Plenty of community activity to keep us warm

There’s been plenty to get excited about this February thanks to the creative enterprise of area community groups. 

Winnipeg’s annual Real to Reel Film Festival, usually hosted live at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church at 1315 Gateway Rd., is running online this year until Feb. 28, spotlighting an impressive 50 films curated over the past year from submissions by independent film-makers from around the world. 

Featuring a mix of full length, short, family, and documentary movies, the festival aims to provide "cool, clean, compelling, uplifting films" says Paul Boge, the festival’s co-ordinator. 

For example, Breathtaking follows the adventure of mountain guides attempting to summit K-2 while Against the Tide discusses the intersection of science and Christian faith. This year’s Real to Reel Festival also includes pre-recorded conversations with the film-makers regarding the inspiration and production of each film. Passes for the online festival are $10 at winnipegfilmfestival.com.

If movies aren’t your thing, Gateway Recreation Centre is not letting cold nor COVID-19 compromise its commitment to community programs. 

The centre’s outdoor rinks are open and anyone can choose from a selection of free online exercise classes through Gateway’s Fit at Home initiative, funded by the Province of Manitoba.  Classes include Zumba with Genny on Mondays at 6 p.m.; boxing with Overtime Fitness on Wednesdays at 6; and high-intensity interval training on Thursdays at 6 p.m., also with Overtime Fitness. 

Rec-centre regulars will also be gearing up for the Great North Kildonan Scavenger Hunt with gift certificate prizes for winners from local restaurants and businesses, making this a fun and family-friendly event. 

Tammy Harper, president of Gateway Rec  Centre, explains, "our hope for both programs is to get people up and moving in order to alleviate some of the mental health issues surrounding staying at home so much." 

See www.gatewayrec.com for program details, duration and other information.

The bighearted efforts of those willing to make our neighbourhood a community are helping to brighten and warm the area. Let my office know if your organization has something to offer the wider area.

 Thanks to all these groups for helping us get through these months together.

My office can be reached at andrew@andrewmicklefield.com or by calling 204-289-4545. It is located at unit 3-935 McLeod Ave., at McLeod and London.