Gifting children with nature I


feel very lucky to have been a child who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a time when children got to play outside until the streetlights came on, and that is exactly what we did. Our activities included interacting with other kids in the neighbourhood play- ing hide and seek, skipping double Dutch in the street and riding our bikes, and of course the boys were al- ways playing street hockey. Video games were basi- cally unheard of yet but a good board game was always welcome on rainy days. I don't have children of my own but I am blessed to be an aunt to five great kids. What saddens me is to see what they are faced with today


Sherrie Versluis Feathered Friends


for entertainment.


Interaction with handheld devices, computers and video games seems to prevail over neighbourhood play dates. In my store, I see kids come in with their parents and


there are two types. The ones who dawdle behind, their heads down looking at their phone or other device. The others are the kids who run into the store declaring what birdseed they’re looking for and eager to share with us what birds are visiting their birdfeeders. Some of these kids even spend their own allowances on wild bird prod- ucts, a sight I find awesome. Introducing kids to nature at a young age is a great way to encourage them to be more aware of nature and to take an interest in it. Having them fill birdfeeders in the backyard and participate in birding as a hobby – by identifying birds and even keeping a journal – is a great way to get them inspired about the natural world. This Christmas season why not consider giving the


children in your family the gift of nature? Here are some great ideas to get them started.


Window feeders Window feeders come in many different styles and


easily suction-cup onto any window. Children of all ages enjoy these feeders, and seeing the birds up close like that gives the kids a great chance to learn to identify them. Window feeders also help keep birds from collid- ing with the windows. You can expect to see chickadees, nuthatches, finches, woodpeckers and blue jays at your feeder, depending on its size. Kits


In turn, having children participate in making a bird-


Homemade bird feeders can be easy to make and can be great fun for kids.


feeder or birdhouse is an excellent way to keep them interested in watching and maintaining it. A youngster will take huge satisfaction in creating something the wild birds enjoy. Birdfeeder kits are an excellent choice as the feeders attract a great variety of birds and can be used year-round. Birdhouses are fun, offering kids the thrill of watching the parents bring food to their chirping babies and seeing the young emerge from their quarters. Children are far more likely to remain interested in a hobby when it is their own. Having them make the feeders or set out a pre-made one allows the child to take ownership of it and thus be a participant at the dinner. Crafts for the birds


Kids love helping in the kitchen, and have lots of


fun making food creations for wild birds during winter months. One idea is to gather pine cones or buy natural ones from craft stores. Make a mixture of half peanut


has become much easier to access bal- lots. In Federal elections, members of the Armed Forces can vote by mail or at


Treating our armed forces better I


By Fred Morris


n 1982, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenched the voting rights of Canadians. It


a polling station in their unit. The SOR form is used to determine their riding. When a person in the Armed Forces is transferred to Winnipeg, he or she can- not vote in provincial or city elections for the first six months. There is an in- centive for candidates to ignore canvass- ing on bases because very few residents actually have the right to vote.


Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays


Scott Fielding MLA for Kirkfield Park scott@scottfielding.ca


Birchwood Terrace


in St. James


204-837-6911 2440 Portage Ave. birchwoodterrace@ladcocompany.com


14 www.lifestyles55.net


butter and half cornmeal. Smear the mixture over the pinecone, then roll this into unsalted, crushed peanuts, shelled sunflower or black-oil sunflower. Please note that the peanut butter should be all-natural with no preserva- tives. You can even go to a local health store and grind your own peanuts to make the butter! The price is reasonable and kids get a kick out of doing this. Hang the pine- cone concoctions in the tree with a colourful ribbon and watch the birds enjoy! These are just some ideas to inspire the young ones in your family to put themselves in nature’s hands. The whole family will benefit! Merry Christmas and happy birding from The Pre-


ferred Perch and this paper! Sherrie Versluis owns The Preferred Perch on St. Mary’s Road in St. Vital. You can reach her at 204-257-3724.


Is there really any good reason to tem- porarily deny any Canadian who moves from one province to another the right to vote?? A person who relocates to To- ronto immediately becomes eligible to vote in civic elections. Every Canadian should be able to express their opinion at the ballot box at every level of govern- ment.


The Armed Forces put themselves in harm’s way to protect our democracy. They should have the right to vote in ev- ery election at every level. The six month residency restriction for voting rights is clearly unconstitutional. Fred Morris describes himself as a politi- cal activist and sometime political candi- date.


Merry Christmas!


204-944-1049 3723 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3K 2A8


1 & 2 Bedroom apartments include: • Heat & water


• Central air conditioning • Walk-in closets • Fridge & stove • Draperies throughout • Mail delivery to each door • Elevators • Balconies


• On site laundry


LAKEWOOD AGENCIES LIMITED 204-982-5959


December 2017


• Bus service at door • 1 parking stall included • Seasonal pool • Underground parking • Conveniently located close to bus & shopping • On-site management • Pet-friendly (small dogs & cats)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20