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Winnipeg Free Press
15 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
West Broadway ‘gut punch'
A thief beat the rush, breaking into a West Broadway fashion boutique before opening day. The Winnipeg neighbourhood is one of several lacking support while other areas see increased security measures, the local business improvement zone asserted. '(It's) a gut punch,' said shop owner Lennard Taylor. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Local designer Lennard Taylor outside his new business address Friday. The location was broken into this week, but Taylor hopes to spin the event into something positive. He's been in the process of moving his eponymous shop, Lennard Taylor Design Studio, to a storefront at 67 Sherbrook St. from an Exchange District space. On Tuesday, the entrepreneur spent 14 hours transferring his sculptures and artwork. He kept his phone silent for a solid night's rest, Taylor said — and read an alarm notification upon waking. Around 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, somebody stole his business computer, cash box, iPad and other machines. He estimates roughly $10,000 worth of goods was taken. 'It hurts a lot because I'm just going on a brand new move, my money's really tight right now,' Taylor said Friday. He recalled going through the motions — feeling violated, embarrassed, taken advantage of. He meditated. Ultimately, the entrepreneur settled on aiming for positivity. He's created a raffle for charity and plans to lean into community events on his shop's front lawn. 'It dawned on me that it's not about me,' Taylor said. 'It's about the community as a whole and caring for our society and what (we're) doing as a society to influence our world.' Break-ins are common enough in the neighbourhood to warrant a West Broadway BIZ grant for security measures. Mike Williams used it to purchase shutters for Korner Stop, his convenience store. 'The best investment I ever made, ever, was having shutters on all my windows and doors,' Williams said. 'That's paid in dividends.' He's clocked a change in crime over the past 45 years. Back in the 1980s and '90s, hold-ups involving weapons seemed to be more common. Now, shoplifting and break-ins have taken the lead, he said. He blames methamphetamine addictions. 'I've seen the good, the bad, the ugly. And right now, I can tell you, it's ugly,' Williams said. 'It's not just here in Winnipeg — it's happening everywhere.' Nearby, Decadence Chocolates implemented exterior shutters following break-ins around 2022. There haven't been issues of the kind since, said employee Lauren Willems. Still, shoplifting occurs. Addicts, too, are around, Willems noted. 'It's really unfortunate that they're not getting the help that they need and are having to resort to things like this,' she said. 'I sympathize and empathize, but we also put a lot of money and work into what we're doing here. 'We'd like that to be respected.' The West Broadway BIZ introduced its safety and security grant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50-50 cost-shared program, which is ongoing, has paid out some $19,000 to eight companies. 'We do what we can to support our members,' said Eric Napier Strong, West Broadway BIZ executive director. 'But there's kind of a limit to what we can do to support public safety.' He's calling for a 'broader view' of safety because businesses across the city are affected. Government has announced increased patrols for targeted zones including Osborne Village, Exchange District and West End. West Broadway has seen a 275 per cent increase in cases of shoplifting of $5,000 or under, year-over-year, for the 12 months ending in March. The 30 cases are an 11 per cent jump above the five-year average, per Winnipeg Police Service data. Break-and-enter reports declined almost 40 per cent over the five-year average. (Ruwis' Hair, Beauty & Nails and Bistro Dansk, a nearly 50-year-old company, are among the West Broadway businesses who haven't experienced break-ins.) 'I think that many of the smaller BIZ zones are … feeling a strain,' Napier Strong said. 'They're all looking for more innovative public safety solutions coming from government.' The West Broadway BIZ counts 107 member businesses. As long as people are suffering on streets, crime will persist, Napier Strong said, adding more housing is needed. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Mayor Scott Gillingham said he's 'frustrated' when he hears of business break-ins. The city has been making significant investments in public safety, he added, citing police officer hires, a new chief focused on foot patrols and the Safe Winnipeg Initiative, where police and various agencies co-ordinate to tackle crime. 'We have more to do to make our community safer,' he said. An investigation into the theft at Lennard Taylor is ongoing, the Winnipeg Police Service confirmed. No arrest had been made as of Friday. For now, Lennard Taylor will continue selling clothing on its front lawn until it gets final permits for its store. It doesn't yet have an opening date. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘She was one tough nut'
In 1951, Loni Pahl crouched inside the hold of a transport ship, feeling the Atlantic Ocean swell and shrink beneath her. The boat, although seaworthy, was less than watertight and a layer of the frigid water pooled at her feet. At her back was a spectre of war-torn Europe, while ahead lay the promise of a better life in Canada. Pahl, 22, was among a group of other emigrants seeking safe passage within the confines of the dank ship. While she surely felt fear and uncertainty, she displayed courage, compassion and resilience — the qualities upon which she built the foundation of her life. SUPPLIED Loni Pahl and Ed Bettcher on their wedding day in 1959. They were childhood friends who reconnected and fell in love in Winnipeg. It was the beginning of a journey that spanned nearly a century and thousands of kilometres, from her birthplace in Sergejufka, Poland (now Ukraine), to her new home in Winnipeg. Along the way, she fell in love, raised three children and formed a lifelong friendship with a fellow expat she met on that boat. Loni Pahl Bettcher, born Dec. 9, 1929, died April 11. She was 95 years old. Her friends and family remember her wit, wisdom and willingness to put others before herself. 'I don't know what happened, we just looked at each other and we were connected,' said friend Alice Ratschinski, describing the moment — now more than 70 years ago — when she met Pahl at a marine port in Bremerhaven, Germany, before they departed to Canada. 'She was such a funny girl, and so helpful, and we got along so well.' Ratschinski, who was born in Ukraine, quickly learned she had much in common with her new friend. They were involved with the same German Baptist church, which had arranged for their travel to Canada, and were both raised on farms. Ratschinski fought through tears of joy and sorrow during a sprawling, 50-minute interview with the Free Press. She was Pahl Bettcher's best friend, and later, her neighbour inside the 25-storey apartment building that overlooks downtown Winnipeg. She described how they would drink coffees and speak German together in the mornings, before taking a stroll through the nearby parks and into neighbouring St. Boniface. SUPPLIED Pahl Bettcher with her eldest, Connie, sometime in the early 60s. 'We always found something to talk about… always happy, always cheerful. Sometimes we had something that was serious and we both cried for a while and kept on going,' Ratschinski said. It was Ratschinski who remembered how the cold waters of the Atlantic seeped through the hull of the ship in the early days of their journey together. The constant rocking of the waves, and later, of the train that carried the women from St. John's, N.L, to Winnipeg, did not agree with Ratschinski's stomach. She spent several weeks feeling nauseated and dizzy. Despite being three years younger, Pahl quickly adopted the role of caregiver. 'She carried my puke pail wherever I went. She never got sick and I had so much trouble,' Ratschinski said, laughing. 'She was more mature than I was, in one way.' Pahl's maturity was hard fought. Unlike many of the estimated 187,000 people who fled from Europe to Canada with their families after the Second World War, Pahl made the journey alone. She had been orphaned at a young age, said her middle daughter, Cindy Bettcher. Pahl Bettcher's mother, Holdine, died of tuberculosis when she was only four years old, while her father, Albert, perished three years later in a house fire. By that time, Albert had remarried Olga Bettcher, who raised Pahl as her own until she left to live with other relatives in her teenage years, Cindy said. SUPPLIED Pahl Bettcher with her three daughters, Connie, Nancy and Cindy. The girls often had matching haircuts. Pahl didn't know it then, but Olga's younger brother, Ewald (Ed) Bettcher, would one day become her husband. The childhood friends reconnected decades later in Winnipeg and married in 1959. Together, they raised three daughters, lived in at least seven different homes and supported each other through the trials and tribulations of building a new life in Canada. 'She was one tough nut,' Cindy said. 'She had a remarkable ability to roll with life and whatever it gave her and move on. She was amazingly resilient and, despite all the hardships, she was optimistic.' After arriving in Manitoba's capital, Pahl took a job as a housekeeper and repaid her debt to the German church that sponsored her immigration. She later baked cakes at Jeanne's Bakery and worked in a bakeshop and deli at the former Eaton's department store on Portage Avenue. She supported her husband in his various entrepreneurial ventures throughout the years, which included a car wash, gas station and T-shirt shop. Inside the home, Pahl Bettcher cooked, cleaned, kept an eye on the kids and helped manage the family finances — always setting aside a weekly donation to the church. She worked just as hard as Ed, who always held multiple jobs and spent his spare time cleaning offices, painting and fixing up rundown houses, Cindy said. 'They epitomized the belief that by working hard, you build a better life.' Ed died in 1989, shortly before Pahl Bettcher turned 60. SUPPLIED Pahl Bettcher, sometime in the mid-80s, smiles after telling a joke to husband Ed. Humour and fun were cornerstones of their relationship. She later moved into Fort Garry Place, where she remained for 27 years. Pahl Bettcher once joked she was 'living the good life' in the 600-square-foot suite, two doors down from her best friend, Cindy said. 'To say that she lived a fairly nomadic life was an underestimation,' Cindy said. 'Home, I think, became in her later years defined by family and deep relationships. It was always definitely about people.' Pahl Bettcher's commitment to personal growth, philanthropy and independence continued throughout those years. Her pursuit for adventure saw her take trips throughout Canada and the U.S., travel with groups of friends to Hawaii and ventured back out to sea for a Caribbean cruise. Even in the twilight of her life, Pahl Bettcher maintained her sense of humour and optimism, Cindy said. 'She enjoyed being a little naughty and a little bratty. In moments where she was feeling comfortable and safe, that would kind of poke out. We had many good laughs about that,' she said. Cindy, who moved from Winnipeg to Windsor, Ont., after she retired about nine years ago, spoke with Pahl Bettcher by phone nearly every day. 'One of the first questions was, 'What's the weather?' and, she took great pleasure when it was warmer in Winnipeg than it was in Windsor,' Cindy said. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Back in Ratschinski's apartment, several volumes of photo albums are spread out on her living room table. SUPPLIED Pahl Bettcher on a coffee date with her daughters circa 2016. She gasps and smiles as she flips through the pages, particularly when she encounters pictures that include Pahl Bettcher. In one monochrome photo, Pahl stands with Ratschinski's bridal party on her wedding day in August 1954. Pahl took great pride in being Ratschinski's maid of honour, she says. 'You can be from different countries, from different areas, but you can still be the best friends,' Ratschinski says, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
All aboard… for chills
Linwood Barclay, the U.S.-born, Ontario-based author of many bestselling thrillers and mystery novels, tries his hand at a supernatural thriller oozing with homages to Stephen King in Whistle. Annie Blunt, a bestselling children's book author, is suffering from a traumatic pair of events. Inspired by her popular picture book character Pierce the Penguin, a young boy tries to fly using cardboard wings and plummets to his death. While Annie struggles with feeling responsible for this tragedy, her husband is killed in a hit-and-run car accident. At the behest of her editor, Annie and her young son Charlie retreat to a rented mansion in upstate New York to try and recover some sense of normalcy. The quiet, slow pace of country life seems to be working until Charlie comes across an old model train set. Daniel Crump / Free Press files After setting it up and obsessively running the toy along its track, a number of strange events begin to unfold. And veering away from the cuddly Pierce, Annie's new idea for a character is much darker and more sinister than anything she's attempted before. There's a second storyline woven into the pages of Whistle, one that follows Harry Cook, the chief of police in the small town of Lucknow, Vt. and taking place not long after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Beginning with the mysterious disappearances of two men, a number of odd accidents befall the town, all seeming to somehow connect with the new specialty shop Choo-Choo's Trains and its eccentric owner Edwin Nabler. Fans of Stephen King will likely see a parallel to the 1991 novel Needful Things. Barclay is not shy about how much King has influenced this particular novel, and he includes a number of nods to other King titles including Christine, It and Maximum Overdrive. As well as drawing heavily on Needful Things and its villain Leland Gaunt, Whistle's villain also bears some resemblance to Andre Linoge, the creepy and mysterious bad guy of the 1999 made-for-TV miniseries Storm of the Century, also penned by King. Barclay is clearly a fan and makes no secret of the various influences which have inspired his foray away from thrillers and into supernatural chiller territory. Given that Barclay is playing (at least partially) with a less-modern setting, he might have been better suited to push the timeline back even further, to when model trains were actually popular. There are a couple of half-hearted snipes at video games and other modern toys compared to the precision and uniqueness of the trains, but it seems a stretch that these characters would have taken the slightest interest in this hobby without the supernatural persuasion of Edwin Nabler. Ellis Parinder photo Linwood Barclay And while the titular spooky shop called Needful Things catered to the many tastes of the town residents, Choo-Choo's Trains feels a little too niche for its influence to spread through the whole town. Billed as a spooky chiller, Whistle certainly has elements of horror, but doesn't really evoke many scares. For fans of Barclay's previous oeuvre and other mysteries, this is probably just enough spookiness to remain enjoyable, whereas devoted horror fans may find this one a touch too cozy. And while Barclay uses the split narrative akin to It, breaking the narrative into two branches does cut the tension. In Whistle readers' connection to Annie and Charlie builds, when the narrative suddenly breaks and introduces a whole slew of new characters in Harry's storyline. And because the reader knows Harry's plot takes place 20-some-odd years before Annie's, it can be difficult to invest in that plot. The two plot threads eventually do come together, though it does seem a little forced and relies heavily on coincidence. But like many King novels, Whistle works best when not taken too seriously and simply enjoyed as a thrill ride. A breezy and fun read, Whistle will appeal to fans of vintage Stephen King, particularly the stories set in the Castle Rock region. It doesn't reinvent the formula or introduce anything new, but it might just scratch that particular itch for the type of story King doesn't seem to be as interested in producing anymore. Whistle Keith Cadieux is a Winnipeg writer and editor. His latest story collection, Donner Parties and Other Anti-Social Gatherings, is out now from At Bay Press. He also co-edited the horror anthology What Draws Us Near, published by Little Ghosts Books.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
History society honours Free Press columnist Brodbeck
A Free Press columnist is among the winners of the Manitoba Historical Society's annual Margaret McWilliams Awards. Tom Brodbeck won in the popular history category for his book, Treaties, Lies & Promises: How the Métis & First Nations Shaped Canada. The book, published by Ronsdale Press, was among four nominees in the category. 'I am so humbled and grateful for this award,' Brodbeck said. 'It is truly an honour to be recognized by the Manitoba Historical Society. I hope this helps bring greater attention to the importance of learning about our true history and to the many contributions Indigenous peoples have made to our province and country.' Tom Brodbeck's book beat out three other nominees in the popular history category of the Manitoba Historical Society's annual Margaret McWilliams Awards. A book by late former judge and senator Murray Sinclair, as told to Sara Sinclair and Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair, won in the local history category. Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation was published by McClelland & Stewart. Niigaan Sinclair was also among the six nominees in that category for Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre, published by Penguin Random House Canada. Gerald Friesen won in the scholarly history category for The Honourable John Norquay: Indigenous Premier, Canadian Statesman, beating out three other nominees. The book was published by the University of Manitoba Press. Each recipient receives $500. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. The society was founded in 1879. The awards, one of the oldest literary prizes in Canada, encourage the study and interpretation of Manitoba history. They were established in 1955 as a memorial to feminist, historian and author Margaret Stovel McWilliams. fpcity@
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
What's open, what's closed, what's up in Winnipeg on Canada Day 2025
This Canada Day, the Free Press has you covered, whether you're looking to celebrate this country's Indigenous heritage, participate in some 'Elbows Up'-style patriotism, to have some fun in the sun or stay cool in the shade. The Free Press is not publishing a print or e-edition on July 1, but readers can visit our website for the latest news and information. Here's a roundup of hours of business for services and other things to do on Canada Day. JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES All across the country Canada Day parties will celebrate the country's 158th birthday with food, fun and, in many cases, fireworks. At The Forks, family-friendly festivities between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. include dance workshops and battles, skateboarding demonstrations, a basketball tournament and a fashion show, food trucks and a handmade market, cultural demonstrations and crafts, and live music. See a schedule on The Forks website. Princess Auto Stadium has live music on two stages, as well as an Indigenous handmade market, kids activities and food vendors. The event is free, but they ask attendees bring a non-perishable food item for Harvest Manitoba. No ticket is required to access the tailgate stage, open from noon to 5 p.m. Mainstage events starting at 5 p.m. — including headliner Big Wreck and a fireworks show at 10:30 p.m. — are also free, but require a ticket. More details, performance schedule and ticket information on the Blue Bombers website. Free Canada Day celebrations with live music, performances and family-friendly activities are being hosted at Princess Auto Stadium and The Forks. In eastern Winnipeg, Transcona BIZ is presenting a two-part Canada Day festival. In the afternoon (1-5 p.m.) check out the Canada Day Market at Transcona Centennial Square (135 Regent Ave. W.), featuring local makers such as BB Tallow Skincare Co., Urban Tails, Shrugging Doctor Beverage Co. and Bet Toba. There will be face painting, games and balloon animals for the kids and, while supplies last, free hot dogs. At 9:30 p.m., the gates will open at Buhler Recreation Park (135 Murdoch Rd.) for the fireworks — bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy. Similarly, in south Winnipeg, the River Park South Community Association is presenting a two-part Canada Day celebration of its own. Festivities kick off at Burland Park (150 Burland Ave.) from 4 to 8:30 p.m., with balloon artists, face painting, a craft market, live music and food trucks (including Wagyu Wagon, Engocha Ethiopian Food and the Big Dawg Smokies). The party moves to Highbury Park (99 Highbury Rd.) after dark for the fireworks, which kick off around 11 p.m. near the retention pond. Those living in north Winnipeg can start celebrating Canada Day early at Canada Fest at the Tyndall Park Community Centre (2255 King Edward St.) Sunday and Monday from 4 to 9 p.m. and from 3 to 11 p.m. on Canada Day proper. The event will feature food trucks and stalls at the Food Park (including Kyu Grill, Lobster Bae and Popoy's Golden Chicken), live spray paint art, free zumba classes, prizes and fireworks on Canada Day after dark. In the west end of the city, Assiniboine Park's Summer Entertainment Series continues with a range of Canada Day activities taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment on the Lyric Stage includes Mama Cutsworth, Zrada and Neighbour Andy, while food trucks, a bouncy castle and pop-up patio will be set up in the Lyric Field. The outdoor garden at The Leaf will host a citizenship ceremony, salsa dance lessons, fire and tobacco teachings. (For those desperate to catch some fireworks in west Winnipeg, Assiniboia Downs will be lighting up the sky with pyrotechnics after dark.) For more Canada Day events in other communities in and around Winnipeg, check out our community calendar. An anti-Canada Day party is also planned at the Exchange Event Centre. See what's up. WHERE TO WATCH FIREWORKS In Winnipeg, July 1 fireworks displays are scheduled at Princess Auto Stadium and Assiniboia Downs. Some rural fireworks displays have been cancelled due to the threat of wildfires. Civic, provincial and federal offices are closed July 1. There is no mail delivery on Tuesday. Canada Post offices are closed, but post offices operated by the private sector will be open according to the hours of service of the host business. All city cemetery grounds are open 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The administration office at Brookside cemetery will remain closed all day. Winnipeg Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule on July 1. The city will be adjusting to a new transit network, which launches Sunday. See our transit survival guide for tips on navigating the new system. Recycling and garbage will be collected as usual. The Brady Road landfill is open 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 4R Winnipeg depot at the Brady landfill will be open until 8 p.m. and the Pacific Winnipeg 4R depot is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Panet 4R depot is closed. Winnipeg Public Library branches will be closed. (Find your great next read in our Books section.) Arenas and leisure centres will be closed. City of Winnipeg indoor swimming pools will be closed July 1. All outdoor pools, including spray pads, will be open. Wading pools will begin opening on a staggered basis starting July 1. See more information on wading pool schedules here. Major movie theatres will be open. (Not sure what to see? Find news and reviews in our Movies section.) The Assiniboine Park Zoo and The Leaf will be will be open until 5 p.m. A full slate of Canada Day festivities is planned at Assiniboine Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. See the Canada Day schedule of events here. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is offering free admission July 1. See current exhibits and events. The Manitoba Children's Museum will be open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check out their featured events. The Manitoba Museum will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upcoming events at the museum and planetarium. The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Upcoming events. The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Current exhibitions. FortWhyte Alive is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Calendar of events. The Crescent Drive, Harbour View, John Blumberg, Kildonan Park and Windsor Park golf courses will be open, weather permitting. Most larger chain grocery stores are open, but some may have reduced hours, so you might want to call ahead to check the hours at your preferred shop. CF Polo Park, Garden City Shopping Centre, Kildonan Place and Outlet Collection Winnipeg will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grant Park Shopping Centre will be closed. Portage Place will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., but some tenants and areas of the mall may be closed because of the ongoing redevelopment of the mall. St. Vital Centre will be closed. The Forks Market will be open. Canada Day festivities will be held inside and outside at The Forks from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. See The Forks' Canada Day programming here. Most Liquor Mart stores in Winnipeg will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for the True North Square location, which will be closed. Check hours at your preferred store. Beer vendors and private wine stores set their own hours for holidays, so call ahead. webnews@
