Build it, and they will come
St. Vital
West EndRivergrove
Scott Templeton and Richie Jones are encouraging folks to explore the wonders of Lego — one brick at a time.
Templeton and Jones are members of the Manitoba Lego Users Group, which will be holding an event called River City Brickfest at Grant Park Shopping Centre (1120 Grant Ave.).
According to its website, the club — which currently has around 50 members — was founded in August of 2011 by four enthusiastic fans of Lego bricks. Since then, it has continued to grow and holds events in the community.
Supplied photo
Scott Templeton, pictured here with some of his Lego creations, is a member of the Manitoba Lego Users Group, which will be holding an event called River City Brickfest at Grant Park Shopping Centre on June 14.
The event will be held on June 14 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the mall's centre court, and visitors will have the chance to check out builds by club members, as well as build their own creations in a play area. There will also be the chance to win a Lego set.
Templeton, who has been a group member for the last seven years, joined before the COVID-19 pandemic hit — something he said contributed to more people connecting, or reconnecting, with different hobbies and pastimes.
'When COVID happened, lots of people went back to their old hobbies and doing things like puzzles,' Templeton, a teacher at Bruce Middle School, said.
Noting group members dub themselves AFOLs — adult fans of Lego — Templeton said the hobby fosters a collective connection.
'Lego has figured it out,' Templeton said. 'A cool thing about the group is that it unites us.'
Templeton said different Lego builders are into different themes — some like space, some prefer castles, and some gravitate towards trains. His own Lego-building preferences include military history and aviation; something with 'historical significance.' In general, the list has no limits — like one's imagination.
'For me, it's about storytelling. The biggest thing I've built to date is the old Winnipeg Arena. I shared some photos if it, and it went viral. I love hockey, and I love the Jets, and I loved the feedback I received,' Templeton said.
'I try to build things with a story in mind that drive me. If you ask my fiancée, she'll probably say I have too much Lego,' he added, with a laugh.
'I have lots in the basement, and everyone has their own system of how they sort and display. It's about personal preference.'
Manitoba Lego Users Group members meet in-person every couple of months, with virtual meetings in between.
It's the second year the club has held Brickfest, Templeton said, and visitors can expect to see tables of displays featuring projects members are working on, and there will also be a contest where people can vote for their favourite creations.
Club member Richie Jones said the time he spends working with Lego is a way for him to escape.
'I have a room where I can escape, and it's relaxing for me,' said Jones, a Rivergrove resident who is the groundskeeper at Shooters Family Golf Centre and Restaurant. 'I love coming up with ideas, and I very much enjoy how Lego has progressed.'
Jones said he enjoys creating winter village Christmas scenes with Lego, and also enjoys working on old soccer field landscapes.
'Lego is definitely a huge interest for me. It's a hobby where I can create, and I can expand my mind,' Jones said.
Mondays
A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities.
'My wife supports it 100 per cent,' he added, noting the therapeutic and calming qualities the hobby brings.
'If I need to clear my mind, I like to go into my Lego room and start building something.'
Jones said club members previously met a Glenwood Community Centre for a long period of time, and their next meeting will be at Windsor Community Centre in July.
Go online at sites.google.com/site/manitobalegousersgroup for more information about the group.
Visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/river-city-brickfest-tickets-1357870670729 for more event details.
Simon FullerCommunity Journalist
Simon Fuller is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at simon.fuller@freepress.mb.ca or call him at 204-697-7111.
Read full biography
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Build it, and they will come
St. Vital West EndRivergrove Scott Templeton and Richie Jones are encouraging folks to explore the wonders of Lego — one brick at a time. Templeton and Jones are members of the Manitoba Lego Users Group, which will be holding an event called River City Brickfest at Grant Park Shopping Centre (1120 Grant Ave.). According to its website, the club — which currently has around 50 members — was founded in August of 2011 by four enthusiastic fans of Lego bricks. Since then, it has continued to grow and holds events in the community. Supplied photo Scott Templeton, pictured here with some of his Lego creations, is a member of the Manitoba Lego Users Group, which will be holding an event called River City Brickfest at Grant Park Shopping Centre on June 14. The event will be held on June 14 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the mall's centre court, and visitors will have the chance to check out builds by club members, as well as build their own creations in a play area. There will also be the chance to win a Lego set. Templeton, who has been a group member for the last seven years, joined before the COVID-19 pandemic hit — something he said contributed to more people connecting, or reconnecting, with different hobbies and pastimes. 'When COVID happened, lots of people went back to their old hobbies and doing things like puzzles,' Templeton, a teacher at Bruce Middle School, said. Noting group members dub themselves AFOLs — adult fans of Lego — Templeton said the hobby fosters a collective connection. 'Lego has figured it out,' Templeton said. 'A cool thing about the group is that it unites us.' Templeton said different Lego builders are into different themes — some like space, some prefer castles, and some gravitate towards trains. His own Lego-building preferences include military history and aviation; something with 'historical significance.' In general, the list has no limits — like one's imagination. 'For me, it's about storytelling. The biggest thing I've built to date is the old Winnipeg Arena. I shared some photos if it, and it went viral. I love hockey, and I love the Jets, and I loved the feedback I received,' Templeton said. 'I try to build things with a story in mind that drive me. If you ask my fiancée, she'll probably say I have too much Lego,' he added, with a laugh. 'I have lots in the basement, and everyone has their own system of how they sort and display. It's about personal preference.' Manitoba Lego Users Group members meet in-person every couple of months, with virtual meetings in between. It's the second year the club has held Brickfest, Templeton said, and visitors can expect to see tables of displays featuring projects members are working on, and there will also be a contest where people can vote for their favourite creations. Club member Richie Jones said the time he spends working with Lego is a way for him to escape. 'I have a room where I can escape, and it's relaxing for me,' said Jones, a Rivergrove resident who is the groundskeeper at Shooters Family Golf Centre and Restaurant. 'I love coming up with ideas, and I very much enjoy how Lego has progressed.' Jones said he enjoys creating winter village Christmas scenes with Lego, and also enjoys working on old soccer field landscapes. 'Lego is definitely a huge interest for me. It's a hobby where I can create, and I can expand my mind,' Jones said. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. 'My wife supports it 100 per cent,' he added, noting the therapeutic and calming qualities the hobby brings. 'If I need to clear my mind, I like to go into my Lego room and start building something.' Jones said club members previously met a Glenwood Community Centre for a long period of time, and their next meeting will be at Windsor Community Centre in July. Go online at for more information about the group. Visit for more event details. Simon FullerCommunity Journalist Simon Fuller is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at or call him at 204-697-7111. Read full biography 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.
Toronto Sun
21 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Joe Rogan says ‘two former presidents' called Spotify over COVID commentary
Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience. Photo by PowerfulJRE / YouTube Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Joe Rogan claims that two unnamed ex-presidents were not fans of his controversial COVID commentary on his podcasts and called Spotify to complain. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In 2022, Spotify was under fire for allowing Rogan to spread what some perceived was misinformation about the coronavirus on his popular podcast. Neil Young pulled all his content from Spotify and encouraged others to do the same, claiming the digital streaming service 'has become the home of life threatening COVID misinformation' — all for the almighty dollar. 'And then all of a sudden, I hear that Neil Young wants me removed from Spotify. I was like, 'What the f*** is going on? This is crazy,'' Rogan said on Tuesday's episode of The Joe Rogan Experience . 'Spotify got calls from two former presidents,' he told guest Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, a Houston-based otolaryngologist who wrote a book chronicling her battle against medical institutions for early COVID-19 treatments and health-care transparency. Spotify announced it would flag podcasts that cover COVID-19, however, Rogan says he was positively impacted by the backlash. 'I grew by two million subscribers in a month,' he boasted. 'People started listening, and they started listening, like, 'Oh, he's really reasonable and pretty humble about all this stuff and just asking questions.'' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Rogan also slammed how some media outlets attacked his use of Ivermectin for treating the virus by referring to it as a horse dewormer. 'I'm, like, 'Why aren't you guys concentrating on the fact that a 55-year-old man is fine three days later during the worst strain?' 'It was during the Delta where everybody's freaking out. 'This one's going to kill us all,'' he continued. 'And I was fine in three days.' He said it was the COVID controversy that served as his 'wake-up call' when it came to mainstream media. RECOMMENDED VIDEO 'It's so dirty. It's such a dirty business,' Rogan said. 'God, I used to have massive respect for journalists,' he continued. 'If I had never done this podcast, I would be your regular schmo out there with, you know, just spitting out all the company lines and all the blast all over the news.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He added with a laugh, 'I kind of liked it better when I didn't think the world is filled with demons, money-hungry demons that are willing to sacrifice human lives in the pursuit of revenue.' Read More Rogan inked a new deal with Spotify in February 2024. The following month, Young announced he was returning to the streamer — but hadn't changed his mind about Rogan's comments. His decision to return was simply because other streaming services also featuring Rogan's podcast. 'I cannot just leave Apple and Amazon, like I did Spotify, because my music would have very little streaming outlet to music lovers at all, so I have returned to Spotify,' Young said in a statement. Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Music Toronto & GTA Columnists
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Supporting the arts
Opinion We all have an intrinsic yearning to creatively express our individualism. For millennia, music and the arts have served as a vehicle to communicate elusive sentiments in ways conventional words are otherwise insufficient. The state of music and arts education programs in our public schools remains precarious, however. For decades, music and arts educators have had to relentlessly advocate for the funding and vitality of their programs. And yet, seemingly little has changed in our post-pandemic school contexts. As a public school music teacher myself, this is an issue particularly dear to my heart. Being introduced to the guitar via my middle-years school music program transformed my life, eventually inspiring me to become a public school educator. It is a tremendous honour and privilege to share the gift of music with Manitoba youth, empowering them with their own creative agencies. It is perhaps axiomatic to state that learning via the arts is of fundamental importance, and yet educators repeatedly need to justify the very existence of such programs. The presence of arts programming in public schools has often materialized via the advocacy of public school teachers, students, and community members. Such tireless efforts are certainly understandable, as learning the arts is of paramount value. Through music and the arts, youth are exposed to diverse intercultural practices and ways of knowing, cultivate empathetic and affective growth, develop foundational creative-thinking skills, and otherwise simply mature as humans. In addition to supporting students' cognitive and affective development, there is an abundance of research outlining the mental health benefits of routinely engaging in the arts via alleviating stress and contributing toward meaning-making. The community-building qualities of school and community choir programs are similarly well-documented, as such interpersonal learning environments are highly conducive to team-work, cameraderie, and cultivating relationships. Despite the myriad benefits provided by arts education, many programs continue to navigate ominous circumstances. Broadly speaking, the United Nations continues to issue disconcerting warnings regarding looming international teacher shortages. Unfortunately, music and arts educational programs are similarly affected. Music teachers were uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as many programs were outright cancelled, while others were displaced as music rooms were co-opted to be repurposed for classroom instruction. As such, many music teachers were deferred to online instruction or travelling carts, while singing and playing wind instruments were strictly prohibited. These abrupt changes led to high rates of teacher burnout and student disengagement. Although pandemic-related conditions may seem a distant memory for many of us keen on moving forward, its impacts still linger as many school programs continue to rebuild and grow following such uncertain circumstances. In addition to these unsettling conditions, many schools across Canada and the United States are navigating budgetary restraints, further threatening the livelihood of integral arts educational programs. Recently, Regina Public Schools announced that many of their school bands will be cut for the 2025-26 school year, consequently assigning band teachers to fulfil other positions. The Toronto District School Board is following suit, as various miscellaneous music and arts programs are similarly being terminated to alleviate financial deficits. Yet another example is in Vancouver, as several school districts within the metropolitan area have confirmed their consideration in cutting local music programs to mitigate escalating costs. We are fortunate to be home to a diverse and vibrant community of arts educators in Manitoba. Many of our youth are able to creatively express themselves through the visual arts, theatre, bands and choirs, school guitar programs, fiddle, bhangra dance, tabla, musical theatre, among a plethora of other exceptional arts-based learning opportunities. Unfortunately, many Manitoba schools struggle to recruit and/or retain qualified arts educators, a conundrum particularly exacerbated in rural communities. Consequently, many programs are inevitably threatened amid these ongoing staffing inadequacies and risk being discontinued. We should cherish what we have established within our province and, for the benefit of our young people, adamantly safeguard its long-term preservation. In sum, we should heed the warnings espoused from educators in our neighbouring provinces and take this proactive opportunity to reflect upon the immense contributions our music and arts educational programs offer our youth. In an era of such uncertainty, our young people should be afforded the transformative learning experiences exclusively provided through music and the arts. Jordan Laidlaw is a public school music teacher, union activist, and PhD candidate in educational administration.
