MAYFAIR — On July 1, Chitek Lake Seniors Sunrise Circle put on a wonderful breakfast with all the trimmings in the local community hall. They served over 300 people (kids 12 and under free) and only ran out of a couple items at the very end. Then, after breakfast, a fantastic, colourful parade was enjoyed with spectators wanting to see it two times. I think with Donald Trump’s remarks about Canada, we citizens are holding true and strong, and putting a lot of effort into attending local activities. Canada’s landscape is envied by many countries, so there is no better place to have a vacation in any of the 10 provinces and three territories.
On July 1, the Ranger school, which was converted to a community hall decades ago, had an abundance of hungry people for a 5 p.m. meal. Ranger district is near Leoville and Chitek Lake. An excellent barbecue supper with an abundance of homemade food was a real treat. The local women’s group usually puts on three events per year, including Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. The hall can be rented throughout the year by anyone. A great evening was spent eating, talking and laughing with so many delightful individuals.
This past Saturday was a day well spent as I travelled to “Grandma’s House” in between Langham and Hepburn. “The Cowboy Way” hosted a three-day weekend on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Organizers Jim and Elaine Tompkins of Rabbit Lake put on a wonderful weekend for cowboys and gals and for the general public who don’t ride horses but wanted to have fun. Part of the advertisement was: “Saddle up for a wild time at the Cowboy Way Trail Ride at Grandma’s house in Saskatchewan, July 11-13. Ride trails along the Saskatchewan River Valley, from beginner-friendly to expert level, and stuff your face with saskatoon berries so good, you’ll want to marry the bushes. Grandma’s house, once a cattle ranch headquarters, has been revamped into a tourist hotspot and we’re throwing a shindig to celebrate.”
There were pancake breakfasts, wiener roasts, potluck suppers and big-name entertainment and bonfires under the stars. Before supper on Saturday, cowboy church was an added attraction with pastor Rick Marten from Prince Albert. Saskatoon berry bushes were abundant. With a paid admission, one could pick some berries to take home. The hectic wind had the berry bushes' branches swaying in all directions, which made it difficult to pick. But the wind certainly kept the pesky mosquitoes away. There were vendors on site with great handmade merchandise.
Mr. Fred’s comedy was included throughout the three-day function at Grandma’s house.
Owner, Jarvis Bluschke of this 112-year-old picturesque homestead, had it refinished and filled with vintage furniture and other items with much hired help to make this a “gem” on the wide open prairie. He has different Western-type buildings on site to rent for an event, but one can bring their own unit for electrical camping. Please call Jarvis at 306-241-3043 for more information.
The Tompkins are hosting another event at the end of this August at Blue Diamond outdoor resort near Whitkow. Over 40 years ago, Stanley Dudek, who grew up on a farm in the district, purchased a chunk of pasture land from the Tomanek family. Stanley had a vision of making this into a cross-country skiing resort in the winter, along with a large skating rink and tubing on the many hills. He built and moved in old, small houses for cabin rentals. One is an elevator agent's house from Hamlin (six miles north of North Battleford). The name National Grain Elevator Company became obsolete in the 1960s. Various renters occupied the house throughout the following years before Dudek purchased it. He called his newly established business “Whitetail Resort” and later renamed it to “Blue Mountain.” This attracted people from hundreds of miles, travelling to the unique, picturesque country with rolling hills and various sloughs. It was also a well-sought-out summer resort on a small scale with rock climbing, zip lining and hiking. From a small ski rental chalet with his living quarters upstairs, Stanley eventually expanded to a large, lush chalet having a good-sized, equipped kitchen. Wanting to venture to British Columbia with his wife and two young children, he sold it to a church group from Saskatoon who, as of a couple of years ago, resold to a group of Battlefords shareholders.
The name is now Blue Diamond, and yes, this place is like a small “diamond” on the prairies with easy access off Highway 378 northeast of North Battleford. The Tompkins are taking registration for the August three-day weekend, so pick up your phone and please call 306 841-7181. What a great family way to end the summer before children return to school.
Former teacher in Rabbit Lake, Gail Freethy, passed away on July 6 in St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon. She had lived and taught in various places: Glenbush, Kamsack, Kenora, Winnipeg and Wilkie and the last school was in Rabbit Lake. She and her husband, Glen, relocated to Saskatoon in later years. Gail was well known for the extracurricular activities and girls' athletics programs wherever she taught. Condolences to the Freethy family.
If you are having a boring summer so far, get out of the house as there are so many planned events and functions in various communities. It’s even nice for people who have a lot of time to experience a summer drive and end up having a delicious meal in a family-owned restaurant. After all, we all get hungry now and again.
Saskatoon berries are ready for berry picking enthusiasts. There seem to be clumps hanging on the branches. As to what I’ve observed the berries are very large this year. Nothing like homemade berry desserts, jams, jellies and canned fruit. One can even make wine. Garden produce is making for tastier meals these days. We must enjoy the “fruits of our labour.”
