Features
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish
1994 McAdam Ave. reunion (names inside story)By GERRY POSNER (This story first appeared in November 2014.)
Once upon a time when life was simpler and gentler, there was a street in the north end of Winnipeg which was like all other streets in the city except in one significant way. Everyone, but for one family, living on McAdam east of Main Street was Jewish.
From a 1994 reunion of former McAdam Ave. residents:
Front row – Linda (Shuckett) Waldman, Gail (Caplan) Bender, Brenda Mindell Odwak, Martin Sodomsky, Belva (Cham) Wilder, Carol (Frank) Woodward, Sharon (Mondell) Wolchuck,
Kenny Sodomsky, Behind Brenda her brother Earl Mindell, Barry Caplan, Terry (Yates) Erlichman, Penny (Mondell) Ganetsky
Ed. note: As we noted in the November 12, 2014 issue in which this story – & picture, first appeared, there are far more faces in the photo than names in the caption.
One might speculate how this might happened and no doubt there are various reasons that might be given, but the reality was that in a period between 1950 to 1970 ( give or take a few years), there was no trouble rounding up a Minyan on McAdam.
Who were these people, what did they do for a living, were they friendly with one another, what became of the kids who grew up then and what memories of that time do they have? Tough questions with uncertain answers in part.
What we can say for sure about this group is that they got along well with one another. There was a feeling of community and they had a spirit of forgiveness for the transgressions of someone else’s kid trespassing on their property or making noises at late hours or for that matter in the early morning hours on a Sunday reserved for sleep. ( just how much this quality of forgiveness has been carried out to the next generation will be evident if there are not too many complaints about how this article left out a name or had the wrong address or mixed up crucial facts).
The names are not as difficult to list without going to a Henderson’s Directory as you might think. All that was needed was Paul Nusgart, Brenda Odwak, Jack Rusen, Cheryl Singer, Linda Waldman, Adeena Lungen and Sharon Wolchock, all graduates of McAdam Avenue. Just to hear the names once again brings back a storehouse of memories. Here is a list of the addresses and the families who inhabited them.
North side of McAdam at Main Street:
195 Ben and Clara Lungen, children Paul and Adeena who owned and operated Lungen’s Meat Market, a butcher shop right at the same address
191 a duplex- main floor Minnie Waldhorn and brother Max Waldhorn. They also had their sister Fanny Mandell living next door at 187. On the second floor was the well known lawyer ID Rusen
187 Manasha and Fanny Mandell, Merle and Ruthy
185 Bill and Minnie Mindell, Earl and Brenda (how odd that a Mandell and a Mindell would live next door to one another)
181 Max and Idy Nusgart, Paul and Ruth Carol, later succeeded by the Greenberg family, as in Lawrence and Lois with sons Jeff and Alan
177 Phil and Adele Sheps, David and Arthur, followed by Charlie and Molly Rusen, Jack and David ( the first family connection as Charlie and ID were brothers)
175 Max and Annette Caplan, a sister to Nathan Stall also on the block across the street, Barry, Sandra, and Gail,
171 Bob, Molly and Hilda Schulz the owners of the Deluxe Theatre Coffee Shop in the Deluxe Theatre and the only non-Jews on the street (Ed. note: In a letter we received following publication of Gerry’s article, writer Allan Margulius (who lived at 170 McAdam) noted that the house at 170 McAdam later belonged to the Brick family: Fred & Cynthia, and children Marsha, Ira, Robbie, & Lisa.)
169 Bernard and Ruth Mondell, Sharon, Penny and Errol (McAdam Avenue, like no other, offers the triple M hockey line, as in Mandell, Mindell and Mondell – a hockey announcer’s worst nightmare)
165 Kaplan – daughters Annette and Bert and Sonny and Dave succeeded by The Frank family, Carol and Minnie and Ernest Green and their five children Coleman, Cheryl, Chuck, David and Ricky
163 A Mrs. Rose Billinkoff, as she was known to the kids of that time, grandmother to David Billinkoff and with her a daughter, Ada
161 Jimmy and Rae Gobuty, daughter Elaine and son Michael followed by Ike and Fanny Glesby and 4 daughters, Carol, Marilyn, Donna and Barbara and even later, the Gillman family
155 The Levin Family who moved later to 146 McAdam and after the Levin’s, Lionel and Minnie Katz, Jerrold and Bernard
151 The Stern family( Ruth and Bill) and children Maxine, Neal, Gary and Shayla who later moved across the street (there seemed to a definite inclination to remain on McAdam since a number of residents moved from one side to the other)
147 Max and Molly Byers, Bloomie and later Benny and Fanny Pressman, Irwin and Eddie
145 Dave and Bert Shuckett, Linda and Richard
141 Evelyn Blankstein and her mother Mrs. Lena Blankstein
South Side:
194 Another duplex with the Collarman family as in parents Mendel and Rachel and son Howard in one part and in the other, Myer and Rose Nackimson, Eddie and Janice followed by Sid Green
190 The Adilmans as in Jack, Joe and Sybil later followed by the Portigals, Evelyn, Sheila and Chassie. Also at this home were Annette and Danny Butler with their kids Mark and Nadine
186 Albert and Sylvia Israels, Martin and Richard
184 Duplex: Bill Malchy family to include daughters Naneve and Melissa and Mr. Jacob Shuckett Sr. followed by Cantor Orland Verall
180 Dave and Sara Hyman, Jackie and Gary
176 Art and Gloria Sodomsky, Ken and Martin
174 Bill and Sukie Pitch, Harvin and Marsha and later the Stewart family and then Manya Margulius, Marty and sister, Caroline and The Frank family (Ed. note: In another letter we received following publication of Gerry’s article, writer Sharon Niznick Glass noted that the Frank family preceded the Margulius family. Sharon wrote that Carol Frank had lived in the house before the Marguliuses and that she boarded with them for two years while she went to university. As Sharon wrote: “When I told people where I was living, they always said: ‘Oh, you’re living in Carole Frank’s house.” Sharon added that she didn’t know who Carol Frank was until 50 years later until she was introduced to Carol Woodward in Palm Springs – who proceeded to tell Sharon that her maiden name was Frank.)
170 Joe and Mickey Margulius, Ilene, Teddy and Allan (yet another family connection- see next door)
168 Zeke and Bert Greenberg, Reta and Arnold
166 Jack and Molly Secter, Lloyd, Norman and Lily Ann
162 Sid and Frances Katz, Paul and Hart later followed by Dave and Dorothy Yates, Terri
160 Nathan and Gertie Stall, Shelley, Morton, Phyllis and Richard
158 Jack and Geila Sheps, Cheryl, Sam, Maureen and Michael
156 Lewis and Lucy Cohen, Ernie and Larry
152 Leon and Clara Cham, Noreen, Belva and Ricki followed by the Ruth and Bill Stern Family
148 Sam and Claire Posner, Ken and Ricki succeeded by Dr. And Mrs. Cham and children Bonnie, David and Susan (a second Cham for McAdam-perhaps it was the rhyme on the name that attracted them there)
146 Harry and Myrna Levin, Michael, Julie, Esther Ruth, Jonathan and Daniel
Back in the 1950’s, on a given summer night, you could hear the voice of Molly Secter bellowing out “ Norman, where are you” all the way from the Levin’s at the eastern end to Main Street at the western end. Or perhaps you might see Charlie Rusen in front of his home practising his golf stroke.
This we know for sure. That time and period has ended and with its demise we lost real neighbourliness and the certainty of being able to look to someone on the street to help out no matter the problem. McAdam had all of those qualities and more. Just ask any of the descendants.
Features
The Moneymaker Poker Tour 2025 Is Coming To Canada
This year, the highly acclaimed Moneymaker Tour is finally coming to Canada for the first time. Previously hosted just across the US, the Moneymaker Tour’s Canadian leg marks only its second time abroad. The first time was last year’s Moneymaker Tour Aruba, which was held in October. During this leg, the Caribbean island country also hosted a USD$200,000 (CAD$285,527) guaranteed Main Event.
Following this successful overseas experience, the team behind the Moneymaker Tour, led by its namesake, Chris Moneymaker himself, will host 23 events in Kahnawake, just some minutes from downtown Montreal.
Chris Moneymaker and his poker legacy
A certified living poker legend, Chris Moneymaker is credited with kickstarting the early 2000s poker boom. A former accountant who qualified via (what was then relatively new) online satellite means, Moneymaker went on to win the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event with a USD$2.5 million (CAD$3.5 million) prize. His win marked a turning point in the industry, as it convinced thousands that poker was now more accessible and promising than ever. Since then, Moneymaker has won multiple bracelets and has been included in the Poker Hall of Fame.
Over the years, Moneymaker has expanded his presence on the felt as a poker pro for ACR Poker, which is the US’ leading online poker site. Since 2001, it’s been known for its huge tourneys, secure gaming and banking methods, and an impressive roster of poker personalities. Moneymaker was officially brought on in this capacity in 2021. In recognition of Chris’ influence, the site has even begun hosting special weekly promotions called The Sunday Moneymaker, which offer supersized guarantees of up to USD$300,000 (CAD$428,397). This is, of course, aside from the Moneymaker Tour itself, which is also hosted in partnership with the operator across several US cities, nearby territories, and now in international locations, like Canada.
What to expect from the Moneymaker Tour in Canada
Set to be held from May 7-20, the Canadian leg of the Moneymaker Tour will be hosted in cooperation with local casino and cardroom Playground. As mentioned above, there will be 23 events, during which there will be a USD$980,343 (CAD$1.4 million) guaranteed prize pool across the board. From May 16 onwards, the events will be dedicated to the Main Event, where there is a USD$350,122 (CAD$500,000) guarantee.
Designed to provide an opportunity for poker players of all skill levels and backgrounds to experience their own extraordinary poker wins inspired by Moneymaker, the tour’s events notably feature considerably lower buy-ins. In the Canadian leg, for instance, the Main Event’s buy-in is only USD$805 (CAD$1,150). With this in mind, reports state that players from across Canada, the US, and other neighboring countries are expected to join in.
Per executives behind the Moneymaker Tour, this foray into the Canadian poker scene will ideally set the scene for future activations. That said, whether the tour will extend to other provinces is yet to be determined, considering that there are varying stances on gambling. For instance, in Alberta, there are still some delays in regulatory gambling launches. This has pushed back the legal release of potential gaming opportunities, especially in iGaming. However, since most citizens and legislators see the value in exploring this issue positively, it bodes well for any future poker events, including Moneymakers’.
Features
How to Determine the Best Canadian Online Slot Sites for Your Needs
Your choice of online slot site may be different between winning and losing. More and more Canadian online slot sites have been added to the market quickly, so finding a site that works best for you is pivotal. That diversity also means that not all sites are equal. Find one that has an assortment of games, and the security features you want, and is simple and user-friendly, depending on your taste. Here we are going to look at how you can get yourself lost in online slots in Canada and what makes a game juicy.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Canadian Online Slot Sites
There are some very important things that you need to keep in mind when picking the best Canadian online slot sites. Knowing about these factors can help you have a safe and pleasant gaming experience.
1. Licensing and Regulation:
One of the first things you need to look at is if the site has a license or not. All good Canadian slot sites should hold licenses from respected and well-known authorities like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or Malta Gaming Authority. This means that the site must meet very high standards of fairness and security.
2. Game Selection:
Online slot gaming is all about variety. Choose online slot sites that offer a wide variety of reputable developer games. Some of the most popular providers, including Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech, produce games with stunning graphics and exciting gameplay features. Experiencing other sites with their wider game libraries makes for a nice change too.
3. User Experience:
A simple and easy-to-use user interface makes your game more enjoyable. Check how user-friendly the website is, the game loaders, and the management of your account. In contrast, top Canadian slot sites with beautifully crafted websites save players from technical issues and dispense with the mindset that you are here to play.
4. Easy Payments:
Payment options should be secure and easy to use. Make sure the site allows for plenty of payment options—credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Also, make sure the site has implemented encryption to help secure your financial transactions and personal information.
5. Customer Service:
Good customer service can go a long way. Choose Canadian slot sites that provide professional support for assistance by live chat, email, or even phone if necessary. Great customer support ensures that if you face any kind of problem, it gets resolved as soon as possible.
To make it easier for you to locate and select the top Canadian online slot sites that meet these points, check out New Online Casinos. From the reviews and comparisons that this resource provides, you will be able to notice which sites really hit all those crucial aspects with other elements of playing games, only adding a cherry on top!
Top Red Flags in Canadian Slot Sites to Watch Out For
The main point is to avoid landing on sites that purport themselves as Canadian slot sites but are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing.
- No Licensing: Make sure the online casino is licensed to ensure fair play.
- Unrealistic Bonus Offers: Unrealistic Bonus Offers are also another warning sign, as too-good-to-be-true bonuses with high minimum turnover requirements may be designed to make players lose their money.
- Low Ratings: The poor user reviews may have an issue with customer support or even fairness.
- Limited Payment Options: Moreover, there are limited payment options and vague security measures to ensure your financial safety.
To avoid getting into trouble and to ensure that you have a safe experience with online slots in Canada, always take these aspects under the microscope.
Conclusion
The best online slot sites in Canada will have their game selection well-cataloged, helping you to browse the hundreds of options and figure out which are right for you. If you take all of these into consideration, you should be able to find a site that offers some fun and safety. Keep your eyes open for red flags all the time and use services like New Online Casinos to help you pick new casinos.
Features
Fitzdares Exiting March 31, Stake.ca Prepares for Highly Anticipated Launch
Ontario’s rapidly evolving online betting industry faces another significant shift as British bookmaker Fitzdares has confirmed plans to permanently withdraw from Ontario by March 31, 2025. The unexpected exit comes after two challenging years for Fitzdares, which struggled to establish a foothold in Ontario’s increasingly crowded and competitive gambling landscape.
UK-based Fitzdares, known for its premium betting experience and personalized service, entered the Ontario market in early 2023. Despite hosting exclusive Toronto events and significant investment in local marketing efforts, the bookmaker struggled to establish a foothold. Recent industry data shows Fitzdares captured less than 0.2% of Ontario’s betting volume, placing it well behind established competitors BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
Fitzdares confirmed it had stopped accepting deposits as of March 10 and will halt all new wagers by March 24. So if you’re signed up with Fitzdares, you have until midnight on March 31 to withdraw any remaining balances before the platform officially shuts down.
The departure of Fitzdares highlights the tough realities operators face in Ontario—a market that has rapidly expanded since its regulation began in April 2022. Today, more than 50 licensed brands compete fiercely for local bettors’ attention, making differentiation critical for success.
Amid this shifting landscape, anticipation is steadily building around the return of Stake.com—this time under its new Canadian-specific brand “Stake.ca.” Stake previously operated in Ontario but was forced to suspend services due to stricter licensing requirements introduced by iGaming Ontario and AGCO, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Now, after a lengthy hiatus and extensive preparations, Stake is gearing up to re-enter the province legally and fully regulated under its new Canadian-facing brand: Stake.ca.
Stake.ca has already launched an informational portal at StakeOntario.com, providing regular updates on regulatory progress and launch details. While an exact launch date hasn’t been publicly confirmed yet—currently listed simply as “coming soon”—the platform is widely expected to go live later this year.
Industry insiders point out that Stake is making significant investments to ensure full compliance with Ontario’s stringent regulatory standards. The company recently hired Canadian iGaming veteran Kris Abbott as its representative for Canada, demonstrating a clear commitment to successfully navigating local licensing procedures.
Stake originally gained global popularity through its innovative cryptocurrency-friendly betting model, extensive game library—including exclusive original titles—and robust sports betting markets featuring live streaming and unique betting experiences like Plinko and Crash games. While Ontario currently restricts crypto gambling transactions, industry experts predict Stake.ca will initially offer CAD-based payments with potential crypto integration down the line if provincial regulations evolve.
Stake.ca’s return has Ontarian gamblers fired up. Online forums and social feeds are packed with bettors hyped about its exclusive casino games, VIP rewards, live-streamed sports, and especially the real-time chat where you can talk to other members directly.
For now, Ontarian bettors will have to wait just a little longer—but when Stake.ca finally goes live later this year, it could significantly reshape the province’s online betting landscape once again.
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