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Community member Abe Posen turns a hundred
By KINZEY POSEN I phoned my dad Abe Posen, who lives at the Portsmouth Retirement Residence, and asked him how his day was. “Not bad,” he answered. A phrase my father often uses when things are ok. “I worked out in the gym with the weights and went for a walk.” Not unusual of course, except my dad was days away from his 100th birthday.
He’s about to join an exclusive club. As of last year, out of a world population of 7.9 billion people, only 550,000 or so are members of the centenarian club. That’s the equivalent of finding naturally growing palm trees in Canada. Maybe in the lower mainland of B.C., but it’s rare. The good news is, each year there seem to be more and more people reaching this milestone age and I am proud and very happy to say, my dad is one of them.
Abe was born in Winnipeg on September 3rd, 1921 to Gita and Mayer Posen, their first child. It was Mayer’s second marriage as his first wife died in the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918. My father married Ruth Dvorchick in 1948.
So, what’s a regular day for Abe the centenarian? A healthy breakfast with flax, reading the paper cover to cover, working on a stack of crossword puzzles with a pen no less and watching one of his favourite shows, Dr. Pimple Popper. It might also include a workout in the gym and a walk as previously mentioned.
He’s known to family and friends as a man with a joke for every occasion, including classics such as “Roses are red, Violet’s are blue, I know, because I saw them hanging on the line.” Or “It was raining cats and dogs and I stepped in a poodle.” He’s always on the lookout for new jokes.
Besides the love of humour, my dad has given my brother and me an appreciation of travelling, railways, and a deep sense of play. He took our family for wonderful road trips to Chicago, Detroit and elsewhere back in the 1950s and 60s. Those experiences helped foster in us a deep curiosity about the world around us.
Much like his father, my dad is a quiet man, who would be the first to admit he’s nervous when having to speak in public. Despite that, he became the president of Brandeis Lodge and was a member of the Board of Directors and Governors of the YMHA. As a chartered accountant, he started at the firm Sandell & Peltz, moved on to the federal government, and in his last position, was the Chief Auditor for the Province of Manitoba.
His last job required him to travel to various places throughout Manitoba to check on the government’s assets and investments. One time, he invited me to accompany him by seaplane to Berens River, located on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. It’s a very small town located next to the reserve of the same name and there was no road in. As soon as we landed, a car drove up to the dock very quickly, came to a skidding halt and all four doors opened in a huge cloud of dust. One man asked, “Are you Mr. Posen?” and within seconds my dad was whisked away, not to be seen for seven hours. Another time, he was returning to the city from Pine Falls and fell asleep at the wheel. The car left the highway and rolled over several times. Thankfully, he survived the crash, but the vehicle was completely totalled. On the side, he was a beloved accountant for dozens of Jewish immigrants and their small businesses. He always treated everyone fairly and gave good advice. Of course he has a joke about accounting, “How do you become a successful accountant? Don’t show anyone the books!”
Speaking of advice, I asked my dad for his suggestions about how to live to a hundred. On making it this far, he says…………It just happened! He went on to say, “It’s a matter of luck, try to avoid incurable diseases if you can, take care of yourself and stay out of trouble.” On how to treat other people, he says…………..”Polite manners never hurt anyone.” About growing up Jewish, he says, “I was too young to argue.” About clothing he says………….”It doesn’t hurt to look nice.” And he does look nice, he always did. A man with style.
What’s truly amazing is that he looks forward to every day, whatever it will bring, however it unfolds. None of this not buying green bananas business for him. He’s truly living in the here and now and it’s an honour to have him with us, still making jokes, being independent and enjoying every day. We look forward to celebrating his 120th. Happy Birthday, Pop!
Features
The Popularity of Simpler Slot Games in 2026: Review From Casino Online CrazyTower Experts
Online casinos now fill their libraries with numerous video slots that have dozens of functions, long bonus rounds, complex mechanics, and so on. Interestingly, despite this huge range of modern options, many Canadian visitors at sites like Casino Online CrazyTower here https://crazytower.com/ca/ no longer want complicated gameplay that requires constant attention and long explanations.
Simpler slots now attract a wider audience because they save time and create faster sessions. So, let’s figure out why this change happened and reasons for the popularity of simpler machines.
Why Many Players Are Returning to Basic Gameplay
Modern websites like Casino Online CrazyTower pushed complex video slots for years, but many people now prefer classic formats again. Simple gameplay has fewer interruptions and is simpler in terms of budgeting, which is important when you gamble for fun.
These are a few potential reasons explain why simpler slots became popular again in 2026:
- Faster rounds. Symbols appear quickly, and rounds continue without long animations or extended bonus sequences.
- Easier controls. Most classic slots have simple menus and familiar layouts that don’t confuse new visitors.
- Smaller feature lists. Simple slots usually have standard wilds, scatters, and multipliers instead of dozens of random mechanics.
- Better session flow. People spend more time on gameplay instead of reading explanations about symbols and special functions.
- Lower visual pressure. Simpler slots use calmer designs and shorter effects that don’t overload attention.
Classic gameplay also suits mobile devices better because shorter rounds work well on smaller screens. Plus, many visitors now prefer games that start instantly and explain their mechanics within seconds.
Features That Make Simpler Slots Appealing
Simple machines at Casino Online CrazyTower and similar websites continue to attract attention because they have a high gameplay speed. Many classic titles also replicate older casino machines that people already know from physical casinos.
However, these aren’t the only factors that attract gamblers. So, check out this list:
- Short bonus rounds. Free spins and multipliers finish quickly instead of interrupting gameplay for several minutes.
- Common and standard paylines. Traditional layouts help people understand payouts without long explanations.
- Faster loading times. Simpler graphics reduce waiting time on phones, tablets, and older computers.
- Stable gameplay pace. Long cutscenes and constant pop-up notifications don’t interrupt the session.
- Traditional themes. Fruit symbols, bars, sevens, and classic casino designs still attract large audiences.
- Smaller menus. Important information appears immediately without complicated tabs or hidden sections.
Modern video slots often contain too many mechanics in a single game. Developers now combine expanding reels, random modifiers, mission systems, tournaments, and multiple bonus levels in one title. Many visitors lose interest because gameplay turns repetitive and overloaded with constant interruptions.
Compare this to a session when you get results immediately and aren’t interrupted. These still have free spins and even mini risk games, but not as loaded as innovative titles.
Conclusion
Simple slots usually create better replay value because people understand the mechanics immediately. Common and standard gameplay doesn’t cause frustration and allows faster decisions during casino sessions.
Many classic slots also function better during short breaks because rounds finish quickly without long bonus interruptions. That’s why simpler slots became popular again at many casinos, including Casino Online CrazyTower and such.
Features
Football: Which team from Israel could we see in the European Cup next year?
With Europe’s club competitions heading into another summer of drama, Israeli football is on the table. The domestic season is done, trophies picked up and now a new batch of clubs can now try their luck against continental competition.
What are the prospects of these teams in Europe next year and who are they? It all starts with Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s title, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup win and the competition of the best Israel football teams against each other, as fans look to Champions League on Wincomparator to see what teams are in contention.
How Israel’s clubs qualify for Europe: The 2026-2027 spots
Qualification to join the European elite hinges on the 2025-26 Israeli Premier League table and the Israel State Cup. Israel will have one Champions League spot, one Europa League spot, and two Europa Conference League spots in 2026-27.
That means the league winner gets into the Champions League, the State Cup winner goes on to Europa League qualifying. The next eligible league’s finishers take the Conference League slots. It’s a good model as it provides a tangible reward for consistency at home, while at the same time demonstrating the importance of each playoff game. A top three finish can help a club’s summer, bring in better players and provide fans with a European tour before the next season’s start.
The Champion’s quest: Israel’s hope for the Champions League
Meet the 2025-26 Premier League winner: Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Hapoel Be’er Sheva have qualified for Israel’s Champions League after their Israeli Premier League title win with 79 points scored in 36 games. Ran Kozuch’s side closed the gap on the three-point lead but also showed significant strength in the attacking phase to secure a win in a crucial championship round with Beitar Jerusalem.
Their challenge also comes as their reward. Hapoel Be’er Sheva are only expected to begin in the second round of the Champions League, not the league round. To get to the main competition they need to pass through the first round of the other national champions in two-legged ties, and their seeding, fitness and sharpness in early-season competition could be a game breaker.
While the club has experience in Europe and a rabid Turner Stadium following, the path is tough. It takes one bad outing to wipe out a year’s worth of work. However, as long as the bedrock remains the same and they are able to put some depth into the team, the champions have the balance to fight.
Battling in the Conference League: Israel’s other European contenders
The State Cup winner and league runners-up
Maccabi Tel Aviv go to Europe after the Israel State Cup final 2-1 win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem. That win denied Be’er Sheva a home double, and also meant that Maccabi got into the Europa League qualifying, where they were put in the second qualifying round thanks to access-list rebalancing.
The Conference League qualifiers are Beitar Jerusalem who finished second in the league with 76 points, and Hapoel Tel Aviv who finished fourth with 60 points. The importance of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup victory lies in the fact that it unlocked the rest of the way in the league. Beitar’s season was particularly impressive as they scored 78 goals and lost just four matches. On the other hand, Hapoel Tel Aviv managed to remain above Maccabi Haifa in the final table standing, earning them a well-deserved European berth.
The Europa Conference League is no consolation prize for these clubs. It’s a realistic platform. Although there are still a few hurdles to navigate, Israeli sides consider this competition to be the most realistic one for European football in the autumn.
A look at past successes and future hopes
This group has reason for belief, based on recent history. Israeli teams can make significant nights in Europe, and Maccabi Haifa did just that, when they made it into the Champions League group stage in 2022-23, and then impressively took out Juventus 2-0 in Haifa.
There is significant monetary and sporting worth in qualification. A UEFA cup can make a difference to a club, as can better attendance, TV coverage and recruitment opportunities. The early storylines will be the draw for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Champions League, as well as Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa league and the two Conference League routes — Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv. They all have tricky paths to follow, but all four provide Israeli football with a realistic European presence next summer.
Features
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish
This story originally appeared in a November 2014 issue of The Jewish Post & News:
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.
