Forgotten backyard artist

Manitoba summers are beautiful. So, whenever we have the opportunity to visit our parks, we take that adventure. Recently I did just that, visiting Assiniboine Park and, in particular, the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. Personally, I was astonished what we have in our backyard. Something amazing, something unique and something international.

We are lucky to have Leo Mol’s artwork and to share his work with Canadians and the rest of the world. If you ever been to the sculpture garden at Assiniboine Park, you know what I am talking about — it is, as they say “awesome.”

Mol contributed immensely to Canada’s multicultural mosaic. He dedicated his talent and skill to the tapestry of Canada and to his heritage in the area of history and culture. The sculpture garden displays his personal collection of priceless bronze sculptures, paintings, ceramics, porcelains, sketches and more than 300 pieces of artwork that he donated over to the City of Winnipeg over the years

The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden was officially opened in 1992. If you have intentions of going to the Park this summer, please visit the “forgotten backyard artist” by the name of Leo Mol, you will be surprised.

Peter John Manastyrsky

Niverville

TV hockey no longer free

Re: Tradition gone (June. 17)

I’m only a casual hockey fan but, like most Canadians, I enjoy occasionally watching games on TV, especially during the playoffs. I did find it amusing that this year’s final was between teams from cities where ice never forms on puddles.

Next season, Canadians will have to pay extra to do something they’ve been able to do for free for almost 75 years — watch NHL hockey.

To add insult to injury, NHL broadcasts are controlled by Rogers, a company with a history of not caring about the consumer. Remember negative-option billing?

Bill Carlson

Winnipeg

Vitality knows no age

Re: Seniors, students bond over bocce ( June 19)

I was happy to read about mutual respect and understanding between the students and residents. A wonderful learning experience for all who participated.

The quote that stood out for me was from resident Michelle Savage who said, “A lot of people look down to us and treat us like kids. We’re not useless. We can still enjoy things and laugh and have a good time.”

I’ve heard older people mention they feel invisible and not appreciated. I am an older adult and I’ve encountered people speaking more slowly to me and ignoring me at retail establishments.

Michelle’s quote brought a smile to me — well said.

Cindy Kelly

Winnipeg

Blowing in the wind

Re: Opposition forms to First Nation’s bid for wind farm (June 19)

The recent article citing opposition to Swan Lake First Nation and Innergex Renewable Energy’s proposed wind power project includes several opinions that are not in line with the facts.

The featured opponent of the project argues that a proposed wind farm will “disturb day-to-day life and have adverse environmental and economical impacts.” These claims are not supported by the research or the reality of this technology.

Wind farms are economic boons for rural municipalities and landowners who lease out their land, providing decades of stable revenue amidst increasingly tumultuous agricultural conditions.

Direct land use by wind turbines, roads, and infrastructure is among the lowest of all energy generation options, with the vast remainder of the project area still available for farming.

Likewise, wind turbines have minimal impacts on local communities and environments, with numerous studies debunking widespread misinformation about their supposed effects on the health and well-being of area residents.

Wind power has enormous benefits for local communities and the province’s electrical grid. We should ensure that we ground the conversation in facts to avoid perpetuating misinformation.

James Wilt

Winnipeg

Breakthrough or stalemate?

The June 2026 U.S.–Iran agreement has been described as a breakthrough in reducing tensions and preventing further escalation in the Middle East. It establishes a ceasefire, restores limited economic co-operation, and opens a short window for continued negotiations.

However, the deal appears more like a temporary pause than a lasting solution. Key issues — especially those of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, verification mechanisms, and long-term security guarantees — are postponed for future talks rather than resolved. This raises concerns that the agreement may simply delay another cycle of conflict.

Critics also argue that the agreement provides Iran with meaningful economic relief and diplomatic recognition while requiring relatively limited immediate concessions. This imbalance has led some observers to question whether the deal strengthens stability or simply reshapes the power dynamics in Iran’s favour.

Supporters counter that avoiding immediate military escalation is a significant achievement, particularly in such a volatile region. Still, skepticism remains about whether both sides have the trust and political will needed to sustain progress.

Overall, the agreement is best understood as a fragile, short-term compromise rather than a durable peace settlement.

Yog Rahi Gupta

Winnipeg

Wheels on the bus …

I credit the mayor with inspiring life-changing transportation for me and increasing employment for Uber drivers.

I used to take one bus to volunteer downtown, now I am faced with three buses and transferring in Winnipeg weather. All this while managing heavy armloads of books which I can’t rest upon benches in bus shelters lest I wake up a sleeping person.

I don’t want to see the mayor “thrown under the bus,” as they say, but I do want to see him take the bus to city hall so he can see with a tourist’s eyes the garbage strewn around his workplace.

Should he have to step over unhoused persons on his doorstep, perhaps he could transfer to a bus taking him to Mitch’s Walk on Main Street every Tuesday and Thursday morning to hand out food and clothes. Before heading home he might like to take a bus or two and join the West Broadway/Downtown Bear Clan Patrol on Graham Avenue and get to meet folks living on the street. If he’s working really late, he could bus it over to walk with the new overnight patrols.

For now, the mayor is in the driver’s seat. The wheels on the bus have gone round and round the social justice issues for too long. The bus stops here.

Heather Emberley

Winnipeg

U.S. should leave Cuba alone

Re: “Cubans need our help” (Letters, June 13)

Congratulations to Linda Taylor on her very insightful letter regarding the situation in Cuba. Canada and the world must help Cuba survive Donald Trump and his cronies’ horrific stranglehold on their basic ability to survive by cutting off oil and supplies.

Tourism is one of Cuba’s main industries but without oil and resources there is no way this industry can survive. How many Canadians and Europeans have enjoyed vacations on this island of proud inhabitants? Canada and the rest of the world need to bring aid to help them survive so the U.S. menace does not swallow them up.

Contrary to their own thinking; the U.S. and Donald Trump/Marco Rubio do not rule the world.

Let’s help Cuba!

Alice M. French

Winnipeg