Creative Retirement Manitoba's 2009

Recipients of the Ageless Heroes Awards are:
Bessie-Marie Hill of Winnipeg for Love of Learning and Ida Shaw of Winnipeg for Bridging the Generations. They were among 12 nominees honoured at the Creative Retirement Manitoba annual fall luncheon.

These awards, sponsored by Manitoba Blue Cross, recognize individuals who have made contributions to their community through their passion for learning and ability to bridge generations.

Love of Learning Nominees

Bessie-Marie Hill, nominated by Frederica Borys, a retired teacher, has used her love of history and passion for travel to enrich the lives of students, tourists and many local citizens. A co-coordinator and host for Elderhostel, “Footprints across the Prairies”, she researched the history, geography and special features of the prairie provinces, taking thirty cross-Canada trips by Via Rail and six trips to Churchill, Manitoba. She volunteered for the Manitoba Society of Seniors, leading numerous tours, with commentaries full of historical facts and intriguing trivia. She has arranged and narrated trips for the Retired Women Teachers Association. Bessie–Marie spends countless hours researching rural destinations for the trips. “She is like a walking Manitoba encyclopedia who makes history come alive.” She arranged speakers for a weekly program at Stony Mountain Justice Group. Topics include Aboriginal issues, social issues, poverty and “Life on the Outside”. As one supporter remarked, Bessie Marie demonstrates the spirit of life long learning.

Jack and Lois Francis, nominated by Sophie Kolt, are both former professional journalists who have chosen to use their expertise to help others in the community. Active participants in the Senior Citizens’ Writers’ Workshop, they helped edit several members’ books. They have also co-edited the Creative Retirement Manitoba magazine section of the quarterly course schedule for many years. Lois has demonstrated her love of learning by achieving a Certificate of Theology at the University of Winnipeg plus upgrading her skills in computers and creative writing at Creative Retirement Manitoba. Jack, besides acting as President of Creative Retirement and also taking courses, has assisted with publications of the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association, and has also edited the newsletter of the Sturgeon Creek Community Centre. To keep active, to keep moving, to keep the grey cells working is their most important goal!

Nyamath Hussain, nominated by Dorothy Orebanjo, has parlayed his own visual impairment and skills learned as a guidance teacher and group facilitator into a valuable role as a tutor and mentor. At Age and Opportunity, where he has worked as a computer instructor since 2002, he has helped scores of older adults demystify the World Wide Web and develop new word processing skills. At the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) he has co-facilitated counselling groups for more than 15 years, aiding clients who are struggling with issues of vision loss in a gentle and supportive manner, generously drawing on his personal experiences to help those who seek his assistance. Through his sincerity, his gentle approach and his compassion for others who are travelling such a difficult path, Nyamath has been an invaluable support to all his clients.

Gordon Kanne, nominated by the Gordon Howard Senior Centre in Selkirk, is a dedicated volunteer at the Centre, Lower Fort Garry, the library and the Selkirk Arts Centre. It is primarily at the Centre that he displays his ability as a natural teacher. Gordon is an award winning wood carver who passes on his own newly learned techniques to the older adults in the wood carving club. His enthusiasm for sharing knowledge extends to the drawing, watercolour and acrylic painting classes which he also teaches. Gordon is a valuable asset to the Senior Centre; a modest talented volunteer who inspires and encourages his fellow students. Gordon derives great pleasure from his passion to teach others along with a thirst for learning new things that is very inspiring.

Gorjana Radulovic, nominated by Lan Doan and Lynne McCarthy, has been a valuable member of Age and Opportunity’s English as an Additional Language (EAL) class for the last six years. Arriving from Yugoslavia to Canada in 2001 she brought her skills as an Environmental Engineer and has shared her knowledge of issues such as water conservation with her class. Gorjana has worked as an interpreter at the Health Sciences Centre Ambassador Program, at the Heritage Centre of the Asper Jewish Community Centre and with the Immigrant Women’s Counselling Services. Gorjana contributes earnestly to the betterment of immigrant women’s issues as well as the difficulties they face adjusting to Canadian life. Gorjana has a passion for continued learning and shares it with others through classes and volunteer work.

Daniel Reagan, nominated by Dodie Johnston, has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to students in northern Manitoba. He first worked as teacher, principal, consultant and superintendent in the Frontier and Flin Flon School Divisions. Retirement did not end his passion to ensure that all northern students, at both the middle and high school levels, have an opportunity for equal and quality education. Because northern schools are small, their course options can be limited but Dan has become a tireless advocate for enhanced programming in remote communities. His efforts have led to inclusion in the curriculum of well-received technical/vocational courses, including cosmetology and power mechanics. Dan’s belief that students need to see education as relevant to their own lives, gives him inspiration to operate with the idea that nothing is impossible. Dan is very active in sharing his Love of Learning with the youth in the communities.

Dr. Isaias Schor, nominated by Lan Doan and Lynne Mc Carthy, has, since his arrival from Argentina, embraced the opportunity to show his love of learning. He attends English as an Additional Language (EAL) class where he is a thoughtful participant and leader in presenting ideas for discussion. While Dr. Schor volunteers for several organizations, his passion is sharing his expertise in the area of diabetes, particularly at Mount Carmel Clinic where he acts in an advisory capacity. He continues to expand his knowledge of this disease by reading, attending conferences and contributing to professional literature. Dr. Schor enjoys international recognition for his work in nutrition and the study of diabetes. He shows remarkable skill in passing on his knowledge to his colleagues and classmates and a real thirst for lifelong learning, while navigating the complexities of English, his second language.

Bridging the Generations Nominees

Ida Shaw, nominated by Nancy Dyck, has been a volunteer at R.B. Russell Vocational High School for the last ten years. She arrives faithfully at the school each Monday and Tuesday (despite, rain, hail, snow or bus delays), assisting in the counsellor’s office, completing paperwork and listening to waiting students “with compassion and kindness”. She attends all Open Houses, concerts and graduations where she welcomes and directs guests. She is also famous for her baking, which she spends hours at home to bring in to treat staff and students. Ida is a powerful role model to the students because of her consistent dedication. Ida Shaw walks into a room and changes her environment and lifts the hearts of all who come into contact with her, with a smile and a gift from the heart. Ida is a person committed to activities which reach out and earn the admiration of younger persons.

Doug Andrew, nominated by the Rossburn Community Resource Council, has devoted unlimited time and energy to the various projects in his community. Through his involvement in the agricultural 4-H club, the promotion of school building and development of the local museum, Mr. Andrew has inspired and furthered the education of the youth of the area. He has gathered artifacts and historic treasures maintain the collection of the museum. He has been very successful in obtaining grants to hire students to work with him. Mr. Andrew remains the president of the museum after twenty-one years and still finds time to assist in beautifying the local park and serve as Vice Chair of the Rossburn Senior Drop-In Centre. He is an inspiring and much admired volunteer in his community.

Jean Smith, nominated by Kimorie Lees, comes with the heartfelt support of three Grade 6 students, Mari, Morgan and Kyla, who describe her “as the nicest person in the whole wide world” and like a grandma to them. Jean worked with the girls as part of the Oak Lake Community School knitting club, also known as “Jean’s Purls”. The club has been meeting during one noon hour every week for two years, bringing together Grade 3-8 students and staff and offering them a chance to learn the art of knitting. Through Jean’s mentorship, the club has also provided a safe place to talk, help one another and share events in each other’s lives. One of the knitting club projects, knitting squares will be sewn into a blanket and donated to the local seniors’ home. A retired teacher herself, Jean has been Bridging the Generations through many other involvements.

Murray Rougeau, nominated by Diane Trudering, is a retired firefighter who has been a dedicated volunteer in Transcona for many years. He was a founding member of the Transcona Optimist club, a past president of the Maple Leaf community club and an executive of the Oxford Heights baseball association. Currently Murray chairs the Transcona Parks Renewal Committee and is safety coordinator for the Transcona Hi-Neighbour Festival. Murray’s most visible role is that of Mr. Graffiti who spends countless hours cleaning up the graffiti that stains his neighbourhood. When four youths were recently arrested for more than 400 incidents of graffiti tagging, Murray intervened. The Winnipeg Police Service agreed not to charge the four, but to have them work with Murray to remove the graffiti. Along with their mentor, the youth logged 450 hours of labour cleaning the properties they defaced. It is through the mentorship of Murray, working with the four youth who learned that community involvement can have a strongly positive aspect.