DUBUC - Locals head to warmer climates

We have some sadness for the news again this week. Olive (Simle) McAlpine was born Dec. 22, 1915 at home near Bird's Point Resort in the Qu'Appelle Valley. She married a local boy, Bill McAlpine, and together they spent all their married life as active members of the Dubuc community. Olive passed away Jan. 11 at the Langenburg Centennial Care Home at 97 years of age. A funeral service was held here at home at the Dubuc Worship Centre on Jan. 19 with lunch and a time of fellowship at the Hut following the service. Sympathy is extended to her 3 daughters: Sharon (Dave) Tabbernor of Spy Hill, Deanna McAlpine of Winnipeg MB, and Lorraine (Marcel) Richer also from Winnipeg and their families; her 4 sisters: twins, Martha Simle and Marie Wilson who currently resided at the Langenburg Centennial Care Home with Olive, Ilean Densmore from Delta BC, and Nina Hughes of Regina; all her nieces and nephews and the McAlpine extended family members.

Sympathy of the community to our Cotham friends, Nyle (Gail) Martin and family, on the recent loss of his mom, Esther Martin, on Jan. 19 at the age of 91. She was predeceased by her husband, Dave, and her parents, Harold Simonson and Aasta Nelson (Simonson). Sympathy also to Nyle's siblings: Alvena (Eugene) Unick, Lethbridge, AB; Allan (Darlene) Martin, Swift Current; Maurice Martin, Robb, AB; Bruce (Janet) Martin of Regina and their families.

This seems like a great time to introduce and welcome new residents to the village as well. Keegan Martin and Breanna Danscok have purchased the former Forsberg home on Noel Street and moved in last fall. Keegan works at the mine and Breanna is a CN employee so Dubuc is a central location. It also enables Keegan to be close to home where he can help with the family farming operation. His parents are Nyle and Gail Martin who live in the Qu'Appelle Valley in the Cotham district south of Dubuc. Both Keegan and Breanna are busy working shift work so we haven't seen a lot of them but we hope when the warmer weather and longer daylight hours come, that we will get to know them a lot better.

Garland and Elyse Thiele flew to South Africa just before Christmas for an extended holiday with her family. They did some visiting and enjoyed catching up on news from Elyse's former homeland. Garland returned at the end of January while Elyse stayed behind to spend another few weeks with her children and grandchildren. Get well wishes from the community go out to Garland who has ended up in Regina General Hospital since his arrival home. Elyse has also cut her visit short in South Africa to return home to Canada and is spending some time in Regina where we're sure she is putting her nursing skills to good use. Reports are sounding good and we hope to see you at home very soon, Garland and Elyse!

We were again saddened to hear of the passing of Victor Arnott at the age of 95 at the Lakeside Manor Care Home in Saltcoats on Feb. 2. Our condolences are extended to his daughter, Diane (Marvin) Horachek and their family and the many Arnott family members in our reading area. Many local people attended the funeral service in Esterhazy on Fri., Feb. 8 for this well-known and well-loved gentleman.

A lot of local folks have been fleeing to warmer climates to avoid our Saskatchewan winter: Some to Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Hawaii in the USA, some to Mexico and Costa Rica, some enjoying cruises and sightseeing side trips. Of course, in a small community like Dubuc, we miss these lucky travellers and it seems pretty quiet at coffee row, the monthly potlucks and birthday parties without them.

The monthly community birthday party was held on the fourth Wednesday of the month as usual in January. There was a great turnout - 16 people enjoyed the comraderie of the afternoon. The card game of sevens was played and then a lovely lunch was shared. Mary Forsberg was the only one in attendance with a January birthday and it was actually her birthday that day. She treated everyone to birthday cake, ice cream and strawberries in honor of the occasion. Everyone is welcome to come out to these monthly get-togethers - the more the merrier. The next birthday party is on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.

The February potluck supper was held last Wed. at the Hut with 15 present - a smaller than usual crowd but still a great meal with good company. Margaret Ellwood and Maureen Toth made sure the coffee was brewed in time for supper and all the ladies pitched in to set the table, clean up the meal and do dishes. The door prize winner of a box of valentine chocolates was Nina Moller. Ron McAlpine was this month's 50/50 winner.