Each and every year as the season changes from winter (not my favourite season) to spring, I get excited about the things that are coming. First and foremost, I anticipate elevation in the ambient temperature. When I was younger I used to get involved in snowshoeing and skiing as well as other winter sports, but these days the greatest winter sport that I get into is shovelling snow and that is one I would gladly forego. But, with spring coming comes the excitement of getting outside more and seeing all of the newness that comes with it.
Here in Meota there are a few signs of spring that are showing up to get our levels of excitement going. A large number of migrant birds showed up even as far as three and a half weeks ago. The geese were here in good numbers already and now the robins are starting to serenade us. Another sign around our house is that I have changed up my wardrobe drawers. Yes the wool socks are stored away until fall and I am wearing my shorts again which Brenda takes as a definite sign that the season has changed.
Another good sign of spring is that the Lions car sink is up to speed with the environmentally friendly car sitting out on its usual spot just out from the boat launch. Tickets are available from any Meota Lakeshore Lions member as well as at the café, credit union and the insurance agency. This is a great fundraiser for the group and gives the rest of us a chance to warm up our crystal ball and see if we can predict the date when it will go down. In past years I have come as close as picking the right day but not the hour and as far away as a week. I wonder if there is a tune up service for crystal balls.
On April the third Meota ADRA had its annual meeting that all residents of the area were welcome to attend. Nine people from the community attended to discuss numerous items in regard to ADRA'S activities. The largest discussions centered around how the demographics of the community have evolved from a time in the past where youth sports were a large part of what was co-coordinated by the organization.
At that time, there were many uniforms purchased and ball teams travelled from here to surrounding areas. In the last few years there are not enough kids available to form one team let alone have enough to support the multiple teams that were here. This was just one example of the changes as Meota has changed from a traditional community to a bedroom community.
At this meeting one of the goals was to elect a new executive. This was not achieved since there was no one interested in taking over the role of president. Over the last few years, ever since I joined ADRA, we have had around four or five people attending meetings and it has meant we were all pushed since we were such a limited group. We have been lucky as of late to have three new members joining but they have only been there for a couple of meetings at the most and thus did not feel versed enough in the operation to take on a lead role.
Lexie Lessard, who has been the president for the last couple of years, has had to back down due to personal reasons though she will stay on the committee. I was the vice-president, but have decided due to changes in my health that I must resign, thus that leaves only a few of the old guard, who have worked hard in the past and could be considered to be on the verge of burn out, left.
As you can see that does not leave ADRA in a very good position to carry on. Thus, at the end of the meeting it was somewhat decided that some time had to be spent trying to get more new members to bring the group up to a working number that will allow it to continue in a functional way. If that works out then an executive can be struck. If not, that will mean that this group will cease to be an entity in Meota.
In this light I hope there are some residents who are reading this who will feel they have some time to give and will step forward to give of their time. If not we are not sure of what will become of the activities that Meota's recreation board have organized and the good work that has been done here. And, if you don't know what has been done, I encourage you to talk with some of us who have been on the board and we will gladly fill you in. Members you could ask are: Pearl Hawkins, Lexie Lessard, Debbie Oborowsky, Patricia Craddock and myself. There are newer members, but as I mentioned, they have just come on and are trying to get themselves going.
In contract bridge Feb 27, first place was taken by Joyce Antoine with Robert Iverson coming in second. March 19, it was Trudy Iverson taking first with Linda Ard placing second. March 26, it was Frank Antoine in first with Joyce Antoine in second. Finally, on April 2, Robert Iverson took first with Eric Callbeck coming second.
In Kaiser play March 29, first place went to Beulah Corbeil, second to Adele Feschuk, third to Linda Ard and fourth went to Teta Harty.
In canasta March 30, winners were Gwen Lacerte and Linda Ard.
In duplicate bridge April 3 the winning team was made up of Glenn and Julie Moore with Mary Greenwald and Frank Antoine taking second.
Quote: "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right." Ralph Waldo Emerson
