Gary Sloik settles into his seat at the Portage Golf Club, where a group of seniors now gathers for morning coffee after relocating from their winter spot at the Herman Prior Activity Centre. The tradition, he explains, has bounced between locations for years—starting pre-pandemic at the Canad Inn office, shifting to Herman Prior during COVID-19, and returning to the golf club each summer.
Morning coffee and camaraderie
Sloik, in his third year with the group, notes the routine has persisted for decades. “This is only my third year coming like this, but it’s been going for many, many years,” he says.
Since April 15, they’ve met six days a week at the club, swapping stories over coffee as golfers trickle in.
Health, golf and the weather
Topics range from personal health sagas to local forecasts.
“We’ve got expertise around the table—knees, hips, shoulders, prostates,” Sloik adds with a laugh.
While some members have traded clubs for coffee cups due to arthritis, others still hit the greens. Conversations often turn to anything like comparisons with family elsewhere to local politicians like Jeff Bereza being the second in command in Manitoba for the PCs.
“My daughter’s in Waterloo, and we’ve had way more hot days than they have,” Sloik says. “Henry mentioned the 11th, 12th, and 13th broke records—now they’re calling for snow flurries. Quite a swing.”
Politics, tariffs and cross-border chatter
The group doesn’t shy from national issues. While opinions vary, Sloik says there’s cautious optimism about federal leadership amid trade tensions.
“Most agree we have a pretty good man to lead Canada against the tariffs,” he notes, referencing Prime Minister Mark Carney. Discussions also touch on Portage-la-Prairie’s political ties.
Trade uncertainty dominates, though.
“It’s the on-again, off-again drama,” Sloik says. “If they don’t follow NAFTA 2.0, what’s the sense in making 3.0?”
Some dismiss U.S. fentanyl claims as a “smoke screen,” suggesting border focus should shift to illegal firearms.
A routine built on connection
Between sips of coffee, the group debates everything from logistics for landlocked regions seceding Canada to the weather slumping from a heat wave. For Sloik, it’s less about consensus and more about camaraderie. “It’s talk,” he says. “We hope it’s just talk.”
As temperatures swing, the club’s coffee drinkers remain steady—a testament to routine, resilience, and the art of a good debate.