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Rube Helman: Last of the Jewish travelling salesmen?
By MYRON LOVE At the age of 91, Rube Helman remains one of the last of a dying breed: a travelling salesman. It was only two years ago that the long time Garden City resident closed his office at the Marlborough Hotel.
In the middle years of the last century there were a number of occupations that could be considered Jewish niches. In that era, you could find a Jewish-owned grocery store in virtually every neighbourhood in Winnipeg – often with the family living behind the store. And every town or smaller city on the Prairies would have had one or more Jewish-owned and operated general stores/clothing stores.
In Winnipeg – and across Canada – the garment industry was dominated by Jewish entrepreneurs who hired many Jewish immigrants to work for them – and the upholsterers were largely Jewish. So it stands to reason that many of the middlemen connecting Jewish businessmen throughout the region with suppliers would also be Jewish.
“I always liked people and liked to talk to people so I was a natural,” Helman says of his lengthy career in sales.
The proud Winnipegger’s life has mirrored much of the historical Jewish experience in our city. He was born in the early years of the Depression to Polish Jewish immigrants, Abe and Sarah, and grew up on Flora and Powers – the heart of the Jewish North End. While he didn’t attend Jewish school, he received his Jewish learning directly from the esteemed Rabbi Brickman – who was also a shoichet on Flora Avenue.
After graduating from Grade 11 – the last year of high school for most in that era – at St. John’s, Helman recalls his mother urging him to get a job – rathet than trying university – to help support the family. His first job was working for Sid Weidman, who had a restaurant supply business.
After a short time, Helman left Weidman and went to work at the Winnipeg Film Exchange. The Film Echange was the clearing house for all movies that were shown in local theatres through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario. And, just as Hollywood and the movie industry in general was dominated by Jewish studio owners, writers, producers and directors, so too were the Winnipeg Film Exchange and local movie theatres – largely led by members of the Jewish community.
“I started at Warner Brothers,” Helman recalls. “After a short time, I learned about an opening at RKO and was hired by Meyer Nakinson. He later moved to J. Arthur Rank Studios where he worked for a Mr. Geller.
“It was a good experience working in the industry,” he says. “I eventually became an office manager.”
However, all good things come to an end and, by the early 1960s, the golden era of movies was coming to an end. “The growth of television hit the movie business hard,” Helman recalls. “My wife (Rita) began urging me to change direction.”
That new direction turned out to be the beginning of a life as a travelling salesman. Helman’s product line initially was Elgin watches. “I got a call from a guy in Toronto by the name of Roy Frankel,” he recalls. “He was looking for someone to be the Elgin Watch representative in Western Canada. I started on a commission basis. My territory ranged from Thunder Bay to Victoria.”
After 15 years with Elgin, he was approached by the president of Longine to sell that company’s brand of watch. “I was flown to Montreal,” he recounts. “I stayed with Elgin until a replacement could be found. I sold Longine watches for another 35 years.”
Along the way, Helman also added rings and gold to his sales offerings. He tells a funny story about how he came to deal in gold. “I had a heart attack when I was 39,” he says. “While I was recovering in hospital, I got a call from a guy named Louis Brumer, who offered to put me in touch with a fellow in Montreal who was in the gold business. After I was out of hospital, I met the guy from Montreal. We agreed with a handshake that I would be his representative in Western Canada and he also gave me some working capital to get started.”
He says that he continued to deal in gold until the prices “started to go crazy. I had to listen every day to the radio to find out what the price of gold was from day to day.”
Now, as a travelling salesman, Rube Helman wasn’t at home much. “After my heart attack, we bought a cottage at Winnipeg Beach,” he recalls. “The idea was that I would slow down a bit, relax more.”
That didn’t happen. While Rita and the kids (Carla, Mark and Elaine) enjoyed their summers at the beach, Rube, naturally, would be on the road a lot of the time. The lifelong Chevra Mishnayes member did make a point though of almost always being home for Yom Tov.
The impetus for Helman to retire – at the age of 89 – was a notice slipped under his office door by the Marlborough Hotel’s owner that he had sold the building and Rube would have to relocate.
“Rita and I felt that the time had come to close the business,” he says. “It never really felt like a job.”
Although Rube Helman may be officially retired, he notes that he is still available to help out friends and relatives with repairs.
“I know a lot of people,” he says.
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Mobile Casino Trends in 2026: Usage Statistics – What Casino Online Westace Says
Mobile technologies simplify everyday life. They are used for payments, regular conversations, photos, and even gambling. Sites like casino online Westace leverage modern trends and do everything possible to maximize engagement. Adapting familiar gambling games to smartphones makes them more convenient. Visitors can launch slot machines or other entertainment with just a few taps on the screen. Quick rounds let you instantly see the results and choose a different game type. Interactivity is the main approach to development in 2026.
Usage Statistics in 2026
Online casinos are using mobile development technologies to adapt gambling games to smartphones and tablets. Now, almost every user has the opportunity to launch games to test their features in a convenient format. Sites like casino online Westace are not far behind and adapt to various screen layouts. The latest industry news also indicates significant developments:
More than 75% of players use online casino services via mobile devices. Statistics show significant steady growth compared to the figure of 65% in 2023.
It is predicted that revenue from mobile casinos in 2026 will exceed the mark of $ 60 billion. The figure is two-thirds of the market. Thus, positive trends can be identified among gambling software developers.
The younger demographic aged 18 to 35 years old is the most active user of mobile devices. They have twice the level of involvement compared to other categories.
80% of new casino accounts were registered through mobile apps or mobile-optimized websites. This indicates their convenience and widespread use.
Mobile development is a priority for online casinos. Operators work closely with developers to adapt all games to the relevant requirements.
Features of Mobile Casino Growth
Mobile versions of sites like casino online Westace are dominating in 2026 for a reason. Players can enjoy games with real dealers even from small screens. At the same time, the broadcast quality remains at a high level without delays.
All games are designed for touch use. Players can easily use portrait mode and adaptive layouts to launch a comfortable gameplay format. Biometric login and two-factor authentication are essential tools that protect transactions and accounts from unauthorized access.
Mobile gaming encourages more frequent play in small sessions. For example, a player can play one or two games of baccarat, and then later return to play slot machines. All progress is saved on any device. Yes, a player can start playing on a smartphone, save the results, and return via a browser on a computer.
All Interesting Facts to Know
Recently, sites like casino online Westace have been paying more attention to mobility. For example, seasonal slots are launched first through mobile versions, and then move to desktop. Regulators have also introduced mandatory responsible elements for smartphone users for greater control. Mobile players spend 20% more time playing with real dealers. This emphasizes the close attention to interactive formats and communication.
Ultimately, mobile casino versions occupy their own niche in the industry. Most players use smartphones to play on the go and enjoy fast games. Developers adapt to these requirements and improve services, adding relevant options to games.
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Important Keno Rules: Explained by Casino Online Glorion
Keno is a lottery game that originated in China 2,000 years ago. At that time, it was called baige piao, which translates to “white pigeon ticket” in English. Keno rules on sites like Glorion Casino are similar to those of games like lotto. The game involves choosing numbers in the hopes that they will match randomly selected values. In this article, we will discuss the important rules of online keno.
Understanding Keno Rules at Online Casinos
Keno is a game of chance in which players select 1 to 10 numbers from a table of 1 to 80, similar to bingo. After this, the numbers are drawn. The player’s payout depends on how many figures they match.
In classic keno, the drawing is done using a ball machine. The same equipment is used in bingo and lotteries. The host randomly draws 20 numbered balls. Players win if at least one of their chosen numbers matches the dealer’s draw. The more matching numbers, the larger the payout.
Online keno is played using a random number generator (RNG). Keno payouts on sites like Casino Online Glorionare similar to those in the classic game. The differences are due to the drawing procedure and the properties of different versions.
After users select their 20 numbers, the gambling software publishes its 20 figures, which determine the winner. Payout amounts vary across platforms, so users should check them before playing.
Basic Keno Stages in Online Casinos
Users planning to play keno at sites like Casino Online Glorion should be familiar with the gameplay process. Typically, it includes the following stages.
- Select a keno card. The ticket displays numbers from 1 to 80.
- Choose your numbers. In different versions, users select 10, 15, or 20 numbers before each draw. Each number is called a ‘keno spot.’ You can set the same numbers for multiple draws.
- Check the payout table. In the online version of the game, the table appears after selecting the numbers. It displays information about the payout amount if you guess correctly. The more numbers you match, the larger the payout.
- Calculate your bet. Determine how much you want to bet on each draw. Remember that the bet size affects the final payout.
- Start the game. All the drawn numbers will appear somewhere on the screen. Users can also view the “cold” and “hot” keno numbers. Hot numbers have been drawn recently, while cold ones haven’t won for a long time.
- Match the numbers. Experienced players use the term “catching a spot” when their chosen number is drawn. The number of spots you catch affects your payout.
Keno at websites like Casino Online Glorion offers engaging gameplay. Players can get generous prizes. They should learn the rules, odds, and prize structures to make rational decisions and boost their chances of winning. Chase the thrill, but play it smart.
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Common Online Casino Mistakes To Avoid
Online casino games can be a brilliant way to bring excitement to life in your spare time. These games have become hugely popular in recent years, but you will find that people often make the same mistakes. These mistakes can lead to financial losses, cybercrime, and an inferior experience, so it is important to be aware of what these mistakes are so that they can be avoided. This post will outline a few of the most common mistakes people make when playing online casino games and explain how to avoid falling into the same trap. Interested? Keep reading to find out more.
Ignoring Terms & Conditions
One of the biggest mistakes players make with online casino games is ignoring the terms and conditions. You should always take the time to read through these, paying close attention to things like the conditions of bonuses and restrictions in withdrawals. This will help you avoid any nasty surprises when playing games.
Not Researching Casinos
Another common mistake people make is not researching casinos. There are endless options for online casinos, but not all are equal, and there are even many that are unlicensed. Therefore, you need to research casinos and find one that is fully licensed and has positive reviews. The best casinos will have a massive selection of games to choose from, including blackjack online. A wide selection of games means it is hard to get bored, and you can always find something to play.
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Chasing Losses
One of the most dangerous mistakes people make is chasing losses. This is where players will attempt to win back the money they have lost, which often means betting larger sums. This is a dangerous tactic and a slippery slope, so it is important to be aware of it and take measures to protect against it. The best way to avoid chasing losses is to set a budget before each session – if you spend that amount, you need to be able to walk away.
Not Understanding Games
It is always important to have a strong understanding of the game that you are playing. This will boost your chances of winning and your gaming experience. Therefore, you should always read the instructions when playing a game for the first time. For strategic games like poker, there is a lot of information online that will help you get to grips with the basics and learn strategies to use.
Weak Passwords
Cybersecurity needs to be a top priority when it comes to online casino games. The top casinos will have strong cybersecurity measures in place, but you also have a role to play. It is important to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to prevent hackers. It is also smart to avoid having large sums held in your online account in case someone hacks your account.
These are the most common mistakes that you will want to avoid when it comes to online casino games. By avoiding these mistakes, you can improve your experience and enjoy the excitement that these games can bring.