Features
Former Winnipegger Eileen Sever finds previously unknown cousin in Ukraine
By GERRY POSNER
Many of us who have roots in Canada can trace our origins to Eastern Europe. It does not matter which country our ancestors started from in Europe – the story is the same in one way or another. One venturous soul makes his or her way and gradually, the rest follow, sometimes over a period of years.
And often, for a variety of reasons, one sibling chooses to remain behind in the old country. The contact between those in America and those back in Russia, for example, is not easy, but it exists until it doesn’t. War, Communist regimes and ultimately the passage of the older generations usually triggered the end of the letters. With the end of that minimum contact, the names of the family that stayed behind are lost and thus a family relationship is over -unless and until…
Eileen Sever, a former Winnipeg resident living in Los Angeles and a descendant of the Donner family, recently was able to re-establish a family relationship that had been lost for over 115 years. It only happened because of two key parts – a diary and technology. Eileen, whose cousins include Shell relatives in Winnipeg and about whom a story was written in 2019 in the Jewish Post & News, made the happy discovery of a branch in Russia that had almost been forgotten.
The story began long ago and it revolves around Eileen’s grandfather, Elisha, and his twin sister, Tanya Donner. The pogroms were in full force and the Donner family decided to move out of Nikolaev in Ukraine. The family was a large one – 17 children, of whom 11 made it into adulthood. Of the 11 children, 10 were ready to leave Ukraine, but Tanya, already married by 1904 and living in what is known as Kherson with children, could not depart with the family. The way Eileen tells it is that, in 1904, her great- grandfather Aaron Donner, the man who had fathered all of these 17 children, went to Kherson to say goodbye to his daughter Tanya and her family. He recorded his trip in his diary – all in Yiddish. That was a good move, genealogically speaking.
Sadly, like so many other families, the details of the Donner (sometimes spelled Doner) family history were not discussed much in the family once they arrived in Canada. The grandparents had died at a time when Eileen and her cousins were too young to inquire about their origins. There were no pictures or letters of the Kherson relatives either. In short, it was as if the family left behind had vanished. This is a story familiar to many Jewish families.
Now, Eileen as it turned out, was well positioned to delve into a genealogical pursuit of her family. In 1998, after retirement, she began a 20 year stint at the Los Angeles Public Library, History and Genealogy Department. As a hobby, she started to collect family history. She recalled seeing the diary of her great-grandfather as a youngster and she wondered whatever had happened to that diary. Well, one of her cousins, former Winnipegger Arthur Donner, had in fact located it and had it translated from Yiddish into readable English. And, there was the story relating to Elisha’s sister Tanya left behind in Ukraine and the farewell visit by the great-grandfather, Aaron. Her married name as revealed by the diary was Yablonsky.
It could have ended there. However, a group of people working with Eileen in the Genealogy Department decided to have a DNA test completed for them by Ancestry.com and their results were then uploaded or at least delivered to MyHeritage.com, headquartered in Israel. Eileen was skeptical about this whole process but, lo and behold, it turned out a cousin was discovered in Poland. Eileen still remained dubious, but reluctantly emailed this supposed cousin, asking if the cousin was a Yablonsky. The answer came almost immediately. This supposed Polish relative, whose name, it turned out, was Sasha, was a grandchild of Tanya Yablonsky.
Tanya, though separated from her family in Canada, had still managed to survive – and continue to have children. Ultimately, Tanya had over 200 descendants. Only one person did not make it through the wars, the Gulag and indeed the Russian revolution. The family was spread out through St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev, Israel and, as Eileen was to discover: Poland. It turned out that Tanya lived until 1959 and Sasha had memories of sitting on his great-grandmother’s lap, listening to her tell him about her father, Aaron Donner. Sasha even provided Eileen with a family tree and, with the facility of Facebook, Eileen was able to connect with various branches of that side of the family. The diary is now being translated into Russian.
What is one to make of this story? To me it is all about the value of keeping a diary and as well, the beauty of DNA testing. There are many critics of the public access to DNA results, but in this case, what can be said for sure, is that the family ties were never “Severed” (sorry, I couldn’t resist) – all due to Aaron Donner’s diary and DNA.
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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