Mary

with Mary McCown-Kobinger

The new host of CBC Manitoba’s Living Winnipeg, Mary McCown-Kobinger is an actor and former associate theatre school director. We get to know the American-born personality better with a little Q & A.

1. You’re originally from Birmingham, Alabama. What lured you to our fine city?
I followed my husband, actually. Nobody thought I would last in this cold climate. Well I showed them—I love it. And what’s even better is my Alabama family and friends love coming to Winnipeg to snowmobile now!

2. What do you love about living in Winnipeg?
Seasons—it’s so exciting to get ready for the changes in weather.

3. Are you homesick for anything?
Going barefoot yearround.

4. What are you looking forward to most as the new host for Living Winnipeg?
Getting to learn and experience this great city—and all the cool people I have been meeting along the way.

5. In the past you’ve hosted a cooking show (Southern Cooking for Alabama Tourism). Is it safe to assume you’re a foodie?
Ohhhh yes! I like to pretend I am hosting a cooking show when I cook at home. My son likes to help me stir. We love cooking! And eating, well, mostly eating actually!

6. You’ve worked a lot with children in the past—will you be introducing any kid-focused segments on the show?
I have some great friends at MTYP and am hoping to introduce some of the many talents there, like mime, mask making and clowning. Hopefully I will get to do some segments with my little boy, Sebastien, too.

7. You’ve done some volunteer work teaching theatre at an orphanage in Haiti—what brought you there and was it like?
Amazing! I went to Haiti to teach, but I learned much more than I taught. Theatre is just a way of life to them. Yes, there is extreme suffering, but often the best art comes from suffering. I left Haiti, but Haiti never left me. I plan on going again when Sebastien is older. I believe (and try to live by, even if I am not always successful) the motto that when you have a lot, a lot is expected of you. I wanted to share something I was passionate about (children and theatre).

8. Your plans for Thanksgiving (Canadian, of course)?
I am a firm believer in adding holidays, not taking away holidays, so I celebrate both Thanksgivings. I plan on cooking all day, tasting all day, eating and then taking a nap with the fam. I will probably cook roast for Canadian Thanksgiving and turkey for the US holiday in November. The Living Winnipeg folks will have to help eat late November leftovers.

9. What is the most important thing viewers will get out of watching Living Winnipeg?
They will discover (or rediscover) along with me all the great things you can do right here in Winnipeg, to live better.

10. Living Winnipeg features a health and wellness component. What do you do to keep balanced?
I make time to enjoy my family, I ride my bike or walk to work every day to sneak in some exercise, and as simple as it sounds, we sit down for dinner each night. One thing I need to do, is to make time for me, stretching or doing yoga maybe. ✪