Battlefords News-Optimist

Cards were cancelled at the Maidstone Drop In Centre Jan. 6 because of the extremely cold weather. Bingo was played Jan. 8 with a good turnout. Volunteer callers were Bev Stewart and Jean Hartman. Tillie Linkert provided lunch.

Last week at a budget meeting, North Battleford city councillors were concerned a two per cent increase to residents' sewer rates wouldn't keep up with expensive sewer replacement projects needed in the coming years.

From Feb. 18 to the 22, the Unity curling club will play host to the 2014 Affinity Credit Union Senior Men's and Women's curling playdowns. Senior curling is for players 50 and over.

Ed, my neighbour next door, has a remarkable constitution and attitude. This last week we had wind chills ranging from -40 C to -50 C. It seemed to me that, in that time, I froze up along with my van and neither of us will thaw out.

The Battlefords Orcas Swim Club hosted the 2nd Annual Battlefords Winter Sprint Classic speed swimming meet last weekend at the Co-op Aquatic Centre. Several members of the Orcas team won medals at the event.

Several NDP, co-op and NFU members met for a Christmas party held in Maidstone to hear guest speaker Gil Pedersen report on the Climate Change Citizens' Hearings held in Saskatoon in November, and to honour past member George Danychuk of Maidstone.

The Battlefords Photo Club held their monthly meeting Jan. 7. The club critiqued the monthly photo challenge entries for "winter backlit silhouettes" with Brian Beaubien's Magical Shadow Waltz being chosen as the winner.

This article about young Nate is a little late but still worth reading. It was sent in by Jackie Caldwell. Nate Starycki was born with gastroschisis Feb. 3, 2008. He spent most of his first few years of life in the hospital.

STARS Air Ambulance has received a significant donation from three co-operative organizations: Canadian Western Agribition, the Canadian Bison Association and Bouchard Livestock.

Borden Community Centre Preservation Committee held their third annual snowmobile rally, Jan. 18, with 213 riders registered who went on the 80-mile trail or the 55-mile trail. Free hotdogs and hot chocolate were served at the halfway checkpoint.