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Austin Street in Bloom |
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by Linda Williams, Safety Coordinator, North Point Douglas Women’s Centre Austin Street had its share of tragedies over the past six months! Seven people died senselessly, largely as a result of addictions and unhealthy living. All of these people were quite young with many years of living left. Contributing to this situation are the many cars from other parts of the city that were noted by the police from St. Vital, Transcona, and other parts of the city, purchasing drugs on Austin.
Chilling out at the Austin Street Festival The Safety and Youth Outreach program of the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre is helping to reclaim the street by working towards creating a healthy, stable and safe environment on Austin Street and in North Point Douglas for families and youth. To this end, the Austin Street Festival ‘Spirit in the Sky’ was developed last year to help build community and police relationships, with residents and agencies in the area. The 2nd annual Austin Street Festival, ‘Spirit in the Sky’ was held on August 17, 2011 from 4 – 10 p.m. Hundreds of residents attended this year’s festival, which included the unveiling of a vibrant community mural by Graffiti Art Programming, on the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre. Graffiti Art Programming Hip Hop Dance Troupe opened the Festival to celebrate the mural which depicts transformation and healthy living. The mural and a new Community Garden on Austin Street are direct community building efforts to galvanize residents to take pride and ownership of their street. Many thanks to Graffiti Art Programming for helping us build a strong community. Contributors to the Festival include the Winnipeg Police Service, City Councilor Ross Eadie, Assiniboine Credit Union, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Public Housing – Security, North End Revitalization Inc. and volunteers from United Way Day of Caring. Many businesses and agencies also contributed to prizes for residents. DJs and local musicians, including Billy Joe Green, entertained the crowd. And a big thank you to John Vernaus from King John Boxing for volunteering his time as MC for the event. Our Crime Reduction Plan Committee organized this Festival and three local residents, along with agency workers, worked very hard bringing the event together – Donna Rusnak, Flo Desjarlais and Chris D’Souza. In addition to the Austin Street Festival, a ‘get to know’ your neighbourhood group is developing – Point Douglas Dream Catchers: Walking for a Strong Community. Residents and others are welcome to join our Walking Group. We are part of In Motion Manitoba and participants are encouraged to wear walking pedometers that we provide, to get Sky’ was held on August 17, 2011 from 4 – 10 p.m.
Check out the new mural at the Women's Centre Hundreds of residents attended this year’s festival, which included the unveiling of a vibrant community mural by Graffiti Art Programming, on the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre. Graffiti Art Programming Hip Hop Dance Troupe opened the Festival to celebrate the mural which depicts transformation and healthy living. The mural and a new Community Garden on Austin Street are direct community building efforts to galvanize residents to take pride and ownership of their street. Many thanks to Graffiti Art Programming for helping us build a strong community. Contributors to the Festival include the Winnipeg Police Service, City Councilor Ross Eadie, Assiniboine Credit Union, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Public Housing – Security, North End Revitalization Inc. and volunteers from United Way Day of Caring. Many businesses and agencies also contributed to prizes for residents. DJs and local musicians, including Billy Joe Green, entertained the crowd. And a big thank you to John Vernaus from King John Boxing for volunteering his time as MC for the event.
Relax in the Austin Street Community Garden Our Crime Reduction Plan Committee organized this Festival and three local residents, along with agency workers, worked very hard bringing the event together – Donna Rusnak, Flo Desjarlais and Chris D’Souza. In addition to the Austin Street Festival, a ‘get to know’ your neighbourhood group is developing – Point Douglas Dream Catchers: Walking for a Strong Community. Residents and others are welcome to join our Walking Group. We are part of In Motion Manitoba and participants are encouraged to wear walking pedometers that we provide, to get fit while getting to know the neighbourhood. It is important to know your street, who is moving in, and how to maintain a strong community for you and your children. This is your community too! Every Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Safety Talk and Walk is held at the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre. We also want to walk on Thursday evenings – call first. Please join us! Everybody is welcome to join our community building efforts through joining the Dream Catchers, Walking School Bus, Youth Outreach, Austin Street Festival Planning, workshops and other programs. Contact us at 947-0321.
by Joan Dentry, Issue Editor This summer has borne witness to both sad endings and new beginnings in Point Douglas. The Austin Street fire has left a legacy of grief, anger, sadness and bewilderment in the community. The residents of Point Douglas pulled together to support and mourn with family, neighbours and friends during this difficult time. The Austin Street Festival brought the community together again; this time to celebrate the improvements in the neighbourhood such as the Austin Street Community Garden, the new mural at the Women’s Centre and the work by the Green Team. The festival was an opportunity for residents to get together and enjoy great music, good food, face-painting and friendship. The summer has also seen many new accomplishments in Point Douglas. The Eagle Wing Centre and Barber House are up and running after their grand openings. The Austin Street Festival was a great success. The Green Team spruced up the neighbourhood and the community gardens thrived under green thumbs. Councillor Ross Eadie spearheaded the beautification of Main Street’s neglected flower planters. It is with sadness that we bid goodbye to two long-standing members of the community. George Hickes, the M.L.A. for Point Douglas is retiring after 21 years of service. He has served the community tirelessly over the years, and his efforts are well-appreciated. Thank you for your years of service, George, and rest easy in your retirement and future ventures. Heather Geddie has also left the community this summer. She has been at the heart of many of the improvement projects for Point Douglas, and will be sorely missed. Our best wishes go with you, Heather, as you pursue new vistas. Manitoba is gearing up for an election this fall. My husband and I have lived in post-communist countries, where voting freely for the candidate of choice is not possible. Voting is the right, privilege and responsibility of each person living in a free society. Please use your right to vote, and be a part of the solution to the problems Manitoba faces. ♦
by Dianne Parisian and Larry Monkman Hi. My name is Dianne Parisian. I once lived and was caretaker at 288 Austin Street, where a tragic fire took five people’s lives this summer. I knew some of the victims. My heart goes out to the fire victims and the families. Thank you to the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre and the Buffalo Gals and the ladies of the Women’s Centre for such a beautiful memorial service. God Bless you all. On July 16, 2011 a fire took the lives of Norman Darius Anderson, age 22; Maureen Claire Harper, age 54; Kenneth Bradley Monkman, age 49; Dean James Stranden, age 44; and Robert Curtis Laforte, age 56. A sixth person also sustained serious injuries in the fire. The community came together to offer prayers in a memorial service organized by the NPD Women’s Centre and led by Elder Larry Monkman (of Thunderbird House), Rev. Mary Lysecki (from the NPD Women’s Centre), and Pastor Trevor Berg (from Grace Point Church). ♦
By Karen Dueck Exciting Summer Programs from Norquay Boys and Girls Club An exciting summer was had here at the Norquay Boys & Girls Club. We started off the summer by sending 4 children to Juni camp which was a 3 day and 2 night camp where the children swam, biked on the trails and enjoyed bonfires. There were outings to Fun Mountain, a Gold-eyes game, playing lots of baseball and many other fun experiences. Nine youth participated in the Rotary Leadership Program where they volunteered 60 hours to community service and leadership training which earned them a $200 shopping spree! CSI was again a hit this summer and we enjoyed spending each afternoon with all the classes. We concluded the summer by attending the week-long Kid-Netic Science Camp and eight youth attending BB Camp; a 5 day 4 night camp in Lake of the Woods!. Thanks everyone for a great summer! This summer has also brought some changes with the staff at club. Karen Dueck has changed positions with the Boys and Girls Club and is now the Assistant Director of Programs with the agency. Jamie Vann has stepped up to Manager of the Norquay Boys & Girls Club along with Adam Hnybida filling the role of Program Facilitator. The team is looking forward to offering some new and exciting programming this fall! Fall programming and hours start on September 7th. We offer drop-in programming each day after school from 3:30pm until 5:15pm. Grades 1-3 on Tuesdays & Thursdays
We also offer Enhanced (skill-building) Programs on several nights of the week. Please see our monthly calendar for daily schedules, visit our staff in club at the Norquay School or give us a call at 944-1637. We are excited to see all our returning members this fall, welcoming new members and getting to know the families. Hope you all had a fun and safe summer. ♦
By Monique Woroniak Winnipeg Public Library visits Norquay Community Centre The Library’s Check It Out! service comes to Norquay Community Centre on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., year round. The service brings books and magazines for all ages and activities for children and families. Enjoy story time, games, songs and rhymes, activities and crafts! Sign up for your Winnipeg Public Library card on the spot. Check It Out! does not charge any late fees for items borrowed from our service. For the full Check It Out! schedule visit Winnipeg Public Library’s website at: www.winnipeg.ca/library<http://www.winnipeg.ca/library> and click the “Outreach Services” button; or call 986-6475 or 986-6689. ♦ Centre top
By Hillary Forbes and Arron Sanduliak The Point Douglas Residents Committee and the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre have been putting our local youth and Urban Green Team to work again this year creating a more beautiful and vibrant community. Our Green Team members for summer 2011 are Cora Weins, Tony Lavallee, and Allen Swift, who work along side our Youth Odd Jobs Program. Some of the daily initiatives and projects they work on are street cleaning, helping with community events, and working on the various garden sites around North Point Douglas. The Green Team has been helping with many community events this year such as the 3rd Annual Bike Rodeo and the 2nd Annual Austin Street Festival on Aug 17th, both held by the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre, Joe Zuken Park and the Ross House Museum for the Canada Day celebrations, the Point Douglas Residents Committee on various events like Bike to Work Day, North End Renewal Corporation’s Picnic in the Park and as well, the North End Food Security Network which holds the Main Street Farmers Market on Main Street every Friday from 2 to 7pm beside St. Johns’ Park. This year, our Green Team has established more community gardens and has helped maintain these gardens by watering, weeding and tending to them daily. They clean the streets and address the community’s concerns about garbage and waste. The Green Team also works with the North Point Douglas Odd Jobs program, which gives even more local youth opportunities for employment and experience. The Urban Green Team and Youth Odd Jobs program gives youth the opportunity to take pride in their community while making your neighbourhood a more beautiful place to live. If you see them working on the street say hi and ask them what they’re going to be working on next! If you’d like to get involved, apply for the Youth Odd Jobs program, or apply for next year’s Urban Green Team, contact the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre @ 947-0321. ♦
by Alex Miller, Student Housing Coordinator PDRC The 2011 Block-by-Block Improvement Program: This summer was an exciting time for the Point Douglas Residents Committee! I was fortunate enough to be hired by the PDRC as their summer student to put together a project, the first of its kind in the neighbourhood. The Block-by-Block Improvement Program focused on specific streets, Syndicate, Austin and Stephens Streets, to help both homeowners and landlords improve the exterior of their homes and the curb-appeal of each street. We looked at every street before we chose those ones. It was important that the streets we chose had a mix of homeowners and renters. Over the past three months we have been working on this project and I was given the task of connecting with homeowners and landlords on our target streets. It was great getting to know residents and I had the pleasure of hearing about their experiences living in North Point Douglas. Since I am new to the neighbourhood, it was eye opening and made me realize just how strong the community is here! We are in the process of choosing properties to participate and the project itself should be completed by the beginning of October. Next summer, a roof lottery is being considered and may be another program that takes place in the neighbourhood. It would be for homeowners whose annual income is below $40,000. Your name would be entered into a draw and the winners will receive a new roof free of charge. But we need to know that enough people would be interested before we can go ahead. Call us at 927-3827 and leave a message with your name, address and phone number. Make sure to tell us that you are calling about the roof lottery. We would like to thank all three levels of government – together they form the Winnipeg Housing and Homelessness Initiative. They provide support to PDRC’s office costs, the Exterior Fix-up Grant Program, the Minimum Home Repair Program and Block by Block. Their commitment to improving the housing stock in North Point Douglas is the reason we offer these types of programs. The PDRC is committed to the residents of the neighbourhood and I am truly grateful I had the opportunity to work with them this past summer. They are a hard working group of people at the PDRC with the sole purpose of making sure the community continues to grow and change in a positive way. Keep your eyes on the next issue of The Point to find out how the Block-by-Block turned out! HABITAT FOR HUMANITY has a vacant lot and they are looking for a family that would like to build a home. To qualify, you must have young children and have been working steadily for the past two years. If you would like to find out more, call Brenda at 235-2405 or visit their website at www.habitat.mb.ca ♦
by Chris Burrows Welcome to Point Douglas and the Powerline. Everywhere you look this summer, people in North Point Douglas are painting their homes and planting gardens. Many neigbours are out making NPD more attractive. Our good landlords are seeing the beauty of NPD and they are upgrading their properties too. Since so many of you have worked through the Powerline getting rid of our drug houses and ganglets, we have seen so many more families outside going to the Splash Park and using the equipment at the Norquay Community Club. Over the last couple of months with the help of Citizens On Watch (COWs), we asked several landlords to ask their tenants to control their parties and evict them if the partying continued out of control; five landlords worked with us and five serious problems were evicted. Everyone has a party now and then, but these were every day, all night parties with drunken drivers, very young girls and drunks screaming and fighting through the night keeping neighbours awake. One was on our street, everybody was fed up with them, and the police were visiting regularly. This month in the same suite we have some lovely young people and yes they have parties, but the music is not too loud and they are friendly and helpful neighbours. We welcome them to North Point Douglas. If you call the Powerline about a problem house, the police must know the exact number of the house and the number of the suite if there is more than one. Did you know, your home must have a number on the front and also on the back? In case of emergency, vehicles may have to come to your back entrance. ♦
Norquay School Starts a New Year We are at one of my most favourite times of the year: the start of a new school year!! I simply love the possibility and the promise of a fresh new start. For many educators September is more like a “New Years’ Eve”…we make resolutions, we are inspired to do things better than before, we look forward to meeting our new students, and then there are the school supplies…fresh blank pages, whole sharp pencils, new crayons, clean scissors and lovely new gym shoes! The classroom floors are gleaming, the bulletin boards are framed and waiting for students’ work to be displayed and the fever of anticipation grips us all. Parents and communities alike do seem to fall into the new year with a renewed zeal for programming and extra-curricular activities. We encourage our community to get involved with our school and here are a few ways to get involved: =We have a Family Room that is open each day from 8:30 to 4:00 p.m. where a cup of coffee, access to a computer, daily newspapers, magazines, sewing machines, etc. are all available for our families. =Parent and Community council meets each month, usually the first Wednesday and we alternate between a lunch and dinner schedule. There is child care, a meal and door prizes, but more importantly there are opportunities to discuss the school and things that parents and community members would like to see happen at the school. =Volunteer! We can always use an extra pair of hands and if you want to volunteer please see the office or the staff in the Family Room. We would love to have more volunteers for working in our library; reading to/with children and just being around to help with bulletin boards. =Read the monthly newsletter. Just being aware of what is going on with our students and staff is being involved. Plan to come out to meet the staff night, join us for PAC, come to Make and Take evening. These are just a few of the ways we can get parents and community involved in the school but we are always open to more! Parents, please make sure that your children are in school every day - on time! We really believe that every day — ALL day can make a difference! We are very excited about this school year…lets make it your child’s BEST year ever!! ♦
by Annie Bergen We, the artists at Studio 631, are creating a mixed-media mosaic with the inner city community called, “Restoration”. We are using tile, mirror, buttons, beads, glass and pretty much anything shiny and pretty! We are located out of the Red Road Lodge (631 Main Street). Join us each Friday and Saturday throughout summer and into the fall, from 1 - 9 pm. We invite you to come join in the fun - no experience necessary! We will teach you basic skills, and we guarantee you will have fun and be inspired! Bring your friends and family, and join us in the creation of this unique and eclectic mural project. We are also accepting donations of materials for the wall: broken ceramic dishes, jewelry, tiles, cutlery... whatever you have to give is appreciated! ♦
by Shirley Kowalchuk North Point Douglas Seniors Association now in house “too tough” to stay down A dramatic arched wooden ceiling tops newly revitalized Barber House. A large capacity crowd squeezed into the cathedral-like space, and dozens more people spilled out into the “playtrium” - a large, windowed, multi-functional common room connecting Barber House to Eagle Wing Early Education Centre. Once reduced last year into a partial heap of smouldering ash from yet another fire, Barber house reopened August 3 as home to the North Point Douglas Seniors Association (Seniors With Attitude). “This is the end of a journey”, said Sandy Dzedzora, co-chair of SISTARS (Sisters Initiating Steps Towards a Renewed Society) - a group of women who came together in their common need. “It was hard to get jobs, watch our kids, get an education”, she said. The group decided to do something about it, and they began with community surveys and meetings that confirmed what they knew: there was an overwhelming need for daycare as well as support for seniors in their Point Douglas community. On opening day of Barber House, as many in the crowd gazed at the majestic ceiling, (which slows the reverberation time of sound) the room became suddenly warm and welcoming. Time-worn sounds of clicking boot heels could be heard as award winning jiggers spontaneously and without fanfare began to dance as in days of old. Sounds then became more modern as three Graffiti Art Gallery dancers performed to a medley of modified hip hop, interlaced with aboriginal chants and drum beats. More dancers joined until all six performers, moving together, had powerfully honoured all four directions, dancing in parallel to each wall of Barber House. “If ever there was a building that should have been down and out for the count and reduced to the lumber bin of history, it should have been this house”, said Shirley Kowalchuk, one of many speakers. “Instead, perhaps true to a natural law of survival, Barber House seemed to draw on its challenges until finally, it stands before us, vital, vibrant and useful”. “It feels like coming home”, said Vivian Semmer, a Barber house descendant who remembers family days spent there. Her daughter, Corey Martin added: “I have a spiritual feeling about the house. It feels very peaceful. It feels happy”. Another daughter and special guest speaker, Tracy Semmer -Kloos surprisingly opened her remarks with: “Thank you for saying yes!” The comment was directed at guest speaker Christine Melnick, Minister of Water Stewardship. Melnick had responded to the SISTARS request for help to implement their vision for care for Point Douglas seniors and children. The vision included the restoration of Barber House - a dream the Barber descendents held for years since it was last inhabited by Lily Barber in 1959. The genealogy of Barber House reveals a direct link between aboriginal people and the Selkirk settlers. It was the bridal home of Barbara Barber, whose Salteaux mother married Robert Logan, a Selkirk Settler. The oral history of the Barber family contains intriguing tales of significant historical turning points. Semmer-Kloos spoke of the beautiful grounds with day lilies and a barn, now demolished, where the family’s pet bison was corralled. The family discovered aboriginal arrow heads within the barn’s foundation. They will be returned for display at the house “now that she’s happy again”, said Semmer-Kloos. She described how a spiritual blessing took place six years ago, in which the blessing’s remnants were distributed upon the grave of Louis Riel and John Christian Schultz “so”, she said, “they could make amends”. She recounted how some logs from Fort Douglas, the headquarters of the Selkirk Settlers (the childhood residence of the young bride that first moved into Barber House) were used in the house’s construction. A large, deeply embossed family bible was presented to SISTARS by the Barber family. “My uncle said it is 400 years old”, said Semmer-Kloos. The bible also served as a repository for accounts of marriages, deaths and other important events of her ancestors. “The spirit of Barber House is spirit of the community of the past and today”, said Christine Melnick, who Dzedzora referred to affectionately as “the mother of Barber House”. Said Dzedzora, ”If she hadn’t said yes to us, we wouldn’t be here today. We were shocked because we weren’t used to hearing people say yes. She is my hero”. A full library of gently used books for children and adults will be donated by Melnick’s “Share the Magic” book campaign. “Barber House has a wonderful past”, said Wins Bridgman, restoration architect. “But we sure didn’t see that on June 20 last year”, when his group visited the site. “A number of logs lay splayed out before us”. Bridgman described how a large part of the roof was simply gone, and 75% of the logs had burned. Yet he said the house reflected a powerful community - its pride as well as stability. “This house represents all those things, but this was far beyond what we saw on June 20”, said Bridgman. Today Barber House articulates its past through a beautiful interior design that incorporates its arson-scarred timbers. “We built a steel building around its perimeter, that you can’t see. No logs are self supporting. What you see is a history - it is free of its own structure”. Bridgman movingly pondered the question of how to tell the long story of all the community groups and people who tried to save the building. “How many people tried to save it? We carry all those scars of our history. Perhaps we don’t have to hide that”, he said. Bridgman described the “audacity and amazing braveness and brashness” of the SISTARS organization who believed in the vision of placing a daycare next to a building (Barber House) that ominously once read Do Not Enter. “They believed in the passion of the community that said, “we will find a way”, said Bridgman. Other guest speakers included city councillors Ross Eadie and Grant Nordman and Minister for Public Safety, Vic Toews. Each spoke about the importance of building for the future upon recognition of our past. Thanks were given to efforts at all levels of government as well as the Winnipeg Foundation, the Royal Bank and private donors like Canadian Greenhouses who donated flowers and Wal-Mart Evergreen Fund who donated sod. The St. John’s Football Club and the Boys and Girls club donated time to beautify the grounds. “Even an elderly local couple with beautiful grounds of their own came to help”, said Sel Burrows, Chair of North Point Douglas Seniors Association - who organized the many hands who cut the ribbon. ♦ top
by Angel Peterson Eagle Wing Daycare Soars into the Future From our first official meeting in November of 2004, with Christine Melnyk, then Minister of Family Services and Housing, to our Grand Opening in July 2011, Sistars has gone through many ups and downs. The top three Community needs were quickly met; career training, fulfilling work and childcare. As childcare was necessary for the success of the other goals to be met, a basic childcare was set up in a church basement, while plans were made for a state-of-the-art childcare to come. This took so much longer than we thought, but we persevered. These were our children, our future. The Childcare Standards of Best Practices were to be our minimum goal. We were quite amazed at the amount of money required to build from scratch like this. The design process was begun with community involvement, then continued with the Childcare board and daycare officials. Since we had the Barber House on our lot, with the stipulation that we have it restored, it was really important that we incorporate that into the design process. This caused another set of problems, because Child Daycare doesn’t fund anything but the childcare building itself, and then only to minimum standards, leaving staff rooms and storage areas as “extras”. We had to make sure we had 100% funding committed before we could even begin and since most agencies will only commit if others commit first, this was a very trying time. Getting funding for the community aspects of the joined room and Barber House itself had to be found elsewhere. Fortunately, we were able to tap in Community Places, Manitoba Heritage, and many other places for funds. Wal-mart Evergreen fund generously donated to the landscaping. One thing that we needed to fund also, was a project manager, as the scope of the work, from grant applications, to design and work and government meetings and millions of things in between, was too much for volunteers to handle on their own. We needed a knowledgeable person to be able to commit to work on this full time for the main project stage. We lost over a year with the first person we hired, but then found the perfect person, and she worked her tail off for us. Even with her contract and funding running out, she continues with the wrapping up of the project, volunteering her time to make sure all the final reports are in so that all held-back funds are released and bills can be paid. In spite of all of the little things that cropped up to delay the opening of the new Childcare building, it was finally accomplished! We on the Board were so relieved! Staff, children and parents were thrilled! Although there were still issues to deal with, we had our Grand Opening of Eagle Wing Early Education Centre. There were thankful prayers made and a native blessing ceremony held. Many people were acknowledged at this time. The afternoon was wrapped up with food in the Community Room and viewing of the Childcare Centre and the Barber House. Lack of funding has held back the furnishing of the infant room, causing the acceptance of infants to be delayed, which in turn makes paying the current bills harder, but all this is coming together as the final funding cheques come trickling in. All in all, it’s been a job well done for everyone involved. We’ve even accomplished goal #4 with the development of a senior’s Drop-In Centre in the Barber House. A core group, consisting of SISTARS’ Board members and additional seniors, have been working hard at planning programming for this. Other dreams carried over from our original plans are a community kitchen, café and laundromat. Just maybe some of us will have some energy left to pursue these goals. We definitely need some new energy on the Board and hope to be able to add some new members at our upcoming AGM. In addition to the SISTARS Board, we need parents to join the Eagle Wing Childcare Management Committee. ♦by Joan Dentry
Since the city decided, in its wisdom, not to plant flowers in the containers on Main Street, Councillor Eadie took matters into his own hands. He arranged for soil to be delivered and put in the flower boxes, flowers to be donated and purchased, water to be brought from the rain barrels at the community garden and for volunteers to do the planting. Everything was ready when we arrived at 8 in the
morning. Safety vests were donned, sleeves were rolled up, gloves
were put on, trowels were flourished, and everyone set to work. By
the end of the day, all the planters were full. Many people and organizations contributed to the effort:
Thank you to all the contributors, to Councillor Eadie and to all the volunteer planters. Please enjoy the flowers as you walk, bike or ride up Main Street North. I look forward to seeing what the city will plant in the flower boxes next year. ♦
by Rick Caslake Barber House Senior Centre is now open! How long have the seniors in North Point Douglas waited to hear that? A big hug and thank-you to all of our volunteers – seniors and some not so senior – who have built our raised bed planters, moved material into our rock garden and of course, donated and planted all of the flowers that are now in such glorious bloom at 99 Euclid Avenue. There will be outdoor benches and tables here soon, but for now, bring a blanket, sit on the grass in the shade, and enjoy this beautiful part of our neighbourhood. Every weekday morning at 9:30, Barber House is open to 55+ Seniors for coffee, tea, juice and a few baked goods as well. Drop in to say “hi”, have a coffee with your neighbours, and catch up on the latest news. We have a ping-pong table set up in the Playtrium and there are tables and chairs inside Barber House, with newspapers and books, also cards for Bridge or Cribbage, and we can put on some music if you like. Outdoor sports equipment is here, as well as Bocci, Croquet, Badminton and Horseshoes. And we have a phone and a computer for our 55+ Seniors Members to use. Join me in your new Barber House Senior Centre – I look forward to meeting you. ♦
by Jordan Van Sewell I volunteered for a few hours at Ross House during the “Doors Open” Winnipeg weekend. Well, ”volunteered”. In reality I had a great conversation with Victor regarding the operation, goals, and future dreams for the area. Of extreme interest to me was the notion of celebrating the centennial of The Vulcan Iron Works in 2018 (?) That’s the behemoth on Sutherland whose flaking white paint reveals the faded glory of this impressive red brick structure. I don’t know much about the Iron Works, but I do know that it was the staging grounds for the labour march that led to the 1919 general strike and riots - hummm, not much has changed in public discontent. The Iron Works also supplied most of the farming implements and mining equipment throughout the emerging new west. Sheldon Blank of Gateway Industries (think the Point proper) owns the Vulcan Iron Works. No, he’s not Mr. Spock from Star Trek! I also understand Mr. B knows the importance of the structure. I do worry about big empty buildings however. In my time in S.P.D. fire has taken all of the big empty buildings that used to line Higgins Avenue. Well, that and demolition by neglect. I just got back from a 5401 km. sojourn on my motorcycle. I can’t list the number of places I visited. Most memorable were The Canadian Museum Of Rail Travel in Cranbrook and a folksy little museum in Herbert , Alberta. One had millions of dollars pumped into it and the other had the love and the memories of the townspeople keeping it going. Each is spectacular. I couldn’t help but think of our own Forks and how it too, would top any list you could compile. This got me thinking how thrilling it would be to identify someone to champion the idea of reclaiming The Iron Works as an historic destination. Someone who could access the millions of dollars required for such an undertaking. The competition for money is fierce. The Human Rights Museum continues to intrigue the cityscape of Winnipeg as it emerges. However, there are many dollars needed to solve the social woes right here in our neighbourhood. Where do you even begin? Will there be a recognizable neighbourhood when the Disraeli is completed? What about the fabled secondary plan for the area? Will anyone even care? Currently there are three refits to celebrate in Point Douglas: The “Centre” at Sutherland and Euclid, of course, Barber House and Neechi Foods on Main. I hope with these restorations there’s also the untold reclamation of pride in our community. There’s an election coming up! What do the politicians say about the dreams and goals of our “home”? But then again, they’re not dreamers and artistes. Are they? ♦
by Christie Paul This summer has been a hot and sunny one! And yet somehow it managed to rain on our Fun Mountain outing day again this year! *sigh ... With a little rescheduling we still made our way to the waterslides just a few weeks later than planned. Attendance was high as we all looked forward to family outing days over the summer. Our group of 25 parents and kids went on 11 outings to old time favorites like Fun Mountain and Folkfest, but also to some new ones this year such as Stonewall Quarry Beach and the new Children’s Garden at Assiniboine Park. Together with Grace Point Church, we also brought the entertainment home, and hired Winnipeg magician, Ryan Price, to perform at Joe Zuken Park. (Special thanks to Victor at Ross House Museum for all his help.) We also had some “Women Only” outings (that means no kids!) this summer as well, taking in a trip to Winnipeg Beach in July and a Bomber game in August. The Mural of Many Colours The highlight of our summer was the exciting week of mural painting. We can hardly believe the transformation of our building that happened right before our eyes. As one woman said, “you can’t miss the Women’s Centre now!” How right she is. We are very grateful to the generous donation of Graffiti Art Gallery for such a stunning job and for the way the whole community was invited to take part in designing and painting our mural. What’s Cookin’ this Fall? The Community Oven is being built in September and training will begin on how to cook using the oven. The Community Kitchen will also be back up and running – learn a new recipe and bring home supper for your family. If you want to get involved in either of these programs call 947-0321 and ask for Jess. Some Goodbyes We are sad to say goodbye to long time Youth Outreach Worker, Arron Sanduliak. We wish him good luck as he heads on to studies at the University of Winnipeg. Relief Worker, Mary Lysecki will no longer be working for us (as she now has a full time job), but she has joined our Board of Directors. Thanks also to our Urban Green Teamers and Canada Summer Jobs students – I’m sure we’ll be seeing them around here again. ♦
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Letters to the Editor We welcome your letters and opinions at any time. You may contact us by email at info@pointdouglas.net , by telephone at 942-6811, by writing to us at The Point Community News, c/o #1 - 116 Grove St. Wpg MB, R2W 3K8, or by dropping a letter into our mailbox at that address. ♦ |
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