Last year at this time, 95-year-old retired doctor, WWII vet, and arts lover, Dr. Douglas MacEwan, was busy walking a least a kilometer a day, rain or shine, pandemic notwithstanding. His goal? To raise $96,000 for the arts by walking a kilometer a day for 96 days.
“I wanted to do something to ensure that future generations, including my eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, grow up in a city with a thriving performing arts community,” Dr. MacEwan had explained at the onset of his project.
And indeed, the A Walk for the Arts initiative was a much-needed dose of good news for the arts and the community overall. It not only raised funds for the four major performing arts organizations – the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB), Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (RMTC), Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), and Manitoba Opera (MO) – during that dark time, but also was an inspiration, and provided Dr. MacEwan with many walkers from the arts world who kept him company on his daily jaunt around the neighborhood.
And when November 11 arrived – his 96th birthday – he celebrated by completing the final kilometer of the project. All told, he surpassed his goal and walked 109 km in total, raising $124,107, which was split evenly between the four organizations.
What has the nonagenarian been up to since his history-making walk?
Dr. MacEwan still walks most days and spent the summer working in his grand garden which included 23 varieties of vegetables! Gardening brings Dr. MacEwan much joy and anyone who has seen his garden can attest to its size and scope.
Dr. MacEwan will be 97 this November 11.
If you would like to wish him a happy birthday, please send your greetings to Liz Miller (emiller@mbopera.ca, 204-942-0489), and they will be passed on.
