HAL’S HEADLINES: Stressed out farmers can now get help

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Farmers are a special bunch and we owe them a lot. That’s why I’d like to start this column with a big thank you to them for what they do. There are many jokes about how farmers are never happy but imagine what it must be like for them. They have very little control over the many things that can make or break a growing season. Like right now, it’s too wet, especially for those farmers who still have seeding to do. Talk about stress! I come from a family of farmers who used to just power through whatever came their way. Thank goodness it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. There’s now help for farmers whose mental health is suffering. Like the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program. CEO Gerry Friesen knows all about it. His new book, Recovering Farmer, was written in an effort to try and break the silence around farmers’ mental health. He grew up on a poultry farm near Wawanesa and went on to become a farmer himself who was eventually diagnosed with anxiety and depression. If you’d like to meet Gerry, buy his book and get it signed, he’ll be at Brandon University’s Gathering Space on Monday at 10:30 a.m. All the best, Gerry, and please keep up the great work! And to all you farmers out there, I hope this year’s crops are bountiful and don’t forget, there’s help available if you need it.

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ZENON KLOPICK MEMORIAL

Chris Klopick at Tenderloin Meat on Main is busy getting ready for another golf tournament for his brother Zenon. What began as a round of golf by Chris and a few friends after Zenon passed away, has turned into an annual event that’s raised tens of thousands of dollars for Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. Zenon, who introduced me to Tenderloin’s amazing salami back in my rock radio days, was a great guy. He was also an alcoholic. I think it’s wonderful how Chris and everyone at Tenderloin are trying to help other addicts while also remembering Zenon. The 5th Annual Zenon Klopick Memorial is set for July 5th at Bel Acres. Please call Chris at 204-223-7004 if you’d like to play or sponsor a hole.

OILERS OR PANTHERS?

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So, who will you be cheering for in the Stanley Cup Final when the series gets going Saturday night? Tough call, right? There’s a lot of hatred for the Oilers in Winnipeg and Manitoba but they would be the first Canadian team to hoist the cup in over 30 years. On the other side of it, Panthers head Coach Paul Maurice is a good guy and I suspect most Jets fans are hoping for the best for him. All that aside, the Edmonton/Florida matchup will cover a lot of ground. With a flight distance of 4,088 kilometres between Edmonton, Alberta and Sunrise, Florida, it’s the most distance between opponents in Stanley Cup history.

WHAT WOMEN WANT ON DATES

There’s no doubt about it, dating has become much more difficult. But, guys, there are a few things you can do while on a date with a woman to score big points. According to a new survey…

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-Make sure she gets home safely after the date (59%).
-Put your phone away during one-on-one time (55%).
-Give her sincere compliments (50%).

LATEST IN FASHION

Like skinny jeans and the side part, time has run out for ankle socks. Gen Z says ankle socks are out and crew socks are back in. In Style reports showing off socks is fashionable again. According to the New York Times, we’re living in a sock proud era. In other clothing news, the Wall Street Journal claims the latest in comfy fashion involves jean-printed sweatpants.

WORLD’S OLDEST CAT

A British man claims to have the world’s oldest cat. Leslie Greenhough says Millie, his tortoiseshell kitty, is 29 years old. He credits her long life to lots of treats. Leslie says Millie has never been to the vet and she eats a mix of chicken and Purina cat food. And other than being a little deaf, she’s in perfect health. But if you ask Guinness, the world’s oldest cat is a 28 year old feline named Flossie.

— Hal has written columns for years. He’s also the host of Connecting Winnipeg weekday mornings from 10 to noon on 680 CJOB. You can email him at Hal@HalAnderson.ca.

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