Wanda Prychitko

Every little bracelet counts

It’s hard to believe that the people of Ukraine have literally been fighting for their homes and lives for over a year in the current conflict. The news and social media reports are heartbreaking, and they continue to remind us of the damage a single person or group can inflict. But the stories also remind us of the fantastic strength of the human spirit.

The basics of Block Parenting

Are Block Parents still around?

Celebrating 100 years of song

It was a ‘moderate’ -20 C on Dec. 11, 1922, when the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir held its inaugural concert, marking the beginning of what has become a 100-year institution.

oTENTik-ing we will go!

My daughters and I have started a tradition of ladies-only camping trips during the summer. To be fair to hardcore campers, I suppose sleeping in an oTENTik would be considered glamping.

Back to normal?

Who remembers what normal used to look like?

I hope normal includes our new-found habits of hand-washing and distancing from people when you are sick — some would say those were old-school habits.

I hope our new normal reminds us to respect peoples’ feelings and differences, not only during a pandemic, but every day.

I hope people continue to support local retailers and venues. We all enjoy shopping online, but please remember the sad feeling you get when you see a local business close down.

A pot-pourri of spring observations

I write this with inflated confidence that we have seen the last snowflake for a few months, and can now enjoy the tender green shoots of spring.

I am sure that the streets have been swept of a winter’s worth of dirt and sand, and that most of the potholes have been filled with something – anything, really, but preferably sand, gravel, or asphalt, whatever is handy.

This year’s pothole season was more ridiculous than most, due to the weather which couldn’t quite make up its mind. As horrible as the roads are, I must applaud the pothole-filling crews for their efforts. For, as quickly as a hole was filled, two more appeared. Thus is the way of the pothole.

I have to say that every pothole complaint I made to 311@winnipeg.ca was addressed and filled within a few days. No matter the size of the hole — don’t assume someone else has already reported it.

The rebirth of spring

As we emerge from snowy cocoons, our thoughts turn to longer, blue-sky days, creative gardening plans and walking on dry, solid ground once again.

For me, spring brings about another birthday — the last of my 50somethings. I know it’s just a number, but those decade milestones are tough, so I’m going to make the most of my 59th year (my husband would point out that I’ve already begun my 60th year but I’m going to ignore that piece of logic for my mental well-being).

To celebrate spring and the return of once-restricted activities, I volunteered to make perogies at our church. Before you pat me on the back, let me tell you a little about my perogy making experience. About 25 years ago I used a Hunky Bill Perogy Maker, and discovered that if you don’t pinch the dough properly, you end up with a slurry of dough and potato water — not even remotely resembling anything edible.

Flash forward 25 years: I’d like to learn how to make proper perogies and check it off my bucket list. You might assume, by my last name, that I’ve been making perogies all my life. Nope – my family background is actually British and Jamaican, with a smattering of Irish, Scottish and French.

A special Remembrance Day memory

Most schools organize some type of Remembrance Day ceremony or assembly, and I have noted that students and their family members who are in Scouts, Guides or the military, are often invited to wear their uniforms to participate in this special observance.

While working at Golden Gate Middle School several years ago, the administration had also encouraged family veterans to bring photos and service items of significance to our Remembrance Day assembly.

One student’s grandfather walked into the office to get directions to the gym, and began to relay the history behind the medals he had brought. I don’t know what I expected, but I was surprised when he shared vivid details of his military battles and tragic events of his brothers-in-arms.

As tears began to well up in his eyes, I offered him a seat, thanked him for his bravery, and offered my condolences on the loss of his young comrades.

In the pilot’s seat – a water bomber pilot shares

Last month, you may recall, I wrote about visiting the water bombers as they readied their planes to fight the many forest and bush fires in Manitoba this summer.

During that visit, I had a chance to speak to Lyle Shabaga, a water bomber pilot with the government of Ontario.

I asked Lyle to tell me his story. Here’s what he had to say, in his words:

I’ve been flying for nearly 30 years, and the last 20 have been as a water bomber pilot for the government of Ontario. Prior to that I was a float plane pilot in northwestern Ontario and Saskatchewan, and did a brief stint with a small airline in northern Manitoba.

Getting up close to local water bombers

Cycling to work offered a special treat this year. For days I stared with unabashed awe at the water bomber on a nearby tarmac, until I finally mustered the courage to get a closer look.

I contacted the company that operates the fire-suppressing aircraft and was granted a tour. Giddy is not too strong a word to describe my excitement as I walked through the huge hangar and into the presence of these iconic machines.

The familiar red-and-yellow aircraft are now operated by Babcock Canada, and are housed at the main hangar in Winnipeg, as well as at remote bases in Gimli, Thompson and The Pas during the fire season. The planes are equipped to be deployed anywhere within two hours, to support neighbouring provinces and states.

Along with other rescue aircraft, Babcock maintains and operates four CL-415 water bombers, which can scoop and drop a massive 6,140 litres of water per load; three smaller CL-215 water bombers that deliver 5,455 litres; and three 690 Turbo Commanders or Bird Dog planes.

Vaccination equals celebration but – be careful

History has literally repeated itself, though we ignored it multiple times. Early in 2020, public health officials reminded us of the devastating effects of the Spanish flu 100 years ago, but some of us were convinced that we needed to relax a little. We all know what happened next.  

Hopefully our post-pandemic lifestyle will include such new habits as regular and thorough handwashing, distancing when possible and staying home when sick. These common-sense practices somehow went out of style, but must return if we are to care responsibly for our most vulnerable.

Thanks to the vaccinated majority, there’s finally a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. With restrictions gradually lifting, we can begin to comprehend what “normal” will look like again.  

Businesses are opening up. Social and religious gatherings can be held indoors. Families can once again participate in sports and activities and find some relief from the heat at community splash pads and pools.  

It’s a small world after all

Today I heard a radio personality use alternative ‘p-words’ when referring to the pandemic. Things are scary enough these days without always hearing that word. So, when I refer to this ‘picnic’, ‘party’ or ‘pickle’, you will know what I mean.

The entire planet is experiencing variations of this pickle and engaging on social media big time. You may have heard the saying that there are six degrees of separation between people all over the world but when it comes to Winnipeg and Manitoba, it’s more like one or zero degrees.  

My story begins with the birth of our eldest daughter, and the thoughtful gift of a homemade, quilted baby blanket. She loved the pastel animal design and cuddled for years with her favourite covering. It was a cherished gift and I thought that was that.

Flash forward almost 30 years, and my husband was chatting with the gentleman who, along with his late wife, had gifted the blanket. Amid their conversation about family, my husband mentioned that my father had emigrated from Kingston, Jamaica 65 years earlier, before going to school in Toronto and eventually marrying and raising a family in Winnipeg.

Lead with your heart and you won’t go wrong

The past year has shown that we can grow.  We’ve seen families bear down with the teachers to undertake the task of schooling their children at home - learning as much technology as is necessary to keep their kids engaged.  We’ve seen people reinvent their lives by becoming entrepreneurs or taking on brand new employment, some doing a complete 180 just to put food on the table.  We’ve seen people share their art in public places, even making a scavenger hunt of it.  I want to offer a bouquet to Paul Leullier for his miniature reindeer carvings in Sturgeon Park. I’ve only found a few, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed people sharing their finds on Facebook.We’ve seen people adapt their events, church services, weddings, and sadly funerals, in an effort to keep everyone safe. My heart goes out to people who just want to share their special memories with friends and family.  Bless you for thinking of others.Unfortunately, we have also seen behaviour from people who may be suffering the severe stresses of the pandemic. People who see no end. People challenged with keeping a roof over their heads and just scraping by.  People who just can’t take another restriction.We’ve seen our health care providers and support staff stretched to their limits, and still we ask them for more blood, sweat and tears. The tears they shed as another avoidable case of COVID-19 lies intubated in their care.  I do believe we can do better.Some things have blossomed throughout the pandemic: drive-throughs and curb-side pickups, social media, DIY videos, recipes, and the escapades of a pack of wild turkeys, strolling all over our little piece of heaven.I am far from perfect, but I try to live by two basic rules:  1. Treat others the way you would like to be treated;  2. Don’t be a bystander - if you see someone being wronged, step up, even if that means standing physically beside them. Do I need to mention that this goes for absolutely everyone - no matter their skin colour, race, socioeconomic situation, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.We are so much stronger together than alone. And even though restrictions are necessary, we can still use the old-fashioned telephone or take a stroll slightly apart. Take care all.  Wanda Prychitko is a community correspondent for St. James-Assiniboia. Contact wprychitko@yahoo.ca

The past year has shown that we can grow.  

We’ve seen families bear down with the teachers to undertake the task of schooling their children at home — learning as much technology as is necessary to keep their kids engaged.  We’ve seen people reinvent their lives by becoming entrepreneurs or taking on brand new employment, some doing a complete 180 just to put food on the table.  We’ve seen people share their art in public places, even making a scavenger hunt of it.  I want to offer a bouquet to Paul Leullier for his miniature reindeer carvings in Sturgeon Park. I’ve only found a few, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed people sharing their finds on Facebook.

We’ve seen people adapt their events, church services, weddings, and sadly funerals, in an effort to keep everyone safe. My heart goes out to people who just want to share their special memories with friends and family.  Bless you for thinking of others.Unfortunately, we have also seen behaviour from people who may be suffering the severe stresses of the pandemic. People who see no end. People challenged with keeping a roof over their heads and just scraping by.  People who just can’t take another restriction.

All for the love of Lego: Part 2

As enamoured as readers may have been with last month’s Lego story, you may have wondered why it ended without my usual ‘feel good finale.’

Here’s the simple explanation. Sometimes I get a little wordy and extend beyond the size of the print space allowed. That’s a no-no in the newspaper biz, which is why you were left dangling sans ending.  I would like to take a moment to complete this community hero story.

As you may recall, I interviewed Scott Templeton, member of a local group of Lego enthusiasts called the Manitoba Lego Users Group or MBLUG. Scott reported that their members continue to thrive despite the restrictions on group activities.

“We participated in some virtual shows such as Ai-Kon and Lego Brick Fair. We have been meeting regularly over Zoom and doing building challenges. Otherwise, we all communicate regularly on Discord, sharing builds, links, sales, and other Lego topics.”

Channel your inner child with Lego

What is your earliest memory of Lego? 

When I was a kid we had some basic red bricks, but I went on to appreciate the evolution of these colourful building blocks as an assistant builder during my son’s Star Wars Lego phase.

The history of Lego began in 1932 when Danish toy maker Ole Kirk Christiansen, named his toy company by combining the Danish words LEg GOdt which means play well. His grandson still runs the company today. Coincidently, Lego in Latin means “I put together.”

Canadians have been enjoying Lego since 1962, and today’s themes, colours and shapes offer an outlet of unlimited imagination to young and old alike. One such group of enthusiasts is the Manitoba Lego Users Group of MBLUG.

Answering the call for blood donations

Canadian Blood Services is putting the call out for blood donors, new and old.  

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for blood donations is always there.

Donating blood products requires little effort, doesn’t cost anything and means improved life for someone else. I don’t know if I will ever be able to replace the litres received by my family during surgeries and hospital stays over the years, but I’m certainly going to try.

I highly recommend donating. During the pandemic only donors with appointments are welcome at the Winnipeg Centre offices at 777 William Ave. (part of the Health Sciences Centre campus) but the online booking process is smooth and I was in and out of my appointment in 40 minutes. During November, when you donate and share your experience on social media, you will be entered into adraw for a $50 gift card.

Celebrating a holy alliance

Congratulations to the Church of St. Stephen and St. Bede (99 Turner Ave.) as it celebrates its 50-year partnership of worship in the Silver Heights community.

For those who aren’t aware, St. Stephen’s is a Lutheran congregation, while St. Bede’s is Anglican, and they have successfully shared their place of worship for the past half-century.

St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church relocated to Ness Avenue in 1960 (currently home to the Silver Heights Seventh Day Adventist Church). St. Bede’s Anglican Church first opened its doors in 1964 at the corner of Turner Avenue and Mount Royal Road. Little did they know at the time that they would become more than just neighbours.

In 1970, the parish of St. Stephen’s made a difficult decision but one necessary to the survival of its congregation. They left the place they had called home for 10 years with heavy hearts and were welcomed by the neighbouring parish of St. Bede’s with open arms. A mere 500 metres down the road was their new home of worship.

We’ve all learned a little something…

Ken Buck, a South Carolina school board trustee, wrote a Facebook post that summed up COVID-19 teaching nicely:

“We gave educators almost no notice. We asked them to completely redesign what school looks like, and in about 24 hours local administrators and teachers ‘Apollo 13’ed’ the problem and fixed it. Kids learning, being fed, needs being met in the midst of a global crisis. No state agency did this, no so-called national experts on curriculum. The local educators fixed it in hours. HOURS.”

There have been many examples of teachers, educational assistants and administrators who have gone that extra mile to stay connected with their students and families.

We enjoyed parades, yard signs, Zoom meetings, musical performances, storybook video reads, SeeSaw, and parking lot graduation ceremonies.

Actions speak louder than words

It warms my heart to see us supporting each other during these days of health scare and social distancing.

It’s easy to think quietly to ourselves that we appreciate our neighbours and the important services they provide but at a time like this our thoughts must become loud voices and actions. People are showing love to our essential service providers in many ways.

Among the sea of volunteers and essential service providers, I want to highlight one individual in St. James who supports those around her with her positive attitude.

Krystal works at Foodfare, and recently celebrated a milestone birthday. You may even have signed the large birthday card, displayed outside the store by her friend, Lisa.