? How can we help you connect with your desires and wants, then set out to achieve them?

“The word ‘retirement’ needs to be retired, and the term ‘jubilation’ adopted,” says Debbie Styles, CFP (certified financial planner) and founder of dts lifeStyles.

She says financial planning is more than building security for a far off future that some people may not be able to enjoy. It’s about bringing people into the present and funding a joyful life.

“As a financial advisor, I have a responsibility to see those around me rise,” she says.

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Friday, Apr. 1, 2022

Debbie Styles, CFP (certified financial planner) and founder of dts lifeStyles

Todd Talbot reflects on real estate, renovations and more

Jennifer McFee 3 minute read Preview

Todd Talbot reflects on real estate, renovations and more

Jennifer McFee 3 minute read Monday, Aug. 22, 2022

Todd Talbot, co-host of HGTV Canada’s Love It or List It Vancouver, has been contemplating trends that have developed over the past two tumultuous years.

“Everyone is interested in how to best manage their home asset. Conversations have shifted over the last two years about how to make your space more liveable and what types of renovations to focus on,” he says.

“People have changed the way they’ve used their space in terms of home offices and the transition to having kids at home more often.”

As a result, we’re experiencing a renewed mindset about our abodes.

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Monday, Aug. 22, 2022

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