West End’s artistic geode building

At first sight, 618 Arlington St. appears to be a tan brick building that looks somewhat out of place amongst the residential houses in the area. But on the inside, a collage of artistry and craft is scattered throughout the rooms of this charming old building.

The building is home to 618 ARTlington Studios — a collection of studios available for rent, with more than 30 artists using the space.

Above the front door is a stained-glass circle made by Wesley Krahn.

“I feel like a left a mark, to put it humbly,” Krahn laughed. “I love the building and the vibe, but it’s the people I stayed for.”

Trail-blazing Canadian Trail Summit

The Trans Canada stretches across Canada and, in the middle of the country, groups of trail advocates are prepping for a national-level conversation to be held here this month.

Trans Canada Trail, an umbrella organization for the nationwide network of regional and provincial trail associations, is bringing the first-ever Canadian Trail Summit to Winnipeg from June 16 to 19 at the Delta Hotel.

The summit will feature keynote speakers, panels and other events meant to educate and entertain summit delegates from across Canada..

“We’re over the moon (the conference) is here,” said Tim Coffin, executive director of Trails Manitoba since 2019. “Manitoba has so much to offer in a world-class way. It makes sense to host it in the heart,” Coffin said.

Sage Creek and Area Lions Club has a busy first year

As the summer moves along, one local Lions club is preparing to take a break on June 30 after its first season in operation.

The Sage Creek and Area Lions Club celebrated earning charter status last November, having initially ran as a branch of the Riverside Lions in St. Vital while working to get to the 20-member mark that enabled it to earn a club charter.

And since late last year, club members have been busy with numerous activities in southeast Winnipeg — many of which are community-focused and of a fundraising nature.

“It’s been a pretty good year,” said club member Gérald Fontaine, who lives in St. Pierre-Jolys, Man. “It’s been a busy time for some of our members.”

Local band releases animated film

Take a cruise through a wacky, fun film filled with dad jokes, secret police, and a sentient spoon, while riding with the band in a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire.

With music from Winnipeg band, It’s All in the Mind, No Rock Unturned is a new animated film that follows the band’s missing drummer — which is a hot commodity in the local music scene — through a magical portal out of Winnipeg to a fictional fantasy world.

“It’s meant to be fun,” said Mark David Stallard, animator, editor, and director of the film, as well as lead vocals and guitarist for It’s All in the Mind. “Maybe promote conversation.”

The band features Stallard (lead vocals and guitar), Ryan Janz (bass), Jared Adams (lead guitar and vocals), and Brennan Saul (drums).

Local boxer gaining international experience

Isaiah Rock came home from his first two international bouts with valuable lessons he knows will make him a better boxer in the future.

In February, Rock, 23, represented Team Canada at BoxAm in La Nucía, Alicante, Spain, a tournament featuring boxers with Olympic experience. Matched against the seasoned Kazakh fighter Nurzat Ongarov, a former BoxAm medalist, Rock lost a decision, but learned plenty.

“I didn’t know who I was going to fight, but I pictured it in my head,” the West End resident said. “I imagined it would be super uncomfortable and incredibly fast-paced. I overdid it a bit, but generally handled it well.

“At that level, the smallest things really matter,” he added. “The experience plays a role on the international level. I learned that my skills work there, that I can handle the moment. Even when I was about to fight, I felt nothing. It was just a job I had to do.”

Choir camp for adults an uplifting experience

Singing is not only good for the soul, it’s good for overall health, too.

In her 2024 article, “9 Reasons Why Singing With Others Makes Us Healthier and Happier,” Dr. Arla Good, co-director and chief researcher of an international research project, shares an extensive list of why singing might be helpful to our health.

Among the benefits Good includes, she states that singing improves mood, reduces stress, promotes psychological well-being, stimulates the brain, reduces loneliness, and fosters a healthy body.

In Winnipeg, there’s a summer singing camp for adults that strives to help participants experience all of that.

WSD graduation powwow a success

On June 3, the Winnipeg School Division held its graduation powwow at Canada Life Centre.

Approximately 2,000 graduating students from across the division took part, as well as staff, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and dignitaries.

Can we ever go home again?

How many of us can go home again after leaving for decades?

Leaving the place of your birth to make a new life in a different country — for political, economic or social reasons — creates a chasm that’s difficult to bridge. Many immigrants and refugees speak of the “no-man’s land” that immigration creates for them. But what if the place of your birth does not feel like home?

Ndubuisi Okwumabua, popularly known as NDU, was born and raised in Treaty One Territory, also known as Winnipeg, a place that he’s stated, “is special in his heart.”

NDU’s Nigerian family moved to Winnipeg to escape the Biafra war, to find peace and to rebuild their lives in a new land.

New spray pad in the works for Fort Richmond

On May 30, ground was broken for a new spray pad in Fort Richmond.

The Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba, and City of Winnipeg contributed funding to the new 5,700-square-foot accessible spray pad and other park features at the South Winnipeg Community Centre’s Fort Richmond site, which is located at 666 Silverstone Ave. The $1.5 million project includes pathways, seating areas (including benches and picnic tables), shade structures, bike racks, and new trees. The spray pad is expected to be ready for the 2027 season.

Pictured, from left: Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert–Seine River; Jennifer Chen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort Richmond; Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South; Mayor Scott Gillingham; Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas), chairperson of the standing policy committee on community services; Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West); and Arthur Pearson, executive director of South Winnipeg Community Centre.

Elmwood HS Legacy Fund continues to grow

Elmwood High School Legacy Fund recently reached a milestone of raising over $500,000 for bursaries and scholarships for the students of Elmwood High School.

The Fund, which is managed by the Winnipeg Foundation, was established in 2008 with residual funds from the 50th anniversary celebrations. In 2009, when the Fund first awarded bursaries and scholarships, $2,100 was awarded. This year, $21,000 will be awarded.

The Fund continues to grow with donations and by way of an annual golf tournament fundraiser, which this year will be held at Lorette Golf Course on Tuesday, July 7. For more information, visit ehslegacyfund.ca

Pictured: Former teacher at Elmwood High School and current Elmwood High School Legacy Fund board member Dorothy Webster stands next to a plaque commemorating contributions to the fund with chairperson Maureen Robertson looking on.

Saving an outdoor St. James museum

Assiniboine Park officially opened early in the 20th century. Most of the park is south of the Assiniboine River. On May 21, 1932, a footbridge opened creating a permanent link between Portage Avenue, the St. James part of the park, and most of the park south of the Assiniboine River.

Directly across from Joe Black’s Coffee, there is a park bench in memory of Grant W. Laycock (1937-2012), an insurance company executive with the Simcoe Erie Insurance Company. The bench’s inscription reads: “Grant lived on Overdale and had happy times here. ‘Enjoy the Park’.”

The park benches on the St. James side of Assiniboine Park pay tribute to people with a St. James connection from various walks of life. Sam and Marj Chambers were also from Overdale Street. Sam was the president of the Deer Lodge Community Club, while Marj was a long time member of the St. James Art Club who specialized in hand sculpted crocuses.

George and Connie Waters played a vital role in establishing the Laureate Academy for special needs students. George Waters Middle School is named after George, who was a school trustee and a lifetime member of the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce, which is currently located right across the street from this part of Assiniboine Park.