By GERRY POSNER Step back in time to 1958. It’s February and the Manitoba Curing Championships are starting in Winnipeg for the right to play in the McDonald Brier. Who should be competing but two Jewish boys from the south end of Winnipeg, Terry and Ron Braunstein? Terry was all of 18 while Ron was only 17. Also on the team were Ray Turnbull and Jack Van Hellemond.
The team competing for the Manitoba championship was skipped by Marno Frederickson. Although few expected the youngsters to have gotten this far, there they were in the final and, ultimately, they prevailed. As Manitoba champs they were entitled to compete in Victoria, BC in March of that year in the McDonald Brier.
Now, just getting to participate in the Manitoba playdowns was by itself a bit of good fortune. First, It was only because Terry came home from school in Texas where he was on a track scholarship in Houston that allowed him even to be around, available, and ready to play. Events in Texas had soured him on the University of Houston and that was exacerbated by his asking a black athlete, a running star, for some running tips. The coaches disapproved of that interaction, told Terry so warned him not to do it again. That – plus other factors led Terry to abandon the track programme.
So, Terry packed up, came home to Winnipeg and was out of school for that year as a result. But he had time to curl and the Maple Leaf rink as well as the Granite Club were inviting. It did not hurt that the uncle of the Braunstein boys was Eph Portigal, a mover and shaker at the Maple Leaf Club. In fact, Terry has always made clear, as did Ron, that their uncle Eph was instrumental in teaching the boys some curling strategy, a significant part of every curling game.

To be clear, the boys had curled some before as they grew up for a chunk of their early years in Binscarth, Manitoba where their father, Dr. David Braunstein was a physician.The boys, as they were then, had (and always have had) what might be called some serious athletic genes. Anyone who can remember Dr. Dave will recall that, among his many abilities in sports, he was a fastball star.
That the athletic gene was prominent in the Braunsteins became evident to me long ago. I recall the day when I first came across the Braunstein brothers and was in awe of what they could do athletically. It was about 1955 and the Braunstein family had moved to Winnipeg. They were living temporarily with the Portigals on Wellington Crescent – near my home on Cordova Street. Up until that time, I fancied myself as a bit of an athlete. Then I met Ron and Terry Braunstein. I saw them playing baseball on Wellington Crescent so easily and smoothly as if they were born with a glove in utero. Right then and there, at age 12, I realized, just how lousy I really was. I have always commented that, of the people I knew personally, the Braunsteins were the best athletes I had ever seen to that point. Of course, in truth, the range of my relationships at that time was slender, so they had few to compete with on my radar screen.

Now, the story of even getting to compete for the Manitoba Curling Championships was more complicated as the team had their lead drop out at the last minute. The rest of the team needed a replacement and had about 24 hours to submit a new name or they would not be allowed to enter. Terry remembered playing against a young kid earlier who had impressed him, but didn’t know how to reach him. “Him” was Jack Van Hellemond, not yet 16. Terry thought that Jack curled at the Belgian Club so he went there that night and luckily found Jack, invited him to play on his team. Jack agreed, but Terry still had to get consent from Jack’s parents and the principal at his school. All of that happened in less than 24 hours.
In any event, the boys did get in, with Ray Turnbull as second, Ron as third and Terry as skip. Not for a second did any of them think they would win the Manitoba Curling Championship event. In the end though, they were victorious at the Winnipeg Arena. I was there and that is a memory etched in my mind.

Off to Victoria in March of 1958 they went and again, nobody thought they had a real chance of winning the Brier. Yet, they played so well that at the end of the week, their team ended in a tie with one of the legends of the game, Alberta’s Matt Baldwin. That forced a sudden death championship, winner take all. I recall sitting close to my radio following every shot as the game progressed. I was crestfallen when they lost in a very tight match. But, as a sports writer then for the Kelvin High School Et Cetera newspaper, as it was then called, I had the chance to write a column for the paper which had the headline “ Braunsteins on the Broom.” It was my first real writing experience that led to the publication of an article about the trip to the Brier for the Braunstein rink. Terry had graduated from Kelvin while Ron was still a student there. I thank Ron and Terry for the part they played, even if was inadvertent, in my budding writing career. This article just revisits that time and place.

The entry of the young Braunsteins into what was then the main event in the world of curling in 1958 caused a major change in the rules of the Canadian Curling Association. That a team with two 18-year-olds, as in Terry and Ray, a 17-year-old in Ron, and the 16-year-old Jack, could compete with adult men was too much for the veterans of the game, so a separate junior competition was created, which exists to this day. Thank the Braunsteins for that rule change.

And yet, that defeat in 1958 did not deter the Braunstein brothers at all as they continued to compete for many more years, ultimately winning Manitoba again in 1965 and going once more to the Brier, this time in Saskatoon. They had an almost unblemished record and won the Canadian championship with a team consisting of Terry as skip, the very well known Don Duguid as third, Ron at second and Ray Turnbull as lead. That was a big day for the boys, the Granite Curling Club and indeed Jews all over the Province of Manitoba who shared the moment vicariously with the Braunsteins. Unfortunately, the team lost in the World Championship in Scotland to a USA team skipped by Bud Somerville. That Ron had to bow out of the event owing to his medial school obligations might have been the factor that caused that loss. We will never know. What we can suggest however, is the fact that the USA win jump started the game in the USA, eventually createing an impetus to get Curling recognized officially as a sport in the 1998 Winter Olympics. Thank the Braunsteins (even in defeat) for that contribution.

The Braunsteins also changed the game slightly when they adopted a more finesse style rather than the hitting game so prevalent until that time. Maybe that change allowed the team to be so dominant. Whatever the reason, what is certain is that when Terry Braunstein won the Canadian Curling Championship in 1965 he was then the youngest skip to win it at age 25, also the first Jewish skip to win. My best guess is that brother Ron Braunstein was the first Jew to win as a second. Prove me wrong.

Even after 1965, Terry continued to be a major player in Manitoba for many years in the curling community. He had to play without Ron, as Ron had continued his medical career and ended up, after a stint in L.A., moving to Vancouver. Terry participated in 14 Manitoba Provincial Championships. He won three car bonspiels and several cash bonspiels, as well as the Grand Aggregate for most victories in the Provincial play downs in 1969, 1971 and 1977. And there were other honours bestowed upon him throughout his carer, including an induction into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, an honour given later to Ron in 2013. Even as a senior Terry Braunstein excelled, competing in several Provincial Championships. In 1994 and 1995 his rink won the Manitoba Seniors’ Championionship. He even participated in the Master’s competition in 2006.

Now, curling was far from the only sport the brothers starred in, as baseball was at least as great a passion for them – and they played at a high level. They loved baseball as they were raised on it by their father. Moreover, both Ron and Terry became very good golfers ( though Ron was quite clear that he was never in Terry’s league). Of course, during all this time, both brothers had careers in which they were involved for a long time. Ron was a prominent psychiatrist in Vancouver, working in a Vancouver hospital for most of his career in the outpatient child and adolescent department. During his career he was significantly committed to the training of young psychiatrists. Given that there is so much thinking in the world of curling, I suggest that it is not such a long stretch from curling to psychiatry. That suggestion would need input from Ron and others who have had two kinds of careers. Save that thought for another article.

Ron only recently retired after over 50 years of medical practice. He and his first wife, the lated Sue Harris, had three children, all of whom live in the Vancouver area. And to nobody’s surprise, the kids are seriously athletic. The eldest, Jon Braunstein, was, and is still a serious runner, as in marathons. Daughter Amy played competitive soccer in British Columbia. Son Dave, the youngest, competes regularly in Ultima. Some genes never change.

As for Terry, he was the founder and head honcho for Danli Promotions, a specialty advertising firm in Winnipeg and beyond. Danli, of course was named for son Danny and daughter Lisa, the children of Terry and his wife, the former Andrea Greenberg. Danny ultimately joined him in the business and is still active in the promotional industry to this day. My son Ari tells me that Danny is a star on the Squash court.

The Braunsteins have achieved much in sport, particularly curling. But if you talked to both of the brothers, you would know little of their accomplishments, as they remain very humble about what they did. That too is a Braunstein gene. They may be quiet about it. I am not.

It’s so easy when the topic of fashion comes up to look toward Paris and Milan as the high fashion Meccas – but there are some other places that have some great fashion and are doing some cool things with said fashion. Places like Canada! Yes, you had that right, Canada. With its diverse cultures, immigrants, history, and influence from the globe, there is quite a lot of fashion that is absolutely something any self-respecting, curious, and creative fashion person would want to look at. Let’s peek into Canadian fashion, shall we?

A Celebration of Seasons

The climate is one of the essential contributors to Canadian style. Bound to an environment that shifts between freezing winters and cool summers, designers have figured out how to plan outfits that suit any period of the year. Beanies and lofty sweaters keep you warm in the lifeless of winter and light breezy materials for a blistering July.

When it comes to Canadian fashion, you need to pay attention to the elements. In Canada, you can never have too many coats! Look for top-quality options that will last you years. When you want to take on the Rockies or downtown Vancouver you’re going to need a trim-fitting parka or a chic wool coat. Whatever the weather, be prepared!

The Influence of Indigenous Art

Indigenous art is a cornerstone of Canadian fashion. Many designers incorporate traditional patterns, beadwork, and textiles in modern designs that speak to the cultural legacy of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

Buying Indigenous-owned brands is a way to bring an extra layer of authenticity and purpose to your wardrobe. Plus, you’ll find these pieces give the style a whole new meaning with clothes that make a powerful statement.

Urban Meets Nature

Canada has several metropolitan fashion hubs – such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, where street-savvy style meets the great outdoors. Layering is a must-have for Canadian clothing; mixing slim fits with practical accessories such as scarves and boots means you’re covered in case the weather throws you a curveball.

For those who draw style inspiration from easy, breezy coastal cities, aim for casual cool with denim and flannel, plus off-duty sneakers that go well with everything. Meanwhile, the style-savvy women of Montreal gravitate toward lively prints, fitted jackets, and daring looks that dare to be different.

Canadian Fashion on the Global Stage

Canadian designers have been taking over the world fashion stage, from the modern simplicity of Smythe Blazers to the avant-garde vision of Erdem Moralıoğlu. The Canadian-style aesthetic hits the nail on the head while appealing to a global audience.

Style That Draws From Casino/Gambler Culture

If you find yourself attracted to the odd casino visit or you often find yourself on https://ca.crazyvegas.com/online-blackjack/, then you probably not only like the games themselves but the aesthetic and the fashion. Canadian fashion draws from this high-roller, over-the-top, yet luxury fashion. Think of the Oceans 11 here — and looking dapper like George Clooney!

Embrace the Canadian Fashion Spirit

There is a lot bubbling in the fashion scene in Canada that is often overlooked – but it really shouldn’t be. Between the Indigenous, global, and modern mixes that are coming together to create quite the unique fashion concoction – there is really a lot to love, draw some inspiration from and well – wear!

Online casino gaming does more than contribute to the convenience of accessing casino games without having to drive to a physical location. Accessing web-based casino games also has a positive environmental impact in various ways. Let’s discuss how live roulette, in particular, has been reducing environmental impact over time.

Reduced Carbon Footprint From No Travel

Playing live roulette online on sites like christchurchcasino.com is already an eco-friendly activity because you are not contributing much to your carbon footprint by driving or taking an airplane to a physical casino Some individuals travel far by vehicle or aerial travel to popular casino gaming venues like Monaco and Las Vegas to experience the casino nightlife playing roulette in person. Instead, take the more economical approach by playing online live roulette to reduce your carbon footprint and save on gas and travel expenses.

Energy Savings In Physical Infrastructure

Operating a casino with many gaming machines and live dealer tables. High-energy facilities that have to operate many lights, air conditioning, cash registers, and other machinery can run up to thousands of dollars per month.

Live roulette games do not take as much cost to operate, therefore lessening the energy expended. The only associated costs are the cameras for live streaming, paying the roulette dealers currently on the clock, and the technology behind making the live streams possible to the casino website or mobile app.

Low Energy Consumption for Roulette Players

Not as much energy is expended when playing live roulette on a mobile device or laptop. An Internet router also does not put out much energy to operate accordingly for a Wi-Fi signal. Even less energy is expended if the player has a smartphone with a data network without having to operate a Wi-Fi router at home. Since many individuals already utilize their mobile devices daily that expend much less energy, this is still substantially less of a carbon footprint contribution than operating high-energy physical casinos.

Reduced Waste from Casino Operations

Rather than frequenting a large casino that causes a lot of waste, stay home and play live roulette. Casinos have to discard food and other trash accumulated from participating players. There’s also old marketing materials and paper and plastic waste from bringing in new casino and office supplies into the workplace. Casinos operate with just a website for players to remotely bet on reducing their waste output substantially because there are no people to serve in-person. Instead of paper receipts generated from bankroll deposits like at an in-person casino, everything is digitized and sent to a player’s email for reference and records.

More Sustainable Gaming Technologies

Live roulette gaming servers are always trying to enhance their sustainable gaming technologies to enhance overall energy efficiency for when ers participate on their platform. Cloud-based technology and greener technology help to power live roulette games without expending as much energy and minimizing environmental impact along the way. The greenest data utilizes renewable energy sources for a more positive carbon footprint within a casino’s technical infrastructures.

Reduced Need for Casino Expansion

As online casino gaming, including live roulette, enhances in prominence, there is less of a need for casino expansion worldwide. Building new casinos requires extensive usage of materials including concrete and steel for a strong infrastructure. By bringing the online casino experience remotely to players, resources can be utilized more strategically for other needed physical businesses. This also helps to save the local ecosystem by reducing the need to build new casino resorts. Live roulette players can feel like they are at a physical casino while gaming from the comfort of wherever they currently are with access from their mobile devices.