:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tronc/VRDREQFEGZHK7G7TIED5EIGJD4.JPG "The heated rhetoric over the migrant standoff in midtown Manhattan obscured a stark reality")
KILLARNEY
Though it has cost him thousands of dollars to open his home to Ukrainian families fleeing their war-torn country, Rick Pauls says he has been paid back beyond measure.
“It has been really rewarding,” he said. “It’s a home for them, and it’s incredible for me. These people are so grateful, and it’s like I have known them all my life … it’s just wonderful.”
Families from Ukraine gathered together recently at Rick Pauls’ lakeside home. From left, rear: Tetiana Lushtaienko, Lesia Kyryliuk and son Andril; Daniel Yelisieiev, Artem Bardakov, Peter Vitovych and Krill Balaban. Middle row: Diana Kryryliuk, Veronika Yelisieieva and Liana Misinova. Front row: Mykyta Lushtaienko, Rick Pauls, Miliena Misinova, Sofilia Vitovych, mother Julia Vitovych and Mila Balaban. (The Guide)
He is involved with the Canada-Ukrainian and Ukrainian-Manitoba host programs.
Pauls lives in a large six-bedroom home on Young Street in Killarney, which means he has free space for several displaced Ukrainians, mostly mothers and children, to land safely after the trauma of leaving their homes, lives and loved ones behind.
For the Ukrainian families already here, a sense of wonderful cultural connection has been developing, he added.
“They are creating their own little Ukrainian community here. People come in to donate food, furniture, all kinds of things at my house, and then they come in for coffee too, to meet the Ukrainians. At Christmas we had a Ukrainian Christmas get-together, with loads of amazing food. Someone gave them a load of great clothes, and they brought them here to go through them. You would have thought they won the lottery.”
Pauls said most families seeking refuge here in Canada do not consider themselves refugees.
“They hate the term ‘refugee,’” he said. “They prefer ‘Ukrainians displaced by war with Russia.’”
The Ukrainians Pauls has encountered have left behind or lost their houses, vehicles and careers, and are middle-class working people.
The newest arrivals, a “blended” family, are expected to arrive in February, Pauls said.
“It’s a group of five people: a family of four — husband, wife and two children — plus a single lady, who is travelling with them because she didn’t want to travel alone.”
Some families have since moved into their own accommodation in Killarney, while others have moved to different communities for work reasons, and a number remain at Pauls’ residence. This includes Tetiana Lushtaienko and her son Mykyta, who landed safely in Killarney last April.
Tetiana has worked at the Blarney Stone Marketplace, but she has also proved invaluable as a translator for Pauls, both at home with his newly arrived families and in his communications online with those seeking a host home.
Overall, Pauls said, his goal is to simply help as many people as he can.
“I’m just kind of the ringleader here. If something like this happened to my family, I would be so grateful.”
Rob MacTavish’s free library at 100 Oakden Dr. in Killarney. (The Guide)
» The Guide
Made with care from scraps of wood and other materials, a second small, well-stocked neighbourhood library has popped up in the Killarney area.
Creator of the Little Lakeside Library, located at 100 Oakden Dr., Rob MacTavish said it gives him great pleasure to see people coming and going from the tiny book depository.
“I put it up at the end of September, and … I filled it with around 20 books,” said MacTavish. “It never gets empty. People have been very good at taking books and donating books.”
The idea of offering free books to passersby has been gaining momentum across Canada over the last few years, he said. Known as “free libraries,” or “neighbourhood book exchanges,” the invitation to pause in the fresh air, select an unexpected tome, and pop it in your coat pocket, has proved to be a popular roadside attraction.
“We’ve seen these libraries in other places, and they are a joy to visit,” said MacTavish. “I saw one here, on my way to the golf course this last summer, on the curve as you swing around north towards the Killarney Lakeside Golf Course. I picked up a book there, and later on I went back, and put a book in.”
MacTavish is an avid reader and said he is happy to share his pleasure of books with all who walk by his home.
“People don’t have to bring a book,” he said. “Just help yourself and take something out that appeals. I’m pleased when people take a book and enjoy it.”
» The Guide
MINNEDOSA
Kevin and Aimee Hatcher of Brandon, along with their children Ruby and Jillian, have people from all over the world, including Minnedosa, stepping up to remember their son and raise money for deserving charities and build a community of togetherness.
At the age of 12 years old, their child Luke had an accident while playing in the family basement. Each year since, they have tried to do something to remember him. The Hatchers decided to invite everyone to “Hide a Hot Wheels” in honour of Luke on Dec. 18.
The Hatcher family has encouraged folks to hide Hot Wheels cars in honour of Luke Hatcher, who died three years ago. (File)
To participate in the event, the family asked people to grab a Hot Wheels car, attach a little card to it that says: “Enjoy this car in memory of Luke,” and hide it wherever they wanted on Dec. 18.
“I think the biggest motivator for us, as parents of loss, has been to ensure that Luke is remembered. He was a courageous and kind kiddo who loved to help.”
With more than 1,400 members on their social media page, people from as far as Orlando, Fla., have sent pictures of themselves finding the hidden Hot Wheels.
“As parents, it is pretty mind blowing to see the amount of people participating,” Aimee Hatcher said. “We never expected this idea to capture the imaginations of so many people. We have always been in awe of the amount of support we have received from family, friends, and our community. We didn’t realize how many people beyond our community and circle of friends and family have been affected by Luke’s story. By his life and his gifts of organ donation.”
Several people from the Minnedosa area also took notice of the event and jumped in feet first to participate in this wonderful tribute. Don and Holly Morrison of Minnedosa said their involvement in Hot Wheels for Luke has been inspirational.
“We first became acquainted when this event page became a following and a group to join on social media in late November,” Holly Morrison said. “With my husband [Don] being the president of the local car club in Minnedosa, naturally Luke’s story and the group’s formation piqued an interest for us.”
The Morrisons hid two Hot Wheels, a motorcycle and 1940 Ford Coupe. Both vehicles started their journey after being strategically placed in Kelwoo — one at the 37 Restaurant and the other at The Barn Restaurant. The motorcycle initially did not travel far, just up the street in Kelwood, but landed with a small boy who played with it every day.
The coupe, on the other hand, hitched a ride with a long-distance truck driver who was heading to Fort McMurray, Alta., where it was given to his grandson.
“Both Don and I were so inspired by Luke’s family, the sharing, the honouring, the ability to start with a small concept and make it grow in leaps and bounds. Luke’s story will always resonate with us, and we sincerely believe that Luke’s name was certainly a household one in many homes during this heartfelt campaign,” Holly Morrison said.
Seeing the continuous outpouring of well-meaning participants has been very meaningful to the family, who is spreading the message about the importance of organ donation.
“We would … encourage everyone to have frank and open conversations with their families about organ donation and their wishes, even with their children. It was never a conversation Kevin and I thought to have with our children before Luke’s accident, but now we are all registered donors,” Hatcher said.
To learn more about organ donation in Manitoba, visit signupforlife.ca.
A pine grosbeak perches in a tree. (File)
» Minnedosa Tribune
Buzz Crowston has participated in the annual Riding Mountain Christmas Bird Count without fail for 33 consecutive years.
“Being out in the forest surrounded by nature is absolutely my happy place.”
Each bird count area is a 22.5-kilometre circle that stays the same from year to year. Each participant is assigned a specific territory, which in Crowston’s case has always been Whirlpool Lake and out toward Cowan Lake.
The volunteer birders use whatever form of transportation that is efficient for their area — some trudging along on foot, some on snowshoes or cross country skis and some from the relative warmth of their vehicle. People can even count the birds coming and going from their feeders from the warmth of their homes.
Participants track the number and species of birds, which is then inputed into a shared data system.
“Most years I see five or six, or seven different species, with my very best year being 11 species,” Crowston said.
During the winter, Crowston travels with his birdwatcher sister to destinations like Chile and Argentina, where it is spring.
» Minnedosa Tribune
