Penny Priestess offers thoughts, and it doesn’t cost a penny

TEN years ago, a struggling American writer stopped to pick up a penny she spotted lying in the street. Later that same day, the woman heard from an editor who was looking for somebody to pen a mass-market book. Coincidence? The writer didn’t think so and speculated as much in a message to a friend.

“As the emails went back and forth, I established myself as the tongue-incheek authority on lucky pennies,” the woman says from her home near Philadelphia. Her friend concurred, then ordained her the “Penny Priestess.”

Since then, the Penny Priestess has become a go-to source for copper-related queries. People from around the globe now contact the Dear Abby-type through her website (www.pennypriestess. org), seeking answers to head-scratchers like “I have witnessed people finding pennies and then eating them, thinking it was good luck. Is this true?” or “My last name is Penny.

Am I lucky?” (“No,” and “Yes,” the Priestess replied, adding re: the latter, “Think of the poor unfortunates who have to go through life with names like Skoggs or Crapley or Borenschlosser.”) Given that the Winnipeg Free Press’s Pennies from Heaven campaign is once again in full swing, we recently contacted the Penny Priestess to pose a few questions of our own. And to shed some light on a humble marker that, for 17 years, has been the cornerstone of a fundraiser aimed at helping less fortunate Manitobans.

Generous boy knows the need never really ends

Titus Stewart may only be eight, but he dreams big.

Make that weighty dreams.

And now, with Christmas only one sleep away, this year Titus's challenge will help fill the coffers of our Pennies From Heaven campaign to help the Christmas Cheer Board and Winnipeg Harvest.

You see, earlier this year, right after our last Pennies campaign wrapped up, Titus decided to continue collecting pennies for our next drive.

Proud pupils pack up their pennies

If the generosity of students from all 40 schools in the Louis Riel School Division is an indication, then the next generation of philanthropy is in good hands.

Students in the southeast area of the city completed their LRSD for Pennies campaign with a bang, delivering tons of coins in boxes, bottles, bags and pails to the division's administrative offices on Monday.

From there, a panel truck -- riding low because of all the weight -- drove across the city to the North Pole.

Well, actually Christmas Cheer Board headquarters, but at this time of year it's hard to tell the difference with all of the volunteer "elves" there rolling coins, packing hampers and delivering donations.

When it comes to charity, it all adds up

I received a Season's Greetings card last week from a woman who was basically apologizing for what she saw as a small amount on her cheque.

"Wish this cheque could be more, but as my mom always told us 'when it comes to giving it's the thought that counts!' "

Funny how advice like this is timeless, whether it comes from your mom, your dad, your grandparents or someone else. Especially when it comes to a fundraiser for the Christmas Cheer Board and Winnipeg Harvest that bases itself on the smallest coin denomination we have, the penny.

It's a fundraiser that sees everyone in the city -- from the youngest child to the most elderly person -- able to contribute, because you can contribute everything from a penny to a sizable cheque or folding money.

Three-foot angel helps fill bin

I was at two fundraising events for our Pennies from Heaven campaign last weekend.

One was a fashion show and the other was a concert by our Pennies ambassadors, sensational country band Doc Walker.

Thanks to Peppertree Fashions and Connie Hall -- along with all of her angels -- for organizing the fashion fundraiser. The women who modelled the clothes, eyewear and jewelry had a blast and deserved the applause they received.

Attendees also bought tickets for silent auction prizes to help our cause.

The more things change for Doc Walker, the more…

Doc Walker has experienced numerous changes over the years as the band evolved from small country band from Portage la Prairie to award-winning act with a coast-to-coast following.

But some things remain the same.

"Yesterday I was sticking out of the back of the bus repairing the alternator, so some things never change," frontman Chris Thorsteinson says with a laugh.

When the band members first started touring Canada more than a decade ago they were driving a troublesome 1974 MCI beast they dubbed Frank the Tank. These days they are in a newer 1994 Prevost bus named Ruby equipped with satellite TV and an Internet connection, but no matter the conditions inside the bus and the band's national status, Thorsteinson still plays mechanic when the crap hits the fan belt.

Guitar, gold ring could be yours for helping Pennies

ARE you with me tonight?

Tonight, Doc Walker will play this year’s Pennies from Heaven theme song Beautiful Life during their concert at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre. Maybe I will see you there.

But even if you aren’t there, someone out there will soon be the proud owner of a beautiful guitar signed by the guys in Doc Walker — Chris Thorsteinson, Dave Wasyliw and Murray Pulver.

Or, for those who like a bit of sparkle in their Christmas stocking, you could be sliding on a beautiful ring courtesy of Ben Moss Jewellers.

Guitar, gold ring could be yours for helping Pennies

Are you with me tonight?

Tonight, Doc Walker will play this year's Pennies from Heaven theme song Beautiful Life during their concert at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre. Maybe I will see you there.

But even if you aren't there, someone out there will soon be the proud owner of a beautiful guitar signed by the guys in Doc Walker -- Chris Thorsteinson, Dave Wasyliw and Murray Pulver.

Or, for those who like a bit of sparkle in their Christmas stocking, you could be sliding on a beautiful ring courtesy of Ben Moss Jewellers.

Magic can help ease hunger

Pennies are literally beginning to flow in from all corners of the city, and beyond.

And in the days ahead volunteers helping our Free Press Pennies from Heaven campaign will begin the collection and rolling of the coins.

We've been asking you to bring in coins and folding money into our drop off locations across the city -- don't worry, we will continue to ask you until the end of this year's campaign.

You can go to any of the city's Walmart department stores. You can go to any of the RBC branches. Our giant penny is inside Portage Place. You can come to the Free Press itself. And, a new one, you can go to our Free Press News Cafe.

It’s time again, Winnipeg, to get those pennies out

Our Pennies from Heaven campaign is now firing on all cylinders to help our local hungry.

All we need now is your pennies.

The final collection bins are now in place so you now have numerous places throughout the city to drop off your coins, folding money or cheques.

If you're in the mood for shopping while donating, you can go to any of the city's Walmart stores.

Doc Walker’s help is music to our ears

Canadian country music stars Doc Walker have decided to spend a few weeks working for pennies.

This weekend at the Manitoba Art Expo, a few dozen artists who are not starving will help people who are.

And it's all because our Pennies from Heaven campaign is rolling into its 17th year of helping our local hungry during the holiday season.

REPLAY: Doc Walker helps launch Pennies From Heaven campaign

Canadian award winning band Doc Walker -- and head angel Kevin Rollason – together launched the Free Press’s annual Pennies from Heaven fundraising drive on Wednesday.

Doc Walker, winner of several Canadian Country Music Association awards and a Juno award,  volunteered to help the campaign this year and sang a couple of songs and signed autographs at the Free Press News Café. The event continues until 3 p.m.

Pennies from Heaven supports both the Christmas Cheer Board and Winnipeg Harvest during the upcoming holiday season.

Students learn joy of helping the needy

The turkey dinner is a memory and the presents are all unwrapped.

But to get an idea of the true spirit of Christmas, check out what the students and staff at Beautiful Savior Lutheran School were able to do for our local hungry.

In the run-up to Christmas, the students sacrificed the use of their gymnasium to convert it into what Winnipeg Harvest has told them is the province's third-largest food bank.

And not one student is unhappy about it.

Now is the time to show how much you care

Last Christmas, I did something I've never done in all my 63 years on this earth.

I went swimming on a scorching hot summer day in Orange, New South Wales, Australia. My cousin Lynn and her family live in Orange, which is a beautiful town about four hours' drive inland from Sydney.

I had planned this trip for more than a year, and although I wondered if I would miss my white Christmas, I soon realized that shovelling snow, scraping windshields and doing 360-degree spins, only to land on my back on the ice, were all things I could gladly live without.

Yup, Christmas Down Under had all of that winter stuff beat. I couldn't wait to see how Santa Claus and his reindeer would manage, especially in the Aussie Outback where it can be dry as a bone.