Love of Learning Nominees
Alcoa Peer Speakers Bureau
Co-ordinator Amanda Younka nominated this exceptional group of volunteer seniors who, over a period of three years, have given dozens of presentations for senior community groups on the topic of Active Living. They are inspiring, energetic and dedicated leaders who are conscious of the issues of aging and who consistently share their message of healthy active aging to all. They are: Margaret Barbour, Fred Chernoff, Ed Demkiw, Vi Hilton, Surindar and Santosh Sood and Anne Skuba
John Buchanan
Nominated by Kenneth Green, John Buchanan, a native of Glasgow, Scotland came to Canada in 1956. In his fifties John graduated with a Masters in Social Work for which he received the University Gold Medal. His thesis Elders and Life Satisfaction explored the lives of seniors to determine how they felt about life and the concept of Lifelong Learning. John has been a mentor to many individuals through photography and Creative Retirement’s computer interest groups. John is a superb teacher and has infinite patience with those willing to learn. He is a great role model to seniors, both mentally and physically and with all his knowledge, experience and intelligence, he is very modest. He claims he always learns something when he listens to others and “if it isn’t fun, better left undone”. In his spare time he has been a member of the Venerable Bards Theatrical Group and co-hosts a radio program for seniors at the U of W’s “Older and Wiser”. John truly believes in the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Marcel Pelletier
Nominated by his Creative Retirement students, Marcel has won the respect and admiration of those students and many more through the eighteen years he has voluntarily taught oral French. He is a volunteer of energy and creativity whose enthusiasm was so infectious that his students were irresistibly caught up in it and encouraged to share Marcel’s gifts is that he encourages people to find the joy of learning something new every day.” Marcel was, as well, an early supporter of the CRM ‘Seniors in the Schools’ program and gave his considerable support to the proposal for funding for the program through Winnipeg School Division #1. That program continues to flourish today as “Students And Seniors Together’’. Marcel’s dedication to the love of learning was and is phenomenal.
Leo Reidke
Leo was nominated by the Good Neighbour’s Senior Centre for his contagious love of learning. He has used his skills to teach and inspire others; his interests range from photography to computers to music to gardening. He meshed his new found computer skills with his professional photography background to produce a power point presentation of volunteer activities of the Senior Centre. He learned and worked along with others at the award winning Millennium Gardens and encouraged others to join him in a harmonica band. This is a man who rejoices in trying new things and is unafraid of failure.
Bridging the Generations Nominees
Joan Bailey
Joan has been a volunteer at David Livingstone School for only a few months but her creativity, her sensitivity to shy or reluctant children and her enthusiasm inspired the teachers with whom she worked to nominate her for the Bridging the Generations award. Her passion for learning and for helping the children to reach higher limits is exceptional. Joan added a whole new dimension to the Language Arts program for the Grade 3, 4 and 5 Inner City students of the school.
John Boittiaux
Nominated by Ecole Robert H. Smith School where he has volunteered for many years with the Grade 3 French Immersion students, “Monsieur Jean” is a favourite of teachers and children alike. He takes time to listen to the children and shares his love of history and the railroad. Mr. Boittiaux is the perfect agent to bridge the age gap between the young and the young at heart. A long time friend of Creative Retirement, John was referred to the school through the Seniors in the Schools program.
Margaret Cracknell
Margaret has been a volunteer with the Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital since January, 1990. She is described as an amazing volunteer, helping many children in the children’s Pre-operating Room waiting area, offering friendly and caring support to the children by drawing, talking, and playing with them. Her volunteer work has extended to the schools where she has again applied her artistic skills to the learning environment of the children. In addition, Margaret has volunteered with the Lower Fort Garry’s children’s program, showing visiting youngsters what pioneer times were like by having them take part in the activities of the Fort as they were in an historic era…….a great way to learn our social studies. Margaret is an extraordinary volunteer.
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Bridging the Generations Nominees (cont.)
W. Roy Finnen
Roy Finnen has been reaching out to children and young people in the community and his church for many years. His mentoring/teaching has included guidance and assistance in the setting up of a computerized accounting system for a small non-profit Seniors agency. A teen from a refugee family learned yard and home maintenance for seniors as Roy supervised and guided him through the Urban Green Team initiative. He has mentored students from Mozambique who were trying to gain English language skills so they could attend the University of Manitoba. Roy’s skilfulness at volunteering and “sharing his sense of wonder with children” has earned him many kudos at Fort Whyte Centre while passing on his knowledge and appreciation of nature to school children. Roy’s cross-cultural volunteer work builds community and human spirit and exemplifies the spirit of our multicultural province and its claim to be “Friendly Manitoba”.
Lucien Loh
Lucien Loh has overcome many obstacles to reach his retirement from a career as a public school teacher. He lived through a number of regimes in China’s turbulent history during which time he also learned to speak French. After arriving in Canada in 1967, he learned English and earned an education degree. He was one of the first to mentor young Manitobans in the discipline of Tai Chi. Mr. Loh is a member of Francs-Parleers Toastmasters and his mastery of French and English has inspired many younger members to join. He has been the Keynote Speaker at a Citizenship Ceremony for new Canadians held on Canada Day. Mr. Loh is a role model to ESL (English as a Second Language) students from abroad and serves as an example of leadership and courage for them as they start new lives in our country. Mr. Loh continues to encourage young and old alike to never stop learning and growing by sharing his knowledge and experiences of Tai Chi and public speaking with them.
Joyce MacDonnell
Joyce has been involved as a volunteer with the Parent Partner Program at the Warren Elementary School for nine years. Her experience as a former teacher reinforced the reading strategy taught in the classroom. Her greatest strength is that “she makes reading fun for the students and makes them feel good about themselves.” The students love to be with her and the administrative staff value her skills, experience, and dedication. Her love of reading and of working with students has benefited the school and most importantly the students.
Jo Millard
Imagination, creativity, and commitment in optimizing the learning environment for the children at Earl Grey Elementary School are Jo Millard’s volunteer contribution to bridging the generations program. Her wealth of knowledge and experience in public schools fosters a love of learning through reading. She created and made story sacks which the children were in turn, able to take home to share with their families. Each sack contained several books and activities, which promoted learning across different curriculum areas. To further capture children’s interests and motivation to learn, Jo captivated the children with stories of adventure and fantasy. Jo also is active in her church and is an enthusiastic member of Creative Retirement, serving on the Board and committees.
Betty Rudd
A resident of Snow Lake, MB, Betty was nominated by Janice Becking of the Snow Lake Hospital Auxiliary of which Betty is the current President. Betty has been a resident of the community for 20 years and has been active in many organizations, but it has been her work with young people that prompted her nomination for this award. Through her work with skating clubs, her encouragement of youth to volunteer at the Auxiliary’s second hand shop and at the local Museum, and her support of the Youth Justice Committee of the RCMP, Betty has earned the respect of the community, both young and old.
Myrtle Wiancko
Myrtle Wiancko is a well respected, retired teacher. Her volunteerism with the Canadian Cancer Society has included chairing their Public Education Committee locally and nationally. She has served on many other councils and committees and has been the recipient of some of their recognition awards. Her concerns for youth led her to use her expertise in developing the “Tobacco Reduction Strategy” on the National Public Issues Committee. Myrtle was instrumental in the Canadian Cancer Society’s involvement with the Manitoba School’s Science Symposiums, and the “Researchers of Tomorrow” program to encourage youth to use their inquisitiveness and creative minds to find a cure for cancer. Family is important and Myrtle revels in her strong connection with the young folk. In spite of personal health issues, Myrtle continues to give, give, give. |
