September – The season of bounty north of the 49th


Marvelous memories


I


t’s a fact of ageing that there have been a surfeit of ser- vices and celebrations in my life lately. I want to write a few words about some of the people that we lost


recently, to celebrate them and the marvelous memories that we have of times together.


Jim Pappas


One of these individuals was a very dear friend for many years. She emigrated to Canada from Scotland at a very young age. She was a dazzlingly good cook and loved to entertain in her el- egant home. She could be irascible, fun-loving, infuriat- ing. feisty and adorable all at the same time. Proud of her Scottish roots she instilled that pride in her children and waved a banner for Scotland her whole life. She had a lusty laugh and a most kind way of helping others. She was a complex person and so fasci-


Autumn brings a bounty of fresh vegetables. Helen Harper


M


uch of my writing is tied to the land. I have a long history of farmers in my DNA dating back to the beginning of Manitoba


and homesteaders. Men and women who worked the land and traveled by ox cart. Living in sod hous- es before the stone and wood ones were built. A chair propped at the door, loaded rifle by the bed to keep unwanted elements out of their homes. Our growing season is much shorter than that of our southern neighbours. We have intense weather from heat to hail all the while, with our hands in the soil, hoping for a bountiful harvest. Whether this be golden wheat waving across the prairie landscape or the ripening tomatoes in pots on my balcony, we of the land, hold our breath until it’s “in the bin”. The smells of fall tell of leaves falling from trees


and decaying making the soil rich for the next year. Combines coughing out chaff as the grain tumbles into the hopper. Long hours for the people who put


nating in every way that you couldn’t help but be drawn to her. So many marvelous memories come to mind of time shared. Two other men that I met at university are also in this


food on our tables. They chase the weather, sun up to sun down, often working long after dark. With massive lights on their machines, they slowly creep across the land until the dew descends, then grab a quick shut eye before starting all over again. As a city girl who is used to fighting traffic, run- ning for the bus or grabbing a bite of food in the drive through lane, sitting in a combine going three miles an hour for acre after acre is surreal and a bit unsettling. It’s like slamming on your brakes and your whole being coming to an abrupt halt. The pa- tience and perseverance these harvesters have is truly mind boggling. Not only do they harvest grain but there are the


apples and corn along with vegetables. And a re- minder to us all, chicken and steak does not come from the farms on that Styrofoam plate wrapped in plastic. This time of year I’m reminded of Murray McLauchlan’s Farmer Song - “Thanks for the meal, here’s a song that is real, from the kid from the city to you.”


group of memories. Both very different and both influen- tial in my world. I enjoyed so many moments with them over my university life and beyond. Both were very tal- ented but in different ways. One was very scholastic and a creative writer and lecturer. But also very refined; he could be quite proper until he let his guard down and then was uproariously funny with his observations on humanity. Sometimes his trenchant comments were laugh-out-loud clever. But for most people there was always that public profile. The other friend was an equally talented guy but with music and photography. He recorded so many moments of our lives, and the photos have stood the test of time. He always had his banjo, and in the spirit of the times he brought it to our gatherings; we would break out into songs by the Kingston Trio or Peter Paul and Mary. He loved to sing, and when he was in attendance he shared that joy with all of us. Both were vivid and contributory members of my circle of friends.


Lifestyles congratulates the Winnipeg Goldeyes for winning the 2017 American Association Championship!


Goldeyes 50 50 volunteers Tom Dercola


I


t seems fitting as Autumn is upon us that we bid farewell to the Boys of Summer for an- other year. ‘Our’ Boys of Summer, The Win-


nipeg Goldeyes captured the American Association Championship for the second year in a row. (It wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that the CJNU has been “The Official Radio Station of the Winnipeg Goldeyes” for the past two years?) I want to thank all of you who came out and did


the four regular 50 50 nights. Those nights were not very pleasant…cold, rainy, windy but you showed up and you walked, crouched and climbed. Bonnie, who runs the 50 50 says we are the most dedicated and enthusiastic of the groups who sell 50 50. Andrew Collier, the GM of the Goldeyes, reached out to me last week and offered CJNU two 50 50


October 2017


nights during the playoff run. Once again, a small army of CJNU volunteers showed up. This time the weather co-operated. The first night we sold $5700 (of which CJNU receives 25%). On Wednesday night, the final game of the season and The Cham- pionship Game, our little band sold an astonishing $16, 800 (the previous record by any group was $13, 200). It was truly an electrifying experience with the Goldeyes winning 18-2. Thank you all again for your bad knees, sore feet and interrupted vacations. Tom Dercola is president of CJNU.


1. F 2. D 3. C


Answers CJNU Music Trivia 7. A


4. B 5. 6. E


One of the sweetest memories I have is of a younger brother of a friend. He was always that gruff, masculine, “old-boy” type. That’s what his public persona was most of his life. Several years ago we attended a family event and as it happened we were seated together. For a change we were virtually alone talking just the two of us and it was revelatory. Slowly but surely I extracted from him more of his real self and it was one riddled with protection of his innermost feelings. This was a dichotomy, as he was noth- ing like what he portrayed but so kind and sweet and sen- sitive and caring. I urged him to try and disclose this to his family but he said they would not believe it of him. I will always have a marvelous memory of the real person inside. At this same period Barbra and I have two memories of


two valiant women in our lives, both of whom lived well into their 90s. These were Barbra’s two aunts. They both outlived all the males in the family. They were smart and loving and survivors from the early days on the farm and then living through the Depression and Second World War. They both raised their families and took others un- der their wings to nurture them. These women were heroes in a significant way, as they worked at home and at jobs and were very traditional as wives. This never dulled their interest in life or the joy of travel and learning. Their warmth and humility was always respected by us all. Last but not least was the daughter of one of our dearest friends. She was challenged developmentally from birth but had such a sweet soul. She always affectionately re- ferred to me as “Big Jim”, which I loved. Many the con- cert and activity we attended together and her delight was noticeable. When “Big Jim” came from her, it came from a special place within her and I loved when she said the name. I remember too she had a fondness for Winnie the Pooh so Barbra made her a caftan and embroidered Win- nie on the back for her enjoyment. Such simple love is not rewarded for a lot of people in life and I was the recipient of that love and I will treasure it always in my memory. So although there has been a lot of sadness lately, my memory bank is filled to overflowing with wonderful thoughts of those who affected my life. I shall never forget them


James Pappas is a member of the CJNU board. www.lifestyles55.net 13


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