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The enthralling account of the attempt to revive a drowning victim – as written at the time by Dr. John Eadie

The late Dr. John Eadie
He was to become Manitoba’s Director
of Epidemiology, but when he wrote
the account of a drowning, he was writing
as a cottager in the Whiteshell area.

By BERNIE BELLAN Fascinated as I was by the story I had received from Reid Linney about Aron Katz, there was something else attached to the information about Aron Katz that was equally compelling: A vivid account of an attempt to revive a drowning victim, also in Big Whiteshell Lake (which is where Aron Katz drowned). It turns out that, subsequent to publishing the story of Aron Katz’s life – and tragic death, in our Aug. 3 print issue, we received information that confirmed the drowning victim in the account you are about to read could not have been Aron Katz.

What happened was that years ago, Dr. Gerald (Yosel) Minuk, who was also a classmate of Reid Linney and Aron Katz at St. John’s, had read an account of a drowning in Big Whiteshell Lake in a book titled It was a photocopy of something that, as Gerald (Yosel) Minuk subsequently explained to me in an email, had appeared in a book titled “History and Folklore of the Whiteshell Park North,” which his wife happened to buy from a woman going door to door selling copies of the book about cottage life in the Whiteshell area.
After Dr. Minuk had read Dr. Eadie’s chapter in the book, titled “Triumph and Disaster,” he was certain that the story Dr. Eadie tells must have been that of Aron Katz’s drowning. He sent a photocopy of the chapter to Reid Linney who, in turn, sent it to me.

It turn out the author of the story, Dr. John Eadie,  was a Director of Public Health in Manitoba who would eventually became the Director of Epidemiology for the Province of Manitoba.
In his obituary, it notes that Dr. Eadie, who died in 2014, was born in England, studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Burma/Rangoon during the Second World War.
in 1950 Dr. Eadie and his family moved to Portage la Prairie. “In 1955 the family moved to Winnipeg, and later he purchased a cabin on Big Whiteshell Lake, where he would spend his retirement years exulting in family and his beloved outdoors,” his obituary notes.
I’ve decided to reprint Dr. Eadie’s entire account of what happened one summer day in the Big Whiteshell. However, as you’ll see once you start to read Dr. Eadie’s account, he says that what happened occurred on a Sunday – and that he decided to record his recollection of the day’s events at 4:00 am the following day, which would have made that a Monday. Aron Katz drowned on a Tuesday – and, as you’ll see at the end of this story, Dr. Eadie’s own daughter, Sheelagh, offered further evidence that the drowning victim described in the story you are about to read was not Aron Katz.

Here is Dr. Eadie’s story:
BIG WHITESHELL LAKE
JOHN A. EADIE
LOT 8 BLOCK 4
TRIUMPH AND DISASTER

“A normally busy Sunday at the lake started, for me , at about 7:30 a.m., when I took my wife’s dog for a run up to the ‘mountain’ behind our cottage. After a rest to admire the start of another ‘Sunny Manitoba Morning,’ without a cloud in the sky – back downhill, with Tuffy in the lead, to breakfast alone, listening to the world political situation on C.B.W., as was my custom.
“A quick shave and out to do chores – gas up in readiness for a day’s water-skiing, etc. Still no one else astir in the cottage. So out comes the axe and finally dispose of that poplar stump that should wake someone.
“Now the boys are astir and we’re off water-skiing. The water’s a bit choppy and there’s plenty of traffic – so I do most of the driving. Kenny goes first – an old pro at 13 years, followed by his friend Lars – skiing for 24 hours, but keen to catch up. Then Maria – a beginner, but too shy to tell us to speed it up for her. Irene and Carmen – prospective sisters-in-law to my two older boys – go up double.
(At this point the story is cut off. It resumes here:)
“A swim to the point with my wife, Pat, and a friendly visit with the neighbours.
“Great Scot – it’s 3:30 p.m – so we’re up to grab some lunch. When that’s over, the day’s activities tell their tale and I drop off for 40 winks.
“A thunder of feet up the stairs, ‘Dad, there’s a drowning at the dock!’”
“Up and moving. Grab the keys – to the wagon – drive to the dock. The kids beat me to it by boat – tell me it’s out at the diving dock, but they take me over by boat – 13-year-olds think fast and act with purpose.
“At the floating dock – signs of tragedy. A lifeless young man in his prime, the centre of earnest ineffective efforts at artificial respiration and cardio massage. What to do? Find out what the chances are or try to improve the resuscitation techniques? I’ll have to try both, somehow.
“ ‘ How long was he under?’ – ’15 minutes – maybe 10 – maybe eight – Who had a watch – how accurate are the estimates?’ (five minutes is the limit.)
“ ‘Is he breathing “No!’
“ ‘ Any pulse?’ ‘Yes,’ says Nurse.
“ ‘Is his airway clear? Are we getting air into his lungs?’ ‘Not much!’
“ ‘OK – four men get an arm or leg up and lift him, head down, feet up. You “Nurse” – (she wasn’t, but we didn’t know for an hour) – help clean out the mouth of blood and vomit. Quick – back down – on his back and start massage and breathing.’ Not good – take over breathing and show breather how to get a good breath in – chest rises – ‘OK? Now you try it. Get the rhythm 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005 – breathe. Repeat – a beat a second and a breath every five beats.’
“Am doing the massage – ‘Who can take over?’ ‘I will,’ says a voice – strong and confident – and he has the build to see us through to Pinawa. ‘OK – use the butt of the palms, quick beats – right on the breast bone – see?’ ‘OK!’ – tries it.
“Nurse reports femoral pulses – colour poor – pupils not good. To continue or stop?
“No one knew how long he was under for sure – he’s turning pink after being tipped up a couple of time and improving technique. OK – he has a chance – let’s give it to him.
“Time to look to the next step. ‘We need a hard board and four men to help lift.’ ‘Here we are!’ A surfboard appears – ‘We need a boat to get him to main dock.’ ‘OK- change boats – yours is biggest. Can you bring it alongside?’ ‘Did anyone send for ambulance or Mounties?’
(At this point the story is cut off again. It resumes here:)
“new catch phrase -KEEP the SYSTEM GOING. ‘If you’re tired ask for relief.”
“ ‘When we move him onto the surfboard after the next breath – hold it, he’s filling up again – tip him up and clean him out. Well done!’ Back to the SYSTEM. It’s going again.
“ ‘OK, now move him on to the board after next breath – 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005 – Breath – MOVE!’ He’s on the board – KEEP the SYSTEM GOING.
“ “Next move – move the board on to the boat – head to front – breather and cardiac massager keep going. After next breath MOVE but KEEP THE SYSTEM GOING.’ He’s in the boat – the two men on the outside fall in the lake and get left behind. Nobody laughs.
“We’re moving – to the main dock. On to dock –
“ Get the crowd out of the way!’ Someone does.
“ OK. Four men move him down the dock, but KEEP the SYSTEM GOING!’
“ ‘Who’ll drive my wagon?’ – ‘I will.’ – ‘Here’s the keys – the blue wagon’ – back it on to the dock – tailgate down – four movers ready – into the wagon and the SYSTEM KEEPS GOING.
“Nurse” asks privately – ‘What are his chances?’ – ‘Just about zero.’
“The Mounties are here, flashing lights and the works.
“ ‘We need water in a cooler – bucket – anything.’ They appear.
“We’re off.
“ ‘Hey, not so fast – watch the corners – we can’t do massage at that speed.’ We’re all on our knees – never knew steel deck was so hard on knees, especially on corners and on my cartilage scar.
“ ‘OK – relieve the breather!’ ‘I’m OK, Doc.’
“ ‘You can’t do it all yourself – take a break and come back stronger.’ ‘OK.’
“He’s getting pinker – He’s got femoral pulses. His pupils seem smaller, are they really? Wish I had my glasses! ‘Good work –keep it up – Keep it up – change breather – change massager – keep it up. Get a rest.’
“A young guy in his car gets between us the Mounties and won’t pull over, despite our lights and horn. The Mounties radio ahead and he’s invited to stop for a ticket at Seven Sisters.
“Half hour to Pinawa. Twenty minutes to Pinawa. Ten minutes to Pinawa. He’s still pink, still got a pulse. But, what about those pupils? Keep it up. ‘Breather rest so you can take over again at Pinawa.’
(Cut off again. Resumes here:)
“femoral pulse – but hold it – those pupils are dilated and fixed and have been for half hour or more. Don’t tell the team – yes, we’re a team now – everyone knows his job and does it well.
“Last time – KEEP the SYSTEM GOING – back in to the Emergency door. A word with Pinawa doctor – into Emergency.
“Electro-cardiogram shows he still has pulses, still was pink – without the system pulses become few and weak – pupils still dilated. The patient is dead. DISASTER! Or is it triumph? – Seven total strangers – who didn’t even know each others’ names – worked themselves into a team in three hours of desperate effort for a patient whose name they didn’t know.
“When the verdict was finally announced – that he was dead – despite pulses and pink colour – the Nurse looked around the room and there wasn’t a dry eye to be seen. For a stranger? Who is a stranger?
“The dilated pupils showed the patient’s brain had died before he was pulled from the water He’d been down too long – but who could be sure? He had a chance – we gave it to him – but it didn’t work out.
“The team was totally exhausted. After a wash up and juice or coffee the Mounties took our statements His girlfriend’s father came in to thank us – she was too distraught.
“Then home to family and friends, bucking traffic all the way back to Big Whiteshell – where there is still no lifeguard!
“Dozens of these helpers who gave instant action and response to requests should not be forgotten.
“But for the seven people – four men: an orderly, a policeman, president of the Campers Association, and the doctor; three ladies: a nurse, an accountant, and a housewife we thought was a nurse – it will remain TRIUMPH AND DISASTER.
“(Above disjointed notes written at 4:00 am the following morning, when I couldn’t get b
ack to sleep for the drama going round and round in my mind.”)

Post script: As mentioned at the beginning of this story, despite the many similarities between Aron Katz’s drowning and the drowning described in Dr. Eadie’s account – which had led Dr. Minuk to assume that the account was indeed that of Aron Katz’s drowning, subsequent to publishing this story in the Aug. 3 print issue of The Jewish Post & News, we received an email that had been written by Dr. Eadie’s daughter, Sheelagh. In it Sheelagh wrote: “I am thinking that Aron is not the person John assisted.
Aron died on a Tuesday and given that Dad wrote his notes right away and refers to it being a Sunday it is not likely that he would confuse the day of the week. As noted this is a discrepancy that is noteworthy.
“Secondly, he refers to his son, Ken, as being 13 but in July 1973, he was 11 going on 12.
“Dad was a precise person, not sure that detail would be altered.”

 

 

 

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Features

Jewish Entrepreneurship: Navigating Business Success in Canada

Canada has lots of businesses with creative people from different backgrounds. Some of these entrepreneurs are Jewish, and they have made a special mark on Canada’s economy. Before you get into the details, check out Betamo for the latest odds on live sports betting.

The Genesis of Entrepreneurship
Arriving in Canada, Jewish people worked hard and began businesses during challenging times. They wanted to make money and help Canada grow. This early effort still affects how Jewish people do business and has a lasting impact on Canada.

Jewish immigrants in Canada began small businesses. Today, their entrepreneurial spirit continues. They’ve adapted well and play a big role in different industries. These entrepreneurs are innovative, adaptable, and committed to business and community success. Over time, Jewish entrepreneurship has strongly influenced and improved the Canadian economy.

From Mom-and-Pop Shops to Tech Innovators
Jewish businesses in Canada have often started small and grown big. Many businesses began as family-run shops, like corner stores and tailoring shops. They didn’t just make money, but also brought communities together.

Entrepreneurs continue to thrive, especially in technology today. They’ve seamlessly entered the tech industry, bringing new ideas and making significant contributions. This highlights the enduring impact of Jewish entrepreneurship on Canada’s ever-changing business scene.

Overcoming Challenges with Tenacity
Jewish entrepreneurs in Canada face challenges, especially during economic downturns. They use their skills and determination to navigate unpredictable market changes. Despite tough times, they demonstrate the ability to handle adversity. Being resilient is important. It helps them learn from challenges and use them as opportunities for new ideas.

The strong determination of Jewish entrepreneurs in Canada helps them keep going, even when things get tough. Instead of giving in to challenges, they use setbacks as a way to move forward and succeed. Facing challenges head-on makes you stronger and can lead to excellence in entrepreneurship.

Building Bridges through Philanthropy
Jewish entrepreneurs succeed by giving back to their communities. It’s not just about business; it reflects their cultural values. As they do well in business, helping communities becomes a priority. Success means more than personal achievements; it’s about making society better for everyone.

Cultivating Mentorship and Networking
In Jewish entrepreneurship, mentorship and networking are key. Entrepreneurs help each other out and build relationships beyond business. Within this community, mentorship is vital. It’s about passing down knowledge and experience to the next generation. This supportive culture keeps innovation and success going strong.

Within many Canadian Jewish-owned businesses, making connections with mentors and building networks is like creating a strong web. It’s not just about personal growth, but also about making the whole community stronger together. This goes beyond regular business ideas and focuses on forming real, meaningful relationships.

The Role of Jewish Community Institutions
Places like synagogues and cultural centers are important for new entrepreneurs in Canada. They’re not just for religious or cultural activities; they’re also great for businesses to grow. These spots don’t just give a space; they host events and programs to connect people. Jewish entrepreneurs enjoy community places to learn, share ideas, and make friends with people who think alike. Working together in these spots helps Jewish businesses grow all across Canada.

Jewish community places are involved in more than events. They help entrepreneurs by talking, sharing ideas, and creating a friendly community. Synagogues and cultural centers help Jewish business owners succeed and contribute to Canada. These places don’t just talk about business; they encourage it. They create a community where sharing ideas and working together are important for entrepreneurs.

Innovation in the Face of Change
In Canada’s business world, it’s crucial to adapt. Jewish entrepreneurs excel at coming up with new ideas when things change. They use technology to improve their businesses, work faster, and connect with more customers. Focusing on tech helps them stay ahead because not changing can make you fall behind.

Canadian Jewish entrepreneurs care about being eco-friendly. They use green technologies and make sure to get materials in a responsible way. These entrepreneurs don’t just get by; they focus on doing well in both business and society despite changes.

Celebrating Diversity within Jewish Entrepreneurship
Having diverse people isn’t just about having differences; it makes things better. Celebrating how Jewish entrepreneurs think and work creates a society that includes everyone. Appreciating each entrepreneur’s skills brings new ideas and success. Different ideas make businesses better and bring people together.

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Features

The secret to maintaining a healthy and balanced diet for your family

The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is starting young. As people with heart-related conditions increase, parents must instill healthy eating habits that can be a bonus for their children.
This article explores the importance of developing a healthy heart health plan from the very beginning. It will introduce you to some of the key ingredients that can help strengthen your family’s diet.
The Bedrock of Heart Health Begins in Youth
Getting the message about heart health early in life is very important to help children develop a healthy lifestyle. It can help them make informed decisions when it comes to their diet. This is also about creating a culture that values the importance of healthy eating.
The Power of Seafood in a Heart-Healthy Diet
One of the most important components of a healthy diet is the addition of seafood. Fish, such as salmon, tuna, and sardines, are rich in omega-3 fats, which can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Even though these common choices are great, the magic doesn’t stop there. There are also countless other ways to enjoy seafood that could be more well-known.
Seafood Gumbo: A Heart-Healthy Culinary Delight
One of the most popular ways to enjoy seafood is through a seafood gumbo. This dish is filled with hearty ingredients and is a great example of how healthy eating can still taste great.
The addition of seafood in a gumbo recipe provides a potent dose of omega-3 fatty acids. Its healthy ingredients also help boost its nutritional value. This dish can be prepared with a variety of vegetables and is a great addition to any family meal. Having a bowl of this dish can warm the soul and nourish the body.
The Versatility of Seafood in Family Meals
Adding seafood to family meals can have a huge impact on cardiovascular health. There are many ways to prepare seafood dishes that cater to varying palates.
You can create a variety of seafood dishes that are perfect for any family meal, such as shrimp stir-fry, baked cod, and grilled salmon. Each of these dishes has its own unique flavor and nutrients, making them an exciting and nutritious addition to any meal. By teaching children about the various ways to prepare seafood, they can develop an interest in learning more about heart health.
Embracing Whole Grains and Fiber-Rich Foods
Fiber-rich food and whole grains are vital components of the dietary landscape in promoting heart health. Whole wheat, brown rice, and quinoa are examples of foods that are filled with nutrients such as fiber, which can help lower cholesterol.
Being able to incorporate these into family meals is both delicious and simple. For example, adding whole-grain bread or brown rice to a breakfast routine can make a significant impact on the family’s diet.
The Role of Fruits and Vegetables
Vegetables and fruits are vital components of a heart-healthy diet as they contain powerful antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that can help fend off cardiovascular disease.
Creating a colorful “rainbow” on your plate can help ensure that a wide variety of nutrients are consumed. Creative presentation and kids’ participation in the cooking process can make adding vegetables and fruits more fun and appealing.
Limiting Processed Foods and Sugars
While it’s important to include healthy ingredients in the diet, it’s also important to minimize the consumption of processed food and sugary drinks. Their high levels of added sugars, unhealthy fats, and salt can negatively affect one’s heart health.
To minimize the consumption of these products, it’s important that the family is taught about the nutrition labels of food and makes conscious decisions at the grocery store. Doing so can help promote a culture of healthy eating.
The Importance of Regular Physical Activity
A heart-healthy diet and regular physical activity go hand-in-hand. Encouraging the family to get active not only helps promote cardiovascular health, it also fosters a stronger bond among household members. Whether it’s a stroll, a vigorous hike, or a family bonding activity, such activities promote a wholesome heart and a resilient unit.
Cultivating a Heart-Healthy Kitchen
Embracing a heart-healthy diet requires cultivating a supportive environment that encourages the appropriate choices.
Educating the Family
Getting the family informed about the importance of a healthy diet can help motivate everyone to make better decisions.
Creative Cooking
Try incorporating healthy ingredients into recipes that are fun and flavorful. The kitchen should serve as a place of joy and discovery.
Leading by Example
Kids learn by example. Whenever parents make conscious decisions regarding their health, they inspire them to do the same.
Accessibility
Make sure that the ingredients and snacks that are heart-healthy are easily accessible. Healthy options are more likely to be chosen when they are made more accessible.
Building a Supportive Community
Extending beyond the immediate family can also help create a supportive environment that encourages the development of a heart-healthy lifestyle. It can be as simple as joining online forums that are focused on heart-healthy living or sharing recipes with friends. A supportive community helps individuals maintain their commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
The key to creating a heart-healthy diet for the entire family is making conscious choices regarding food. By introducing healthy ingredients such as seafood into their meals, families can have a variety of options that support cardiovascular health.

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Bobbie Rosenfeld: Canada’s Trailblazing Athlete and Advocate

Bobbie Rosenfeld was a force to be reckoned with. Not only was she a phenomenal athlete, excelling in both basketball and baseball, but she also became a fierce advocate for gender equality in sports. Her story is one of exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and a fight for change that paved the way for future generations of female athletes in Canada and beyond.

Early Life and Athletic Beginnings

Rosenfeld grew up in Montreal, Quebec, in a family that instilled a love of sports in her. Her father, a dentist, and her mother, a homemaker, encouraged Bobbie and her younger brother to participate in various athletic activities. Bobbie’s exceptional talent for basketball became evident early on. She honed her skills playing in local leagues and quickly established herself as a standout player. Her height, agility, and strategic mind for the game made her a formidable force on the court.

Meanwhile, Bobbie’s passion for baseball also blossomed. At a time when girls were largely discouraged from playing baseball, Bobbie defied expectations. She joined a boys’ league, disguising herself as a boy named Bobby Rosenfeld. Her talent was undeniable, and she thrived in the competitive environment. However, her true identity was eventually discovered, forcing her out of the league. This incident highlighted the stark gender inequalities prevalent in sports during that era.

Basketball Stardom and International Recognition

Undeterred by the setback in baseball, Bobbie poured her focus into basketball. Her dedication and talent paid off. She played for the Montreal YM-YWHA Wildcats, a dominant team that won numerous provincial and national championships. Bobbie’s exceptional skills earned her a spot on the Canadian women’s national basketball team in 1963. She quickly became a key player, leading the team to victory at the 1964 Pan American Games in Brazil.

Rosenfeld’s international success continued. She was part of the Canadian team participating in the 1967 FIBA World Championship for Women in Czechoslovakia. Though Canada placed sixth, Bobbie’s individual brilliance shone through. She was the tournament’s leading scorer, a testament to her offensive prowess. Her talent and leadership on the court garnered her recognition as one of the best female basketball players in the world.

Basketball fans can elevate their enjoyment of the game with BetVictor Canada by adding excitement and engagement to their viewing experience. By placing bets on their favorite teams and players, fans can feel more connected to the action on the court and have a vested interest in the outcome of the game.

Breaking Barriers

Despite her athletic achievements, Rosenfeld faced constant challenges due to gender discrimination. Female athletes received little to no media coverage compared to their male counterparts. Opportunities for professional careers in women’s sports were virtually nonexistent. Funding for women’s athletic programs was scarce, hindering training and development.

Rosenfeld refused to accept the status quo. She became a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports. She used her platform as a star athlete to speak out against discrimination and demand better opportunities for female athletes. Bobbie and other pioneering women athletes lobbied for increased media coverage, improved funding for women’s sports programs, and the creation of professional leagues for women.

Her fight for equality extended beyond basketball. Rosenfeld and Judith Pogson, another prominent Canadian athlete, played a pivotal role in getting baseball officially recognized as a women’s sport in Canada in 1970. This decision opened doors for countless young girls who, like Rosenfeld, harbored a passion for baseball.

Beyond Athletics

Rosenfeld’s athletic career was tragically cut short in 1970 due to a car accident. However, her impact on Canadian sports and beyond continued to resonate. She became a symbol of athletic excellence and a tireless advocate for gender equality. Her legacy inspired a generation of female athletes to pursue their dreams and challenge the existing structures that limited their opportunities.

In recognition of her achievements, Bobbie Rosenfeld was inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Her story continues to be a source of inspiration for young athletes, particularly girls, who strive for excellence in sports.

Final Thoughts

Bobbie Rosenfeld’s legacy extends far beyond her athletic achievements. She was a trailblazer who fought for equality and paved the way for future generations of female athletes. Her unwavering determination, exceptional talent, and unwavering commitment to social justice continue to inspire athletes and advocates for equality today. Bobbie Rosenfeld’s story reminds us that courage, dedication, and a strong voice can break even the most significant barriers.

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