Sparkling into spring

Dozens of ladies dressed in red, white, and purple gather around tables on a sunny summer day in Winnipeg. They’ve come from all over the province to be here and it’s the group’s first-time meeting in the city.

This is the Crown Jewels Society of Canada, a national organization made of several chapters across each province. It’s Manitoba’s Spring Fling, a day where all chapters in the province are invited to.

It’s no work, no commitment, and we just have fun, said Cheryl McKitrick, the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario representative and one of the original founders of the Crown Jewels Society.

The best way to describe McKitrick, and the day, is sparkly. Chatter, glamour, and 62 jewels fill the hall at the Parish of Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens in Windsor Park.

Annual walk for colorectal cancer takes place June 7

Maybe not every person is comfortable talking about what goes on in the bathroom, but Deb Tycholiz — a cancer survivor and local advocate — is encouraging people to talk about their poop.

It’s the 30th year for the national annual Push for Your Tush Walk to raise awareness and funds for colorectal cancer research, and the fifth walk in Winnipeg. The walk is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, at Kildonan Park at the north shelter.

There’ll be munchies, a DJ, facepainting, a trainer hyping everyone up before hand, and then participants have the option of walking or running five or 10 kilometres.

“It’s just a lot of fun, I like to make people laugh,” Tycholiz said. “So, when I do my opening spiel, I talk about it. I talk about poop and what we’re here for. For a walk that is so serious, we like to make it fun so people will remember it.”

UJPO/JFSJ to hold landmark celebration event on June 25

All are welcome to attend an upcoming event, titled Joy and Struggle, that marks a milestone for an organization with origins that can be traced back to the arrival of Jewish immigrants to Canada.

The Winnipeg Chapter of the United Jewish People’s Order, which is subtitled Jews for Social Justice, will mark the 100th anniversary of the organization’s Winnipeg connections with an event that will be held on Thursday, June 25 from 7 to 9 p.m.

According to the organization’s website, UJPO was created in 1945 when the Labour League in Toronto, formed in 1927, and the Canadian Workmen’s Circle in Montreal and Winnipeg, formed in 1926, merged. The website states the organization “proudly maintains its socialist and secular orientation, which is reflected in the many cultural and educational programs that take place in Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.”

“It morphed out of mutual benefit societies and new immigrants to Canada who struggled with discrimination and exploitation,” said board member Ellen Karlinsky, noting how UJPO champions secular Jewish culture and education with a commitment to social justice. “There was no safety for them, and people helped each other.”

Straight from the art

A local art-themed event will continue to show the love as it returns to the West End Cultural Centre for a third successive year.

Art from the Heart, a community show and sale presented by Artbeat Studio, will showcase approximately 150 creations by local artists who are on lower incomes, live with a disability, or hail from the inner city. Each participating artist could enter up to two works in the show and, in keeping with Artbeat Studio’s community-first mission, participating artists will keep all the proceeds from sales of their work.

Uyen Pham, executive director of Artbeat Studio, said one of main goals of Art from the Heart is to help level the playing field and provide artists with a broader outlet for showcasing their work, regardless of their circumstances, income or challenges they may be facing.

“It’s about accessibility to art and giving people the ability to sell their art,” Pham said, noting Artbeat Studio took over the stewardship of Art from the Heart in 2024. It began as a volunteer-led initiative at the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre in 1999. “Sometimes artists don’t have the means or the funds to have a show.”

Grant helps Ukrainian newcomers learn English

The Manitoba government’s recent $500,000 grant to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Manitoba Provincial Council (UCC-MPC) will enable the organization to expand English language training and supports to the many Ukrainian newcomers wanting to make Winnipeg home. It’s also a celebration of a program that grew from an idea three years ago into one that’s served 1,000 people today.

“English language training is one of the most important tools helping Ukrainian newcomers build successful lives in Manitoba, opening doors to employment, education and full participation in our communities,” said Joanne Lewandosky, UCC-MPC president. “We are deeply grateful to the Manitoba government for its ongoing support of Ukrainians forced to come to Canada because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and for investing in programs that help newcomers integrate and contribute to our province.”

UCC-MPC ESL for Ukrainian newcomers co-ordinator Susan Zuk said the initiative began in May 2023 with three classes. Church and community members sought to help the many Ukrainian newcomers who spoke limited or no English. Because existing services were overwhelmed by the sudden surge in need, new options were needed.

“We thought maybe we could do something,” Zuk said.

Stay safe with MB Ready

This year, our government marked Emergency Preparedness Week, recognized from May 3 to 9, with the launch of the new MB Ready app, a tool designed to help Manitobans stay informed, connected, and prepared during emergencies.

One of the things I hear often from constituents is that folks want clear and reliable information during emergencies. Folks want to know what is happening, how it may affect their families, and where they can find trusted updates. MB Ready was created with that in mind.

The app provides real-time, location-based notifications about emergencies and hazards across the province, including wildfires, severe weather, road closures, floods, and power outages. Users can customize alerts for places that matter most to them, whether that’s home, work, school, or the cottage. Having access to accurate information quickly can help folks make informed decisions and stay safe.

MB Ready also includes practical tools and resources to help households prepare before emergencies happen. Manitobans can learn how to create emergency plans, build emergency kits, understand local risks, and access safety information during emergencies. Preparedness is not about fear, it’s about making sure folks feel supported, informed, and ready when unexpected situations arise.

Longtime Challenge for Life participant walks to honour family members

Since Challenge for Life’s inception in 2008, Brenda Dahle has laced up for the 20-kilometre walk 18 times and single-handedly raised around $30,000.

Her involvement has always been deeply personal. She lost two sisters, an aunt and a cousin to cancer. More recently, both Dahle and her husband received treatment for cancer.

In May 2021, Dahle experienced pain radiating down her left shoulder and arm. She went to physio, but that didn’t help. Finally, she received a referral from her family doctor for an MRI.

Even though Dahle never smoked a day in her life, she received a diagnosis of lung cancer in November 2021. She underwent 22 radiation treatments and received immunotherapy every three weeks for two years.

Getting into gardening

Five years ago, when my wife asked for a garden, I had no idea what I was getting into.

Like any hobby, it can be as mellow or as serious as you want to make it. Gardening is no big deal, all you need is a little bit of dirt and a few seeds to water and you’re good to go. Right? On the more serious side, it becomes a science, and I have been blessed with the knowledge that my late Uncle Norm, a master gardener, has passed down to me. I hope that some of this will be helpful for your own gardening hobby.

Seeds: Some last longer than others, between two-to-five years. Storing them in a cool, dark place will maximize their lifespan. Seeds such as onions have a short shelf life of one-to-two years, whereas cucumber and squash seeds have the longest and can be good for up to five years. Others such as beans, peas, spinach and peppers can still germinate well after two or three years. Carrots, tomatoes, beets, cabbage and radishes can last up to three-to-four years. Speaking of germination, a waterproof heating pad set for approximately 18 to 20 Celsius will help with the process until the plants begin to sprout. As they grow to be an inch or so you want to shut that heating pad off.

Soil: “Just a little dirt” can vary significantly. In a garden it is suggested that you use something like a four-way or five-way compost mix from your local garden center. When planting early in a grow box you can use up to a 50/50 mix of good potting soil and compost. Watering can be done as soon as the plant is dry, best if you have a potting container that has holes in the bottom to soak up water but also to allow the roots to breathe and not to drown. Have your water room temperature, as you do not want to shock your plants with cold or hot water.

Leia, the flower dog

For those that read my columns regularly, Leia (Star Wars General), our Frenchie is a familiar topic. From her adoption in 2020, and through many medical difficulties, I have shared the highs and lows, and am pleased to report that she continues to thrive with limited medical interventions, largely due to our protocols of raw foods, supplements and probiotics.

In April 2020, Leia entered our family. Jenn from Jenn’s Furry Friends knew that we had just lost our first Frenchie, Stitch. Stitch was a wonderful dog, but had a compromised spine, and at the tender age of four had catastrophic neck disk failure that would have left her in permanent pain even with surgeries.

Knowing that we had experience with the complex partnership that a French bulldog presents, and knowing that Leia could be a difficult path forward, Jenn thought we would be able to handle the challenge.

Leia is a wonderful soul trapped in a body that can’t always keep up. French bulldogs have so many issues and limitations, but make up for that in their dedication and comical nature.

Celebrating students, graduates across Tuxedo

As another school year draws to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students, families, teachers, and school staff across Tuxedo who are celebrating graduation season and the beginning of summer break.

This time of year, is always filled with excitement, reflection, and anticipation for what comes next. Whether students are moving on to a new grade, graduating from high school, or preparing for post-secondary studies, these milestones deserve to be celebrated

Congratulations to the graduating class at Gray Academy. Our office was proud to provide a $500 scholarship to support one of the graduates as they begin the next chapter of their education and future careers. We will also be recognizing additional students with scholarships throughout June. Supporting students and celebrating their achievements is incredibly important, and I am always grateful for opportunities to recognize the dedication and perseverance that graduation represents.

One memorable moment this spring came from the Grade 2 class at St. John Brebeuf School. As part of a classroom project about Canada and Manitoba, students designed and created their own postage stamps featuring Canadian and Manitoba symbols that represent our beautiful province. The creativity, pride, and thoughtfulness they showed in their work was truly inspiring. They were asked to imagine what future Canadian stamps could look like through the eyes of the next generation, and the results were remarkable. I enjoyed visiting the class and presenting a letter recognizing their efforts and celebrating their engagement as young Manitobans.

Two adorable pets looking for forever homes

Meet Papaya. Papaya is a three-month large cross breed who is as sweet as can be. She’s confident, adventurous, and full of energy. She will make an excellent adventure pawtner for some very lucky family. If you are looking for a new best friend, stop by the shelter to meet her.

Meet Froot Loop. Froot Loop is a sweet, gentle boy looking for a patient and understanding family. Until recently, he had never truly experienced love, so learning to trust people has been a slow journey for him. Every day, though, he’s making progress. Instead of hiding away, Froot Loop has started watching shelter staff with curiosity. He’s begun accepting lickable tube treats, and even enjoys gentle pats! With the right person and a calm, loving home, we know Froot Loop will continue to blossom and finally feel safe enough to show his true personality.

Pothole season

Well, spring has finally arrived, though it seemed like we reverted back to fall here and there with some chilly weather.

How can you tell spring is finally here?

By all the road construction signs, of course — and those dreaded potholes. I just don’t get it. How is it that a lot of the same streets and roads are being torn up and rebuilt every single year? Some of them aren’t even torn up, they just get patched up with asphalt. We all know how long that lasts…

I was driving down one rain-soaked street and — BOOM — it seemed like I hit something in the road.