Lions club presents Melvin Jones Award

Lions district governor Jan Nazarko (left) is pictured presenting Angela Casey, a longtime Lions Club of Riverside member, with a Melvin Jones Award recently. The award is one of the highest awards that can be presented in the club, organizers say.

Assiniboine Park — Winnipeg’s urban gem

When people think of iconic urban parks, New York City usually comes to mind. However, right here in Winnipeg, the sprawling 1,100-acre Assiniboine Park quietly claims a surprising distinction: our urban gem is more than 250 acres larger than Central Park. Making it one of Canada’s largest city greenspaces. But size is only part of the story.

With Winnipeg’s rapid growth in the late 19th century, civic leaders believed an urban park was essential for improving quality of life, while also making the city more attractive. Assiniboine Park was designed by Frederick G. Todd in 1905, one of Canada’s early landscape architects. He had trained as a student under renowned influences like Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer behind New York’s Central Park.

Assiniboine Park officially opened on Victoria Day in 1909. Landscaped in the English style, it included tree-lined roadways, formal gardens, walking paths, open fields, and a pond.

The original Pavilion was built in 1908 and designed by John D. Atchison, consisting of a dance hall, banquet space, and water tower. The zoo was also established in 1908, starting with a small collection of deer donated by local citizens. By the time of the park’s opening in 1909, the zoo had grown to include 116 animals across 19 species.

What’s in a number?

The words of a local group of playwrights, which is celebrating a decade as a collective, will soon come alive on stage.

Dramatists in Dotage will present Age is Just a Number! — a reading of six short plays by Kevin Longfield, Jenny Gates, Bruce Sarbit, Armin Wiebe, Brian Richardson, and Sue Proctor. Lynne Martin is also a member of the group.

There will be two events, which will be held at the Gargoyle Theatre, which is located at 585 Ellice Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 4 — doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. — and Sunday, Oct. 5 — doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the show starts at 2 p.m.

According to a release, the group — which was formed in 2015 — collaborates in the creation, writing and sharing of ideas, words and stories with a variety of audiences, and played a key role in the development of plays that have been professionally produced, won contests, and received honourable mentions.

Kicking their way to nationals

Winnipeg Phoenix FC’s U15 Girls will be representing Manitoba at Canada Soccer’s 2025 National Championships next month.

This is in the wake of going undefeated and earning first place at the Manitoba Soccer Association’s provincial championships, winning 8-2 in the final against Bonivital Flames. Now, the girls are training hard before they fly off to Charlottetown, P.E.I. to take on opposing teams hailing from all over the country in the Girls U15 Cup.

Avery Mochnacz, who plays right back, described the development as “kind of a shock,” adding that she and many of her fellow players — who have essentially grown up together, on the field — have been dreaming of this moment since they were little.

“It’ll be a really good experience for all of us,” the 14-year-old said.

Drawing for others

Those looking to participate in Orange Shirt Day — now recognized as National Day for Truth & Reconciliation — on Sept. 30, but unsure about where to purchase an orange shirt to show their solidarity, are being called upon to support a local artist and not-for-profit organization.

Rossbrook House is currently selling new orange shirts depicting art by 18-year-old Trinity Apetagon, who works at the 24/7 youth space located at 658 Ross Ave. The shirt design was inspired by the building and people who occupy it, she said, as well as what National Day for Truth & Reconciliation represents, at its core. All funds collected from the shirts will go towards supporting Rossbrook’s programming directed at supporting vulnerable children in the inner city.

“When I was creating it, I thought of Indigenous culture and how Indigenous culture is important with Rossbrook’s values,” Apetagon, who is Indigenous, said. “I actually got the Medicine Wheel symbol from this artwork that’s basically on the ceiling, hanging from it. They have the colors of the Medicine Wheel. And I put it in a heart to symbolize community and love.”

The design also depicts an Indigenous youth, which could be interpreted as a boy or a girl, as well as a survivor of residential schools, or even a youth attending Rossbrook, Apetagon said.

Back to Ottawa for fall session

Along with being an honour and a privilege, it has been an exciting first few months as the Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona.

We have had many face-to-face meetings with local residents, small businesses, and community organizations. I would like to give a special shout out to Habitat for Humanity, as I was honoured to join them for a day building new homes for deserving families in our area. I am so proud to contribute to an organization that makes a real difference for families in the riding.

As we are set to head back to Ottawa for the next session of Parliament, we are committed to keeping constituents informed on what is happening in the House of Commons. We as Conservatives will have a clear focus on delivering results for Canadians. Our current priorities are:

• Protecting jobs for hardworking Canadians;

Park Theatre celebrates 20-year anniversary with a birthday bash concert

If you stepped into The Park Theatre in 2005, you could grab a coffee in the retro-style café, see a second-run film, or rent a DVD. Even though Erick Casselman’s original concept attracted patrons, he always envisioned a venue filled with music.

When JP Hoe, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter, asked Casselman if he could do a live recording at Park Theatre, he immediately said yes.

JP Hoe & the Truly Richards recorded The Live Beta Project over two nights. The live recording helped to establish the venue as a space for emerging artists.

“Erick turned a corner,” said Hoe. “It worked out well for everyone. Over the years, I’ve done about 20 different shows at The Park Theatre.”

CUAC hosting 100th anniversary event on Sept. 19

The Canadian Ukrainian Athletic Club (CUAC) is holding a 100-year legacy celebration on Sept. 19. The event, with afternoon and evening sessions, will take place at the Sinclair Park Community Centre, a North End location that once was home to the organization.

The club was formed in the fall of 1925 to promote sports among Ukrainian young people in Winnipeg. The club’s motto was “Sound of body – sound of mind.” The founding executive was headed by president Nick Shaley. In 1937, future city councillor Slaw Rebchuk, the club president, led a successful drive to find a permanent home on the corner of Arlington Street and Church Avenue. A railway boxcar on the empty lot served as the first clubhouse. In 1972, CUAC’s connection to the Church and Arlington complex ended. The city recommended a centralized operation of recreation facilities and the location was renamed Sinclair Park Community Centre.

The afternoon session on Sept.19 will include a presentation of the early years through to the present with old photos, trophies and memorabilia. The evening will have a special program with a variety of features and entertainment. Alumni will have the opportunity to socialize and remember the past at both sessions. You can see a list of who’s coming at cuac.andrichmedia.ca

Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoueux, Mayor Scott Gillingham and Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) are among the special guests.

The need for scientific literacy

As a Canadian, I am sometimes a bit smug when comparing Canada to the United States. I like to think that what is happening right now in the U.S. could not possibly happen in Canada — but I would be wrong.

Case in point: The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) is now led by an unqualified person with no scientific training and an extremist ideology. He apparently believes that vaccines are more dangerous than the deadly diseases they control. He has mused that letting diseases run through a population might be a good thing. It would kill the “weak” — leaving individuals with “superior genes” to reproduce.

Statements like these reflect a low level of scientific literacy. While the fastest rabbits can outrun a fox, this does not mean they are inherently superior in other ways. If a chicken or a farm ostrich survives avian flu, their descendants may inherit the ability to survive avian flu. It does not make them immune to other diseases. Nor are they superior in other ways (smarter, faster, tastier, etc.).

As I watched the destruction of the CDC, I recalled a time when the Canadian government appointed a Minister of Environment who was unqualified for the position. At the time, I thought this was because there were so few elected representatives with scientific knowledge or experience. I later realized that the intent was to dismantle the department and undo its regulatory work (as with the CDC). Scientific qualifications were irrelevant.

A haunting classic comes to life

A local theatre company is getting a jump on Halloween season.

Hood & Dagger Productions will open its second season by staging an adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s classic, The Haunting of Hill House, Oct. 23 to 26 at the Martial-Caron Theatre at Université de Saint-Boniface (200 De La Cathedrale Ave.).

“Stephen King has said The Haunting of Hill House is the best haunted house story of the 20th century — and he would know,” said Crystal Hood, executive director.

“Halloween is my favourite holiday, so I was very excited at the chance to be a part of a spooky play just in time for it,” said Kyle Boch, who will play the part of Arthur in the upcoming production. “I had not heard of The Haunting of Hill House or Shirley Jackson before, though having seen the last two productions of Hood and Dagger’s, I was confident it would be good. Sure enough, I have been quickly drawn in by its gothic charm.”

Experiencing autumn’s magic

Ah yes, the time has come. Summer’s long, lazy days are fading, and a subtle but important shift is happening in our community. All that is green is turning to gold, orange, and red — but it goes beyond the trees and flowers and what we see as we pass through River Park South. It is a collective change; subtle, yet purposeful as both people and nature prepare to settle in for winter.

It’s barely mid-September and already routines have shifted. School buses are visible and plentiful during the morning and late afternoon commutes. Transit buses are packed as they ferry students to high school, college, and university. Learners are adapting to new schedules, trading the rhythm of summer holidays for one that includes homework and packed lunches. This time of year isn’t just about a new school year; it’s also about a community’s seasonal recalibration. I feel a pull to reconnect with my surroundings.

Cooler days mean I don’t have to wait for the temperature to drop in the evening before going for a walk or bike ride, and the intense midday sun isn’t as much of a concern when walking on paths soon to be covered in fallen leaves or moving through forests where, in a few weeks, the view of the sky won’t be blocked by a canopy of leaves. It’s a time to slow down and appreciate the small details—I look forward to seeing pumpkins on porches, flocks of migrating geese overhead, and visiting the corn maze. I eagerly anticipate the traditions that make our community unique. Which houses will go all out this year for Halloween, transforming their yards into elaborate haunted scenes? There’s excitement as spooky decorations start to appear, sparking a sense of playful rivalry and shared spectacle. This mood carries us into the festive season, where the anticipation shifts from ghostly to sparkly. We know that soon the same houses decorated in spiderwebs will be illuminated with dazzling Christmas lights, a colourful highlight during the long winter nights.

Autumn’s magic lies in its sense of shared experience. Everyone in the community is part of this transition. We’re all bundling up a bit more, enjoying the cozy feeling of a warm sweater, and preparing for the winter ahead. The season reminds us that change is constant, but in our community, we move through it together, bound by the simple rhythms and traditions that make this time of year special.

Whyte Ridge summer carnival a success

While it was a little cool and windy on the afternoon of Aug. 24, more than 250 people attended the Whyte Ridge Community Centre (WRCC) summer carnival for some family fun.

The carnival has been almost an annual event in the community for about 30 years, with initial events being held at the Whyte Ridge Elementary School, before the WRCC became fully functional. It’s one of the core events that really does reflect the main purpose of the community centre – to bring families and neighbours together to get to know each other and have fun, with sports, games, food and music.

Activities at the carnival included bubble soccer, with players playing inside inflatable bubbles, as well as mini golf, a hockey shoot, a giant Connect 4, an indoor play structure, glitter tattoos and crafts for the kids. Buzz and Boomer from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were a huge hit and put smiles on everyone’s faces, with live entertainment provided by Red Road Music Company.

The food was donated by Sobey’s Kenaston, who also provided a volunteer team to cook the more than 500 hotdogs and hand out the chips and drinks. MLA Obby Khan, MP Ben Carr, and Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) were in attendance playing games, cooking hot dogs, and blowing bubbles with community members.