Hind, Keating, and Lodge

St. James

Henry Yule Hind and William Keating were both explorers and geologists. This story deals with the recent history of Hind, Keating, and part of Lodge. These residents were listed for the first time in the 1952 Henderson Directory. As a city council candidate, I will never forget a spur of the moment Lodge Avenue popcorn party with Sugar Jim Henry, Tom Finnbogason Sr., and Harold Brooks. Jim showed us his framed 1952 famous picture of him shaking hands with Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard after an NHL playoff series.

Young people have been a part of these streets. In February 1955, Diane Orum, and Nancy Ablett were pictured in the Winnipeg Free Press sliding down a snow drift. In 1970, Lorna Kyle was Miss Teen Age Manitoba. Lorna served as the Honorary Parade Marshall for the Teen and Tot Parade.

Many Sport Hall of Famers have lived in this part of Silver Heights. Jim Henry won a Turnbull and two Allan Cups. Sugar Jim won one Charlie Gardiner Cup as the best USHL goalie. He is a member of the Manitoba Hockey and Sports halls of fame. While living on Keating, Gerry James played for both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs. Gerry won a Memorial Cup, four Grey Cups, and is in the Manitoba Sports, Manitoba Hockey, and the Canadian Football halls of fame. In 2016, Gerry’s name went up on the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Ring of Honour at IG Field. Maurice Smith, the longtime Winnipeg Free Press sports editor was instrumental in creating the National School Boys Curling Championship. Maurice is in both the CFL and Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. George and Joy Kent were the original residents of Keating Avenue. George produced CFL coverage for the CBC. George invented the telestrator, a device that allows one to draw a freehand sketch over a moving or still video image during broadcast. George is in the CFL Hall of Fame.

Magnus Vopni, an original Hind Avenue resident, was the superintendent of the Winnipeg Tribune composing room. Stewart Millet was the president of the Red River Ex, the 1965 chair of the Easter Seals campaign, and, in 1972, the president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Manitoba. Murray Stalker served as a St. James motor cycle police officer, and later operated a service station. Robert Asgeirson grew up on Lodge. Robert became a cinematographer working for Global TV, CJAY, and the CBC. Robert served as the curator of BC’s Icelandic Archives. Neil McCaughey had a 43-year career as a Winnipeg Optometrist. Murray Peterson has worked as Winnipeg’s Heritage Officer.

Roger Cathcart Sr. was a principal for several schools in the St. James Brooklands area. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he served as the Manitoba president of the PC Party. In the 1990 provincial election, Roger lost a very hotly contested PC Sturgeon Creek nomination meeting. Another school principal, Peter Carney, eventually became a St. James-Assiniboia School Division trustee. In the 2007 provincial election, Sharon Blady became the first NDP candidate to win Kirkfield Park. Sharon served two terms as MLA, including a couple of years as Health Minister.

There have been plenty of ties to the Gimli Icelandic Festival. In 1964, Sigrid Asgeirsson and Ardath Finnbogason were the Princesses. In 1969, Lill Asgeirson was the Fjallkona ( Maid of the Mountain).