The weather is always something to talk about, but until we get some rain we hate to talk about it. Surely some will come soon. Some farmers have put in crop while others claim they will wait for rain before it is any use putting it in. Some gardens are partially planted, and soon they will all be in. At least one can water them, though it is costly. Setting out flowers is risky, too. Forecasts show there may be cold temperatures this week, again. There is a great variety of plants to pick from this year.
It is National Nursing Week with the annual radiothon seeking donations for new aesthetic machines for Battlefords Union Hospital.
It’s always nice to see the country girls riding through town on their ponies/
The spider season in Australia on Facebook showed the trees completely covered with spider webs, like a blanket almost. We hate to run into a tiny, single web, and the sight of these was scary. I watch the weather channel often when there is nothing worth watching on TV, and they have some interesting stories, many of which remind one to be happy with where you live.
Bird watching gets really serious now that the summer beauties are showing up at the feeders. There are red-breasted grosbeaks, hummingbirds and the Baltimore oriole. Each one is exciting to see.
May 19 and 20, Zoom meetings were taking place hosted by Saskatchewan Senior Mechanism on “Positive Aging ‑ Reshaping Care for Older Adults.” This included Revolutionary Approaches to Long-term Care, Protecting Your Respiratory Health, Virtual CarFit, Australian Home Support Report and Mapping the Future.
I have been told again there are no houses for sale in Meota. The market is red-hot right now. As one drives around you see new houses and a double garage going up in Meota and Lakeview, and sold properties being renovated.
Summer traffic has started with big boats arriving, RVs coming in to set up for the summer and I even saw people in the lake this week. We know it wasn’t warm, but are glad they enjoyed it and provided a glimpse of things to come.
The renovation of the Vawn Community Hall is nearing completion and folks are looking forward to holding the fifth annual mud volleyball tournament in July. They are fully booked already. Everyone is anxious to get using the hall again and the day will be most exciting.
A white grizzly bear has shown up in Banff National Park. They are commonly known to be black, brown or even blond. This one is about three years old and known by the park workers to be there, but not advertised until now that a tourist has spotted him, word is out.
Tractor Memories
Walter Tait still occasionally fires up a John Deere tractor purchased from John Dart’s store in Meota on May 15, 1951. It was brand new 70 years ago it cost $2,500.
Bob Colliar , who worked for Dart’s at the time, picked it up at Dart’s store in Glaslyn and delivered it to Meota. It was a long, cold ride. As soon as it was home, Walter unhooked the Minneapolis Moline 17-28 from the five-and-a-half-foot seeding outfit and hooked up the John Deere. Walter says the 35 hp John Deere AR was their only tractor for a while and was used for all farming jobs. It was also sometimes used for pulling neighbours’ vehicles out of the mud or snow on the road around the slough.
Maintenance over the years has included replacement of all the tires at least once. New rings were put in once. Also replaced were the radiator screen, governor flap, seat cushions and a few batteries. It is a short list for all those years.
Walter is one of the pioneers, no doubt. He still has a Scots bride, Mary, and their two daughters, Gail Scorgie and Jane Policha, run the beauty salon in Meota.
Tourist Information
Meota tourist information booth (the Trans Canada Trail building in Meota) had their first meeting May 15. Several interested people came out to find out how it’s going to work. Pat Becotte chaired the meeting, while Warren Iverson fielded many of the questions. From the May long weekend until the end of June, the booth will be open on the weekends. The plan is to have it open seven days a week for the months of July and August. Volunteers were asked to commit to three or six hours so the booth can be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The committee has been hard at work preparing the building and the grounds. There is a new front door and signage has been ordered. They are hoping to get brochures from Meota businesses and organizations. They are still working on getting a porta-potty.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help should contact Warren Iverson, Pat Becotte or Linda Ard.
Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail
Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail had all hands on deck last week. Making sure to be compliant with provincial COVID-19 guidelines was a priority. It was a beautiful day to spend outdoors cleaning up all around the clubhouse. A few hardworking women cleaned windows and doors, as well as all the frames. The inside of the building has had a complete spring clean. Prior to the work bee, a small crew of cleaning volunteers washed walls, the entire kitchen and bar, as well as the bathrooms. The building has been aired out and smells fresh and clean.
The outdoor work took precedence for most of the volunteers. The beach was levelled out prior the to cleanup, but there was still a lot of raking sand and removing sea weed. Luckily there is a new member with a big dump trailer who took three big loads of beach debris and compost away. Boats were moved, the boat house was cleaned up and boat lifts are almost in the water. The pressure washer, whipper snipper and lawnmower were all in continuous use.
It’s true that many hands make light work. It’s also great when there is equipment at hand that can take care of the heavy lifting. All and all, it’s great to see the grounds being maintained for everyone to come and enjoy.
Another wonderful development is the support from the Meota community. Several new members have signed up, with renewed interest in kayaking, paddleboards and sailing. Come check out the boats and boat lifts that are for sale. Better yet, contact Trudy Janssens 1-306-374-0843 for membership information and plan to spend time out on the lake.
