Harlem Globetrotters: still entertainment’s basket case


Rod Brown


orty years ago, the best in sports entertainment did not mean WWE wrestling or any other alphabet “rasslin” organizations. Those dubious athletic contests were still arguing ‘FAKE or NOT FAKE’. As for the other games in Montreal, hockey was not enter- tainment – it was a life and death struggle of epic propor- tions settled with blood, toil, sweat and tears, to para- phrase Mr. Churchill – especially if the Maple Leafs were involved. Football, soccer, tennis and golf did not rise to the level of entertainment or war – amusing perhaps, dis- tracting certainly, but they did not put an ear-to-ear grin on the faces of both children and seniors and everyone in between. When the strains of Sweet Georgia Brown filled the au- ditoriums from coast to coast throughout America and Canada and eventually the world, Brother Bones whistled his way into history, as his song never sounded so pure, so joyous, so mischievous as when it heralded the entrance


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of the Harlem Globetrotters. Night after night, these bas- ketball wizards dazzled audiences with skills which can only be described as magical. The “oohing and aahing” of thousands are unique sounds which define “sports en- tertainment”. The Globetrotters began in 1927 under the direction of a skilled promoter named Abe Saperstein, who rec- ognized a business opportunity with these young black athletes. There was no professional basketball (NBA) but interest across the continent was growing in small towns and school gyms. In the beginning, the team was called The Globetrot- ters until Saperstein added Harlem, which was a New York enclave viewed as the heart of African-American culture. Curiously, the team didn’t play there until 1968 – so much for truth in advertising. Throughout the decades, they moved from serious bas-


ketball (in 1940 they won the World Professional Bas- ketball Tournament) to the clown princes of “spin and dunk”. There were many players of note: Wilt Chamber- lain of 100 points in a single game comes to mind, along with Connie Hawkins and Nat Clifton. In 1950, the NBA


Don some golden gloves, and make someone happy, like Blanche used to do


I


n my elementary years I attended Laura Secord School on Wolseley Avenue. In grade six I had a classroom teacher called Blanche Coxworth. She


was an amazing teacher, very commit- ted to her students and giving them as much passion as she possessed. One thing she taught us has stayed with me all my life. Every day before we began the school day we all had to put on our “golden gloves”, to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Such a simple concept, yet it seems to have eluded many peo- ple in our world today. When Barbra and I married, we established that our marriage would be a participatory relationship where there were no gender-assigned tasks or responsibilities. She has always had a bent for fixing things and loves her power tools and gadgets; I am content being in the kitchen preparing meals and making home life easier, and always took my fair share of the work- load with our children. As I watch our son and his wife, I see echoes of this in their family life, too. Recent developments in the transit system had me thinking about the kindness of people like bus drivers, whom we may sometimes seem to take for granted. The students of Luxton school did a wonderful thing in publicly showing their appreciation of the transit drivers recently, with letters and notes and coffee for them. So many people who work in service are taken for granted by the general public. We need to be aware of the many opportunities we have to say thanks and show we value people.


I began my career in the display department at Ea- ton’s back in the late sixties, and realized there were hundreds of people who made my job easier, for exam- ple the construction people, the electricians, painters and cleaning crew. I got to know them by name and


treated them with simple courtesy. They responded by paying me the same courtesy when we worked togeth- er, always doing jobs well and efficiently.


Try to remember that person at the grocery store who checks you out when you leave. Begin with a polite hello. The fact you have done so will no doubt brighten their day. Remember that we all love to be con- nected in this world. There are so many small gestures that mean a great deal to people. We have friends who are alone in this world, and over the many years of our marriage we have never left them out of our lives. We try to keep in touch and to find things that we can include them in.


Jim Pappas


One of them told me recently that af- ter her husband’s death we were the only couple that kept including her in our so- cial life. I felt badly as she is as charming


and fun-loving as she was when she had a partner. We can make a difference in people's lives if we make the effort to see them as the individuals that they have al- ways been, and thereby make them feel comfortable. Barbra often comments that I can find any excuse to bring home some very small treat to her, that I know when to do something that will bring her pleasure. We try to keep kindness at the centre of our relationship and to never take one another for granted. There are people who recognize one's kindnesses and try to reciprocate and others that take them for granted. I don’t discriminate between these different people, but rather hope that one day everyone will put on their “golden gloves” and learn to treat others with dignity and kindness. When I do something kind to another person, I can still see Mrs, Coxworth at the front of my grade six class putting on her gloves as we begin the day Jim Pappas is a member of the CJNU board.


admitted African Americans into their ranks, thus push- ing the Globetrotters firmly into the entertainment field along with their nightly foil, the Washington Generals. As a kid, it was Meadowlark Lemon I remember. He had everything – skill, stage presence, and he laughed all the time. He seemed to love what he did and the audi- ence returned that feeling. The referees (a much maligned group) were confused and “duped” night after night much to our delight. A foul shot was never simple as rub- ber bands and a disappearing ball came into play. Water buckets threatened the audience and Curley Neil rede- fined the art of dribbling. Over the years, the Globetrotters have evolved. In 1985


their first female member, Lynette Woodward, joined the team. Players have come and gone but one thing has re- mained – the Harlem Globetrotters are the epitome of sports entertainment. And provide a night to remember. So if you can, go, laugh until it hurts and join millions with whom you will have a shared experience. The Harlem Globetrotters make a return to Winnipeg on April 23; listen to CJNU to win pairs of tickets.


-Rod Brown Will Power!


Having a valid, up-to-date will, health care Di- rective and power of attorney ensures that your wishes will be met after your death. It also pro- vides a great opportunity to make a charitable gift to a cause that's important to you. Will Week is a series of free public presentations


on the importance of Wills and estate planning. Sessions are presented, by professionals on a vol- unteer basis, as a public service and are for infor- mation purposes only.


Will Week 2017 PERFORM A Monday, April 24


1pm-3pm ACCESS Fort Garry, 135 Plaza Drive 1pm-3pm


Tuesday, April 25


1pm-3pm ACCESS Transcona, 845 Regent Avenue West (very limited seating)


1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm


Millennium Library, 251 Donald Street, Buchwald Theatre Lindenwoods Community Centre, 414 Lindenwood Drive


7pm-9pm Gwen Secter, 1588 Main Street 7pm-9pm Bronx Park Community Centre,


Wednesday, April 26


1pm-3pm Sturgeon Heights Community Centre, 210 Rita Street 7pm-9pm First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Crescent


6:30-8:30pm ACCESS Transcona, 845 Regent Avenue West (very limited seating)


Thursday, April 27


1pm-3pm Reh-Fit Fitness Centre, 1390 Taylor Avenue Seminar Room D (very limited seating)


1pm-3pm Seven Oaks General Hospital, Wellness Institute 1075 Leila Avenue, Room 4 (very limited seating)


Our 2016 AGM will be held at the Sturgeon Heights Community Centre, 210 Rita Street, (Rita is located one block west of the Shell Station at 2501 Portage Avenue).


Annual General Meeting Tuesday, April 25 at 7 P.M.


April 2017


The formal meeting will be followed by complimentary refreshments and social time.


www.lifestyles55.net 13


7pm-9pm Corydon Community Centre - River Heights Site, 1370 Grosvenor Avenue


Dependants with Disabilities *For family with loved ones with disabilities


Friday, April 28


Noon-2pm BDC Building, 155 Carlton Street, Lower Level, Meeting Room B


Noon-2pm Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, 174 Market Avenue For more information visit winnipegwill.com


720 Henderson Highway - Creative Arts Room


19h-21h Centre de services bilingues,100 – 170 Goulet Street (places très limitées)


*Ce séminaire est en français seulement Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre, 26 Molgat Avenue


7pm-9pm Seven Oaks General Hospital, Wellness Institute 1075 Leila Avenue, Room 4 (very limited seating)


NOT-SO-RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS.


Make sure your wishes for the future of your family and your community are met. Attend a free estate planning seminar delivered by a local lawyer and learn about how to create a Will, update your existing Will and how you can easily make a charitable gift within your Will. Health Care Directives and Power of Attorney will also be covered. Seminars are free on a first come, first served basis. Seating is limited. Please register in advance by calling (204) 948-3394 in Winnipeg or by emailing pgt@gov.mb.ca


Circle the Date!


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