Look for the helpers
But I'm here to assure you, folks, there's still plenty of good happening in the world — even if it sometimes gets buried beneath all the doom and gloom.
The past few days have been a healthy reminder for me.
Let's start with Monday, when I took part in one of my favourite summer events — a charity golf tournament. This one was in support of Manitoba's Cardiac Centre of Excellence at St. Boniface Hospital, which helps tens of thousands of patients every year.
Mother Nature (mostly) cooperated, keeping the forecasted rain (mostly) at bay, and by day's end, $100,000 had been raised — money that will do wonders for the community. It was a vivid reminder of the generous spirit of Manitobans, and it definitely warmed my heart as I played on the Free Press team along with president and CEO Mike Power and vice-president of revenue and business development Michele Prysazniuk.
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On Tuesday morning, I joined about 50 volunteers as they hit the streets of Winnipeg to deliver kindness to those who need it most.
Led by Mitch Bourbonniere and the incredible folks at Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin (OPK), they head out twice a week with much-needed food, water, clothing and personal supplies for dozens of people living on the streets.
This was part of a bigger project I've been working on this summer, with the finished product set to appear next month in the newspaper.
The outing reminded me of a story Fred Rogers — better known as Mr. Rogers — often told about his mother:
'When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.''
Anyone driving down Main Street that morning would have seen the helpers in spades. It was a poignant, powerful display.
And then, earlier today, I found myself back on the golf course — this time to meet a remarkable young man from Minnesota.
Charlie Bristow has built a large following through his Instagram account, Charlie's Golfing Club. Charlie lives with advanced scoliosis and is on the autism spectrum, and he's found comfort in the game of golf, travelling across the United States — and now into Canada — to tee it up.
A Winnipegger named Eugene Hayduk heard about Charlie's journey and invited him and his father to play here. I was asked to round out their foursome.
'Charlie's story inspired me, as I've worked with a number of youth with autism spectrum disorder,' said Hayduk, a social worker.
'I've also endured several surgeries for my stage-four cancer diagnosis, as has Charlie for his scoliosis. Seeing him swing the club, given his challenges, inspired me — so I've been following his journey closely.'
I'm writing a feature story on Charlie and his experience, which you'll find online Friday afternoon and in Saturday's paper. Like Hayduk — and now myself — I hope you, too, will come away inspired.
A few programming notes for the coming weeks:
Next week, I'll have daily tee-to-green coverage of the Manitoba Open, being held this year at Breezy Bend. Talk about a full-circle moment — the last time the course hosted the tournament was in 1993, when I was an 18-year-old caddying in it. Now, 32 years later, I'll be covering it for the Free Press for the eighth time.
Four-time men's amateur champ Braxton Kuntz will start his pro career on his home golf course at the Manitoba Open. (Thomas Friesen / The Brandon Sun files)
I had the chance to sneak in a round at Breezy on Tuesday — yes, I've been doing a LOT of 'work-related' golfing this week — and let me just say the PGA Tour Americas pros are in for a treat. The course is in pristine condition.
One piece of advice to the field of 156, not that they need any from a duffer like me: stay out of the rough. It's already about four inches long, and by the time the 72-hole event begins next Thursday, it'll be closer to five. It can be a beast to escape. I speak from experience — after hacking my way through it all afternoon, my arms and back are still feeling it.
Once a new champion is crowned on Aug. 24, I'll be stepping away from the paper (and this newsletter) for a brief holiday break, returning Sept. 9. When I'm back, I'll be putting the finishing touches on that news project I mentioned earlier before diving head-first into what should be a fascinating season of Winnipeg Jets coverage.
This will be my 10th year on the hockey beat, and it all gets rolling Sept. 17 when training camp officially opens. We've got big plans this year — including taking our NHL coverage all the way to Italy, where I'll be in Milan for the Winter Olympics.
I can't wait.
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Winnipeg Free Press
17 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Look for the helpers
It's easy these days to get caught in the trap of thinking everything is awful. But I'm here to assure you, folks, there's still plenty of good happening in the world — even if it sometimes gets buried beneath all the doom and gloom. The past few days have been a healthy reminder for me. Let's start with Monday, when I took part in one of my favourite summer events — a charity golf tournament. This one was in support of Manitoba's Cardiac Centre of Excellence at St. Boniface Hospital, which helps tens of thousands of patients every year. Mother Nature (mostly) cooperated, keeping the forecasted rain (mostly) at bay, and by day's end, $100,000 had been raised — money that will do wonders for the community. It was a vivid reminder of the generous spirit of Manitobans, and it definitely warmed my heart as I played on the Free Press team along with president and CEO Mike Power and vice-president of revenue and business development Michele Prysazniuk. Advertisement Why this ad? On Tuesday morning, I joined about 50 volunteers as they hit the streets of Winnipeg to deliver kindness to those who need it most. Led by Mitch Bourbonniere and the incredible folks at Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin (OPK), they head out twice a week with much-needed food, water, clothing and personal supplies for dozens of people living on the streets. This was part of a bigger project I've been working on this summer, with the finished product set to appear next month in the newspaper. The outing reminded me of a story Fred Rogers — better known as Mr. Rogers — often told about his mother: 'When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'' Anyone driving down Main Street that morning would have seen the helpers in spades. It was a poignant, powerful display. And then, earlier today, I found myself back on the golf course — this time to meet a remarkable young man from Minnesota. Charlie Bristow has built a large following through his Instagram account, Charlie's Golfing Club. Charlie lives with advanced scoliosis and is on the autism spectrum, and he's found comfort in the game of golf, travelling across the United States — and now into Canada — to tee it up. A Winnipegger named Eugene Hayduk heard about Charlie's journey and invited him and his father to play here. I was asked to round out their foursome. 'Charlie's story inspired me, as I've worked with a number of youth with autism spectrum disorder,' said Hayduk, a social worker. 'I've also endured several surgeries for my stage-four cancer diagnosis, as has Charlie for his scoliosis. Seeing him swing the club, given his challenges, inspired me — so I've been following his journey closely.' I'm writing a feature story on Charlie and his experience, which you'll find online Friday afternoon and in Saturday's paper. Like Hayduk — and now myself — I hope you, too, will come away inspired. A few programming notes for the coming weeks: Next week, I'll have daily tee-to-green coverage of the Manitoba Open, being held this year at Breezy Bend. Talk about a full-circle moment — the last time the course hosted the tournament was in 1993, when I was an 18-year-old caddying in it. Now, 32 years later, I'll be covering it for the Free Press for the eighth time. Four-time men's amateur champ Braxton Kuntz will start his pro career on his home golf course at the Manitoba Open. (Thomas Friesen / The Brandon Sun files) I had the chance to sneak in a round at Breezy on Tuesday — yes, I've been doing a LOT of 'work-related' golfing this week — and let me just say the PGA Tour Americas pros are in for a treat. The course is in pristine condition. One piece of advice to the field of 156, not that they need any from a duffer like me: stay out of the rough. It's already about four inches long, and by the time the 72-hole event begins next Thursday, it'll be closer to five. It can be a beast to escape. I speak from experience — after hacking my way through it all afternoon, my arms and back are still feeling it. Once a new champion is crowned on Aug. 24, I'll be stepping away from the paper (and this newsletter) for a brief holiday break, returning Sept. 9. When I'm back, I'll be putting the finishing touches on that news project I mentioned earlier before diving head-first into what should be a fascinating season of Winnipeg Jets coverage. This will be my 10th year on the hockey beat, and it all gets rolling Sept. 17 when training camp officially opens. We've got big plans this year — including taking our NHL coverage all the way to Italy, where I'll be in Milan for the Winter Olympics. I can't wait.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Free Press Head Start for Aug. 15, 2025
Sunny, becoming a mix of sun and cloud this afternoon. Wind becoming west at 20 km/h gusting to 40 this morning. High 23 C. Humidex 25. UV index 7 or high. What's happening today A new 4K restoration of Winnipeg-raised director David Secter's 1965 debut feature Winter Kept Us Warm opens tonight at the Dave Barber Cinematheque and runs until Aug. 20. Shot on campus against the wishes of the conservative establishment with an assist from student actors at the University of Toronto and photo school instructors from the former Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, the film has been cited as an inspiration by David Cronenberg, who has called the film 'a shattering revelation.' For tickets and showtimes, click here. Winter Kept Us Warm is screening six times at Cinematheque. (Supplied) Today's must-read Manitoba's first targeted U.S. campaign to attract American board-certified nurses has led to three new hires, nine currently working toward being licensed and 29 additional expressions of interest. 'We're glad to see that interest, but this is just one tool in our recruitment toolbox,' Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said in a statement. 'Our priority remains the one-on-one relationship-building that's proven to get results and keep people here for the long term.' If the province wants to attract more nurses, it needs to get its largest hospital removed from the 'grey list' alerting nurses that it's an unsafe place to work, says the head of their union. Carol Sanders has the story. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) On the bright side Neepawa is home to one of Canada's only remaining public-access television stations. Prior estimates that there are fewer than 30 left in Canada. Launching in 1983, during public-access TV's heyday, NAC-TV has a small studio and control room in which a tight-knit team of staff, volunteers and summer students dart back and forth. Part civic forum, part variety show, its programming blends local political news with charming homegrown fare — scavenger hunts, Filipino heritage events, high school sports and graduation ceremonies. Conrad Sweatman has the story. Neepawa's Community Access Television Station (NACTV) NACTV Manager Ken Waddell, left, and Eoin Devereux, journalist, in discussion on their show that discusses news and issues from the Neepawa Banner and Press. (Cheryl Hnatiuk / Free Press) On this date On Aug. 15, 1963: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in London, police had arrested four suspects and seized a large sum of money (equivalent to $300,000), apparently cracking Britain's great train robbery. The Soviet Union and China revealed the source of their acrid dispute over the nuclear test ban treaty: the U.S.S.R.'s refusal in 1959 to give China nuclear weapons. Prairie farmers expecrted a bumper crop, exceeding even that of 1952, a Free Press survey indicated. Read the rest of this day's paper here. Search our archives for more here. Today's front page Get the full story: Read today's e-edition of the Free Press .
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Snow Lake prepares for imminent return of 1,000 twice-evacuated residents
About 1,000 wildfire evacuees from Snow Lake are expected to soon join thousands of Manitobans who are gradually returning home after firefighters were aided by cool and wet weather. Mayor Ron Scott said sprinklers were being taken down and essential services, including a grocery store, were starting to be restored to help prepare for residents once provincial officials deem it safe to go back. 'They will basically be giving us the green light in terms of when people can come back, but we do expect it to be soon,' he said by phone from Snow Lake, about 690 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. TOWN OF SNOWLAKE / FACEBOOK Aerial photos of Snow Lake which was evacuated July 10 for the second time this wildfire season. Snow Lake was evacuated July 10 for the second time this wildfire season, which is Manitoba's worst on record in 30 years. The first evacuation lasted a week. The second has entered its sixth week. 'It's certainly been very tough on everybody,' said Scott, who stayed in The Pas until council members returned to the town Monday. 'I know everyone is getting frustrated and wants to get back home as soon as possible, and the same goes for all our crews that stayed behind — from firefighters to support (staff) to the command team. 'Everyone is tired. They want this to be over and to get on with their lives.' When Snow Lake residents are allowed to return home, a welcome centre will be set up to offer physical and mental-health services, a food bank and other supports. Rain, light winds and cooler temperatures have helped crews make good progress on several large blazes this week. Some communities lifted mandatory or medical-related evacuation orders. Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) began a phased return of about 3,000 evacuees Wednesday, Deputy Chief Marcel Moody said. The status of a 46,000-hectare fire, north of NCN, changed from 'out of control' to 'being held,' as per the Manitoba Wildfire Service. Evacuees in Winnipeg are scheduled to return by bus Friday. 'People want to go back because there have been so many issues with accommodations here in Winnipeg,' Moody said. Officials were concerned about evacuees' safety in congregate shelters and hotels, and about reports of drug dealers preying on people with addictions, he said. Some evacuees in hotels had to relocate because they were in rooms that had been previously booked, he said. Moody said about 600 evacuees who were moved to Niagara Falls, Ont., are expected to fly home next week. Evacuees with breathing issues or other serious medical conditions were not yet cleared to return to NCN, about 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg. NCN issued a mandatory evacuation order Aug. 3. It was paused a couple days later, allowing hundreds of residents to remain, after the wind direction shifted. Manitoba had an estimated 12,830 evacuees as of Thursday morning, with almost 600 in shelters and about 7,125 in hotels, a provincial spokesperson said. The total was closer to 14,000 last week. The Manitoba Wildfire's Service's most recent situation report listed 158 active fires as of Wednesday, including 19 that were out of control. A provincewide state of emergency is in effect until next Aug. 22. FACEBOOK Costa Rican firefighters on their way to Manitoba to help with wildfires. Snow Lake received 15 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours to Thursday morning, which is expected to keep fire behaviour low for a few days. The town had received only about 38 millimetres since May 5, Scott said. 'It underscores the extreme drought conditions we've been having all summer,' he said. Scott said 100 firefighters from Costa Rica are set to arrive this weekend, while crews from Mexico and Australia depart. They will join firefighters from Snow Lake and other parts of Manitoba. 'There's a major push on to to get this fire dealt with and get it put out,' he said. 'It's been a long battle for everybody, but they've done an incredible job.' Snow Lake and nearby mining areas were threatened by an out-of-control fire that was caused by lightning and detected July 1. The blaze, which merged with several others, measured almost 64,000 hectares. Scott said no structures were damaged in town, despite flames on its doorstep at one point. 'The crews were able to battle that (fire) back. It was a very close fight a couple weeks ago,' he said. 'Same for the (Lalor) mine. They managed to save all the area around that mine.' One cabin and some outbuildings around Squall Lake were lost, he said. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. Manitoba Hydro said about 1,300 customers are without power in five northern communities due to wildfires. The Crown corporation said it is unable to estimate restoration times. Evacuees from Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) have been out of their homes since late May, initially due to a nearby fire and now due to an ongoing power outage. Manitoba Hydro said repairs to wooden poles, power lines and transformers are taking place in remote areas with difficult terrain and little or no road access. The utility said more than 1,200 poles have been damaged or destroyed, with about 500 repaired or replaced so far. Chris KitchingReporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
