The write community

Crescentwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/12/2024 (279 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s all about community and the stories of those in our neighbourhoods. I’ve had the privilege of meeting the most amazing people, starting 10 years ago, when I began writing for Community News Commons at the Winnipeg Foundation and five years ago with the Winnipeg Free Press, then the Sou’wester and now the West edition of the Free Press Community Review.

I’m grateful to each interviewee who generously shared their time to get the word out about their initiatives that make this an even better place to live.

Looking back, one of my first stories for the Free Press involved following Bear Clan Patrol on a Christmas morning as they handed out care packages and good cheer. That research involved crouching down to meet two homeless people living under the crawl space of a house on Sherbrook Street. Some stories stay with you forever.

A retrospective look back has allowed me to revisit adventures involving roller derbies, cell towers in residential areas, ostomies, puzzle aficionados, human trafficking, the joy of choirs, food insecurity, the lure of books at Whodunit Mystery Book Store and pure decadence at Honey Bunny Bakery.

All I had to do was step out my front door to interview folks who live on my street and appreciate a professor researching violence against women, the longest-running marathon participant, a women’s health advocate and an opera/tribute band singer. A favourite was writing about treasures left behind in books donated to the Children’s Hospital Book Market. From home concerts to little free libraries to (dis)ability award winners at the Unitarian Church, to riverbank clean ups, Crescentwood is truly the heart of the city in more ways than one.

The coming year promises to be newsworthy. In 2025, it’s 40 years for Back to the Future, 90 years of Monopoly, 70 years of Play-Doh, and 75 years of Peanuts. It is also 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War and the 50th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 5.

One can hope we learn from the past as we venture into a brave new world. Journalism will be the cornerstone of reconciliation, and I am committed to you dear readers to write from a place of empowerment and hope. We are living in unprecedented times and community news needs your witness accounts and the world needs your stories. In thinking about Mr. Rogers’ legacy of “people in my neighbourhood,” it is that everyone is welcome and valued. He showed us the power of kindness.

Welcome to Crescentwood.

Happy New Year!