Making Portage Home Again, Part 4 of 4

Colin Doyle

Last week, I introduced you to Portage boy Colin Doyle. Here is the rest of his amazing story, most of it in his own words.

“In 2013, I met Cheryl whom I would marry in 2015. Cheryl had two children, Ethan and Ariana. In 2014, Cheryl was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. She was pregnant with my third child, Kennedy. All of the chemo and radiation, surgeries and stress made for an awful battle. My mom would come and stay with us from Portage to help. Dad had passed away in the spring of 2013, so Mom liked being around us. Kennedy was born healthy in September 2014. Mom was constantly back and forth from Portage to Winnipeg as our household got that much busier. In April 2015, Cheryl was considered cancer free.

“We were ready for a fresh start in a new home and new town. I pitched her the idea of moving to Portage. She had become best friends with my mom the year she was sick and the thought of being closer to her and the rest of my family was important to us both. The schools were good, the people were friendly and purchasing a home was more affordable.

“As it turned out, this was the right move. Just over a year later, in August 2016, Cheryl’s cancer returned in her brain and she was given a year to live. Being back in Portage was very comforting. Family was close and our support network was amazing. At word of her diagnosis, this town rallied around my family. Ethan played for the Trojans hockey team at the time. The parents from the team organized a schedule to have meals delivered to us daily. Kennedy’s daycare stopped charging us for their services. Neighbors, strangers, and friends all made sure our driveway was shoveled and garbage bins brought in. My employer, Irwin Flooring, gave me time off and told me my job would always be there whenever I wanted to return.

“Everyone in Portage stepped up in a big way. My sister organized a fundraiser. The people in this amazing town bought up those tickets within days. The night of the fundraiser, I saw people I hadn’t seen in years. People whom I’d never met introduced themselves and offered their time and resources for anything we may need. People opened their hearts and wallets for one reason, to support one of their own. Local businesses donated all the prizes, food, and beverages. There are too many businesses to list but if it was locally owned, chances are they donated to the cause. It was an amazing night.

“Sadly, in August 2017, Cheryl passed away. The people of Portage once again stepped up to see my family through that time. I am forever grateful to this town and its people for how they responded to a family in crisis.”

Colin’s life came full circle in March of 2019 when he ran into a neighbour from his growing-up years, Colley-Ann Bachalo. They started talking and their relationship took off. They planned a big wedding but ended up getting married in September 2020 in a very small ceremony, thanks to Covid-19.

“That’s right... I got the girl next door!”

Colin says he hears people give the same reasons he had for leaving Portage or saying they’ll never return. To them, he says, “Never say never. If you’re looking to live in a safe, friendly community, then Portage is the place to be. I would especially encourage young families to move here. More people equal more opportunity.”

Based on Galatians 6:2, I believe Portage la Prairie made God pleased and proud with the outpouring of community support and generosity for Colin and his family. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Making Portage Home Again, Part 1 of 4

 

Have you heard it? “I can’t wait to get out of this town and never come back.”

Most often, the sentiment is voiced by teenagers and most often, they are referring to the only town they’ve ever lived in. Still, they somehow know that anywhere would be better than where they are. They almost always manage to leave. I don’t know what the stats reveal for those who truly never return, but occasionally, adults who left their hometown in their late teens or early twenties drift back. On purpose.

I thought it might be fun to interview a few people who have intentionally returned to make Portage la Prairie home again. I put out an invitation on social media and received replies from a surprising number of people who grew up here, left as young adults, and then returned to live. I’m happy to share seven stories with you over the next four weeks from Aldene Moroz, Sharryl Loewen-MacDonald, Dennis McMillan, Linda Kirton, Mitch Moar, Kaitlyn Coates (McDermid), and Colin Doyle. I hope you’ll join us as we recognize what a terrific home we’ve actually got here.

Born and raised in Portage, Aldene Moroz left for the brighter lights and better opportunities of Winnipeg at the age of 18. “Portage gets a bad rap!” she says, recalling wonderful memories of her childhood here, including picnics at Island Park, Lions Pool, and Delta Beach. When she and her husband were ready to retire in 2010, they chose Portage because Aldene’s mother lived here and needed her help. Aldene felt excited and looked forward to reconnecting. She became involved in volunteering and was surprised to land a part time job with Sunset Palliative Care. “I’ve made the nicest friends through swimming and through Weight Watchers. People are very welcoming,” she says.

When people ask why she chose Portage over a city with more cultural opportunities, Aldene tells them, “It’s affordable. Our property taxes are less than half what they were in Winnipeg for the same size home. You can do stuff with that money!”

She also appreciates the community atmosphere. “When I lived in Winnipeg, I would go to city hall and not know a soul. Here, if I stop in at city hall, I probably know five people. I can honestly say I would never move back to Winnipeg. Portage is a gem of a city with lots to offer.”

Aldene says the key to feeling at home is volunteering. “There are lots of opportunities for people to get involved, to help out. You don’t have to stay in your own clique. I’d like to see Portage grow more, see tax incentives for businesses to come here, more variety of restaurants. I hate when people drive to Winnipeg because groceries are cheaper. What about the travel cost? Support local!”

Sharryl Loewen/MacDonald is another recent “returnee” to Portage. Born here, she grew up at Peony Farm and attended Dale Prospect, Yellowquill, and PCI schools where she made many lifelong friends. At 18, she moved to Winnipeg to study nursing at St. Boniface Hospital. In May of 2020, at 63, Sharryl returned to Portage. “Our only daughter had moved here and we wanted to be close to our four grandkids, enjoy them, watch their growth and development on a day-to-day basis.”

Sharryl admits she felt a little uncertain and reluctant at first because her husband is not from Portage. But he wanted to be closer to their daughter and her family, too. “Being born and raised here, I felt comfortable as I had kept up long time friendships, so I came back to my roots.”

She has, of course, seen changes. “We never had a rec center
like Stride Place which is a big bonus for the community. Coming back to Portage in my sixties, I feel I have a better appreciation for my roots.”

More stories next week.

 

A Few Random Thoughts on Community

Our recent move triggered a few more thoughts I feel compelled to share. After this, I promise maybe I’ll move on to something new. Perhaps.

Awesome neighbours

It may be one of the best-kept secrets in Portage la Prairie. The Sunset Drive/Yellowquill Drive neighbourhood is the finest you could want and we will miss it. Each summer, residents hold their garage sales on the same day, ending with a community potluck. They get together at Christmas and send around gifts and cards when someone is sick or bereaved. In the four years we were privileged to live there, we participated in only a few of these events, but felt deeply touched to receive a lovely plant when Jon’s dad died. These folks raise the bar for what it means to be a community and I want to say, keep up the great work and thank you for showing us what a good neighbourhood can look like.

Muscles r us

A priceless crew of friends turned out to move our eclectic belongings and they pulled it off in a morning. (Thanks Nate, Shaun, Laura, Malachi, John, Barb, Nathan, Paul, Ferdi, Evan, Jean-Marc, Alli, and Chris! We appreciate you all.) Stuff flew out of that house and into the new one faster than I could give directions of where it should go.

If only the unpacking went that quickly.

Who knew?

Now that my walk to work takes me over the Tupper Street bridge, I’ve discovered a plaque on each end telling when it was built (1964), who contributed to the cost, and who served on City Council at the time. Did you know its official name is “Skyline Bridge?” I sure didn’t. Wonder why no one ever calls it that?

Prayer Walks

Speaking of neighbourhoods, how do you feel about yours being prayed for? From August 4-11, my church (Portage Alliance) will enter into a 24/7 week of prayer for our town, where people can volunteer to sign up for time slots around the clock and ensure prayers go up for Portage and surrounding communities 24/7, hopefully with no areas getting missed. We have done this many times before, but this time we are taking advantageous of our brief summer and taking it to the streets. 

So don’t be surprised if you see more than the usual number of folks taking a walk past your house or business. You may or may not be able to tell that some of these will be “prayer-walking,” asking God to rain blessings specifically on you and your home, for protection from harm, reduction in crime, and so on. I’ve signed up myself. You don’t need to attend our church to participate. You can sign up or find more information at www.portagechurch.com. Click on “24/7 Prayer.”

I don’t personally know anyone opposed to these prayers being prayed in their corner of town, although I suppose there might be a few. Unlike the “anti-fogging” appeals for mosquitoes, I am not aware of a number you can call to request a “prayer-free” zone around your house. Sorry.

 

It’s hard sometimes to keep believing in what you can’t see, isn’t it? May you see the results of answered prayer in your neighbourhood soon. If you don’t believe in prayer, I assume you at least trust it can’t hurt.