Tanya Misseghers

Manitoba Animal Alliance provides essential care

Beverly Mulder has re-discovered a passion for helping dogs and cats in need.

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Tannis Ehinger’s Alzheimer’s story is one of remembrance, love and an enduring dedication to raising awareness and helping others deal with the impacts of the disease.

Love of her heritage funds studies

Alexandra Finnbogason, an 18-year-old Royalwood resident and first-year student at the University of Manitoba, was one of this year’s recipients of the Mark & Dorothy Danzker scholarship offered by Folkorama and the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

Save Our Seine ‘forest protectors’ honoured

On Oct. 16, Jules Legal and Marcel Ritchot were recognized as “forest protectors” of the Bois-des-Esprits. They are long-serving volunteers with Save Our Seine and held the respective positions of president and vice-president from 2000 to 2003.

Pandemic sparks gift of inspiration

Royalwood resident Karla Ottenbreit is feeling boxed in these days. And that suits her just fine.

Cycling for a fantastic cause

Retiring to Royalwood with her husband has surpassed all of Carrie Wai’s expectations. In addition to being closer to family, she has found health, a caring community and a way to give back.

For a second year, Wai is a member of the Blue Sky Fitness Studio Team taking part in the Riverview Health Centre Foundation’s 24th Annual Cycle on Life, Sunday, Sept. 11.

“I joined Blue Sky in 2018 after moving to Winnipeg from Swan River. I needed low-impact exercises after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hip and was waiting for joint-replacement surgery. I was looking for a warm and welcoming place close to home,” explained Wai.

Running had always been Wai’s top fitness choice, but her arthritis made it painful. With guidance from St. Vital’s Blue Sky owner, Kathryn Dzikowicz, Wai turned to biking on her own and weight training in small classes to keep strength and range of motion in her hips.

Sweet success for Royalwood dentist

Royalwood resident Dr. Kady Cissé is helping her patients take a bite out of anxiety while attending to their dental health.

Dr. Cissé opened Lumi Dental on March 1 at Seasons of Tuxedo, 1-655 Sterling Lyon Pkwy. with co-founder Dr. Christine Kveder. Lumi is Dr. Cissé’s second clinic.

She said her childhood experiences and family led her to practice dentistry.

“I am proud to be a first-generation Canadian,” she said. “My parents immigrated from Africa. I grew up in a very strict household and I had a sweet tooth. As a girl, I had fillings in all my back teeth. My dentist was amazing.”

A ‘blasto’ warning for dog owners

Like many Royalwood residents with canine companions, Tanya and Patrick De Warle enjoy walking their 14-year-old, shih tzu-mix rescue dog, Stella, on the Bois-des-Esprits main and side trails, exploring the riverbank. Between Christmas and New Year’s, Stella began having trouble breathing. She was examined by her veterinarian, who prescribed antibiotics for a suspected case of gingivitis. Five days later, Stella was in worse shape.“Stella has always been an active, sturdy dog,” Tanya said. “But she started wheezing and sounded like she was choking.”An X-ray revealed a lung infection and further tests determined a diagnosis of blastomycosis, or “blasto,” an infection caused by the fungus blastomyces dermatitidis, which  is found in soil.  “Blastomycosis can infect many animal species,” said Dr. Ron Worb, veterinarian and chief of staff at Anderson Animal Hospital and Wellness Center in St. Boniface. “Nearly all the cases I have seen in dogs have been from the Lake of the Woods, Whiteshell and Seine River regions. Fungal growth is supported by wet, sandy, acidic soils rich in organic matter.” Infection occurs when a dog inhales the fungal spores into the lungs. Blastomycosis has a long incubation period of five to 12 weeks, meaning that Stella likely acquired the infection in the autumn but did not display symptoms.According to Dr. Worb, dogs are 10 times more likely to contract the disease than humans and it likes to attack the respiratory tract. Lung disease is the most common sign, but not the only one. “Blastomycosis can be the ‘great pretender’ because so many organs can be infected and it can mimic more common conditions,” Dr. Worb said. “Typically, young large-breed dogs have the highest risk but any dog can be infected.” Signs and symptoms can include fever, lethargy, weight loss, inability to walk, skin lesions, seizures and eye problems.The impact can be serious. In Stella’s case, she has lost 20 per cent of her once-27-pound body weight and muscle mass. She needs eight pills per day to treat her infection and monthly veterinarian checks while she recovers.  “Stella spends a lot of time sleeping,” Tanya said. “We have warm, comfortable spots for her to curl up and she’s getting extra love and visits from my parents.” “We just want everyone to be aware that blasto is out there,” Patrick said. “Stick to the main trails, keep your dog on-leash, and if something’s not right, get it checked out. This infection can progress quickly.”Tanya Misseghers is a community correspondent for Royalwood.

Like many Royalwood residents with canine companions, Tanya and Patrick De Warle enjoy walking their 14-year-old, shih tzu-mix rescue dog, Stella, on the Bois-des-Esprits main and side trails, exploring the riverbank. 

Between Christmas and New Year’s, Stella began having trouble breathing. She was examined by her veterinarian, who prescribed antibiotics for a suspected case of gingivitis. 

Five days later, Stella was in worse shape.

Giving back adds to Dakota experience

It’s often said that it is better to give than to receive. Mackenzie Dudeck, a new 14-year-old student at Dakota Collegiate and Royalwood resident had such an experience leading up to the holiday season.

Dudeck took part in Dakota Collegiate’s HamperTime, a program that has been running since 2005 to assist Dakota Collegiate families.

She contributed to filling 38 hampers full of food and presents and collecting more than $8,500. More than 4,000 non-perishable food items were donated, and funds were used to purchase gifts for 56 children aged 12 and under, plus 70 teenagers.

“I knew what hampers were but I have never participated in a fundraiser this large before. It made me feel good about helping out other families in need,” Dudeck said.

What a difference a year made in Royalwood

We began 2021 in code-red pandemic conditions, but that didn’t stop area resident Tony Braccio from launching Italian eatery Pasta di Casa.

By the time we reached late August, Blush Massage + Beauty was able to open its doors on St. Anne’s Road, across the street from Southglen Shopping Centre.

Along the way, we met Denise Turanli and Mike Boychuk of Royal Wicker, who design and create their own line of outdoor furniture. Most recently, lawyer Ifeyinwa Echezona described her journey of arriving from Nigeria to living in her Royalwood dream home and opening her own practice.

Stories of young people in our neighbourhood following their passions and contributing to our community came to the forefront.

Local lawyer loves her job, neighbourhood

It’s hard to tell if Ifeyinwa Echezona is more passionate about living in Royalwood or being a lawyer.

Born in Nigeria, Echezona arrived in Winnipeg in 2017 as an experienced, foreign-trained lawyer. She had to complete the necessary steps to become licensed to practice law in Manitoba.

Echezona challenged the law exams and was successful. But when it came time to do her articling, the only position she could find was unpaid. Through SEED Winnipeg’s Recognition Counts program, Echezona obtained a specialized loan from Assiniboine Credit Union to help cover the cost of the bar exam and other licensure requirements and also received a grant from the province of Manitoba.

Iphie Law was founded in 2019, operating from Echezona’s apartment in St. Vital. She longed to move to Royalwood and achieved that objective in 2020.

Lego builder earns global recognition

A Royalwood teen earned global recognition in August for his ingenuity with Lego.

Javon Havelka, 15, placed ninth in a field of more than 1,000 entrants in a competition hosted and run by well-known Lego builder and YouTube star, TD Bricks.

The contest was open to anyone under the age of 18 and drew Havelka’s interest for its creative freedom.

“I’d never entered a contest before but his one appealed to me because I could build whatever I wanted, I wasn’t tied down,” Havelka explained.

Get rosy-cheeked at Blush Massage + Beauty

According to Blush Massage + Beauty Bar’s website, “Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start to believe in yourself, the magic will start to happen.”

Since opening on Aug. 30 at 703 St. Anne’s Rd., across the street from Southglen Shopping Centre, the magic has been flowing at Blush.

“Our Royalwood clients are so excited that we are close by,” said Blush founder Kelly Gosselin, a resident of Bonavista and married mother of two.

Massages and facials have been Blush’s most popular services. Blush also offers lash and brow services, body hair removal via sugaring or waxing, teeth whitening, and local beauty products.

Seven-year-old helps Save Our Seine

On Aug. 7, seven-year-old Max M. of Royalwood raised $743 in support of Save Our Seine through his lemonade stand plus donations from neighbours, family and friends.

“I go biking every other day through the Bois-des-Ésprits,” said Max. “It is a beautiful place. I wanted to do something to thank SOS for protecting it.”

Aside from a new frame cut by his mother, Max constructed his lemonade stand on his own using recycled materials, in keeping with SOS’ mandate to preserve the Seine River environment.

The panels, roof, counter and counter tile came from leftover materials from Max’s home, from family members and from a nearby construction site, where he obtained permission from neighbours to hunt through scraps.

Tupperware for a Cause takes off

Shannon Derkatch is a Tupperware lady who’s on a mission with her five-year-old son.

The River Park South resident and former ER nurse began selling Tupperware in May 2021. Her enterprise has quickly turned into a great deal more.

“I started selling Tupperware because I was already buying so much for our family and wanted to save money” said Derkatch.

It wasn’t until her son learned about Community Helpers in kindergarten that Derkatch’s past and present came together.

How keeping active becomes green action

Last month, Lance readers learned about the Green Action Centre’s ‘pandemic pivot’ for its 30th annual commuter challenge, which ran from May 30 to June 5. This year, participants could log all trips made using active or sustainable transportation.

Omena Babalola had always been interested in the event, but between work and training as an athlete, she did not have the time to take part.

As soon as the Island Lakes resident found out about the change in format, her reaction was, “Now you’re speaking my language, sign me up.”

COVID-19 restrictions have had Babalola working from home and doing more walking than ever, and she completed 43.09 kilometres as part of the commuter challenge.

The dog days of summer

The dog days of summer are already here for Royalwood resident Ben Lehman, who is looking to pound the pavement with neighbourhood pooches to earn money and gain work experience.

Lehman, who turns 14 in July, has been walking his own dogs, Ellie and Rosie for several years.

“Both dogs like to pull,” Lehman said, “but I’ve figured that by jogging with them to start it burns off energy so they settle down for the rest of the walk.”

Saving up for a car is Lehman’s goal so that he has more freedom once he obtains his driver’s license. He is also looking for a productive way to stay active under public health orders.

Royalwood takes the One Million Tree Challenge

Royalwood is a wonderfully green place and it’s about to get a lot greener.

Glen Cottick, a resident of the area for nearly 20 years, is organizing a community tree planting on Saturday, June 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Fountainview Park, 70 Shorehill Dr.

“I keep thinking about the future,” Cottick said. “Between Dutch elm disease, the emerald ash borer and black knot fungus, our tree canopy is under extreme pressure. What will be left for generations to come and how can we get in front of this issue?”

Cottick reached out to the City of Winnipeg’s naturalist services brand to “plant the seeds” for the event.

Custom wicker furniture, made for our climate

Four years after moving to Royalwood in 2012, Mike Boychuk and Denise Turanli faced a dilemma. The couple loves entertaining family and friends in the fresh air, and was looking to invest in outdoor furniture, but options were limited.

“We were shocked,” Boychuk said. “Did we really have to spend $8,000 to $10,000 for quality outdoor furniture?”

Combining their backgrounds in business and sales with their entrepreneurial spirits and a desire to find a solution, Boychuk and Turanli did their research and then designed and created a modular outdoor set that met all their specifications - at a fraction of the price.

Royal Wicker was born.

Girl Guides do good for others

Cassie Dauphinais and her Girl Guide unit celebrated I Love to Read Month this February by collecting more than 767 books for children and teens in Winnipeg’s North End.

The 11-year-old Royalwood resident is working towards earning her Take Action badge. “In three years of being a Girl Guide, this will be my 19th badge. It will be the one I am most proud of,” Cassie said.

“I enjoy reading and want other young people to have access to books. My favourite is Lost in the Barrens by Farley Mowat, that we have been studying in school.”

According to her mom and unit leader Rachelle Dauphinais, Cassie is passionate about service projects.

Royalwood’s new skating rink is a hit

Royalwood has a n-‘ice’ addition to our pandemic recreation options.

As reported two weeks ago, Royalwood (Shelly Glover) Park has been transformed into a winter wonderland skating rink. All thanks to area residents Dave and Jody McMullin reaching out to ward councillor Brian Mayes.

“I was concerned that if we went to code red and the community clubs could not offer outdoor skating that people would have nowhere to exercise outdoors or skate this winter,” Dave McMullin said.

“I noticed how many people were using the Bois-des-Ésprits trails in the summer and fall and knew that people would be looking for somewhere to be active in the winter.”

Open in the middle of a pandemic? Why not?

Talk about your pandemic pivot.

Royalwood resident Tony Braccio has gone from music man as co-owner of Crystal Sound to adding pasta prince to his resume as co-owner of new Italian eatery Pasta di Casa. The restaurant opened on Dec. 21, 2020, realizing a life-long dream for Braccio and his family.

“I have treasured memories of growing up with scratch-made Italian food,” Braccio says. At age 15, he worked at The White House and developed a passion for cooking.

“After university, I started Crystal Sound. For years, having a restaurant was pushed to the back of my mind. Then COVID-19 happened. No more demand for DJs.”

Looking back at the stories of 2020

Normally, my December piece is my favourite column of the year because I have the chance to relive my memories of meeting area residents in-person.

I recall the setting for our interview, a smile, a look, and shaking hands or hugging someone after they’ve shared their story with me.

In 2020, I did two face-to-face interviews. It feels like they were years ago.

The pandemic has stolen so much of our human experience. Nonetheless, I am grateful to have been able to connect over the phone and via email with a number of special people and families who have told their stories with such detail and emotion that I almost felt as though I were sitting right beside them.

Bois-des-Esprits has a new protector

The Bois-des-Esprits in Royalwood has a new friend in 11-year-old Luka Gray.

In October, Save Our Seine shared Luka’s story on Facebook after he spent more than an hour picking up trash near the pedestrian bridge at John Bruce Road in order to help wildlife stay healthy and flourish.

“My mom and I were on a bike ride and I saw some turtles from the bridge. I went under the bridge to get a closer look, then I saw a ton of garbage and knew I had to do something,” he said.

Luka was inspired by his grandfather, a conservation volunteer in Alberta, who tracks collared bears. Luka said his favourite part of the Bois-des-Esprits is the wildlife.