Condolences to Sally Salisbury (David) on the loss of her 94-year-old mother, who resided in the La Ronge area. She passed away the second week in July and leaves to mourn a large family.
Reilen Venaas graduated from Spiritwood High School on June 30. His parents are Paul and Amanda Salisbury and his grandparents are Sally and David Salisbury. Thirty-seven graduates are in the Class of 2016 for this small town. All the best to Reilen on his future endeavours.
Kody Grigor graduated from North Battleford Comprehensive High School on June 29, receiving the top athletic award of the year and a scholarship. He has been accepted into the agriculture program at the University of Saskatchewan. Proud grandparents are Alice and Doug Grigor of Mayfair, and proud parents are Guy of North Battleford and Lisa Lockhart-Heidel (Dean) of rural North Battleford.
What happens to anxious brides to be and gals needing an elegant gown when a store declares bankruptcy and in the process keeps telling them their orders will be in shortly? "Please wait a few more days and your beautiful dress will arrive." The dress never does! What great frustration for these anxious customers. This is the case of a neighbour girl soon to be married and only finding this out weeks before the wedding. Obviously, the customers are out the deposit on their anticipated order.
In Summerside, P.E.I., business is booming for a restaurant that serves gourmet lobster ice cream poached in molasses butter. The price is $11 per serving.
The countryside is an array of green, yellow and blue. The yellow canola fields are in abundance with fewer blue flax crops that have been seeded. The green has been with us since the middle of April with other cereal crops and grass and trees. Many colourful wildflowers dot the countryside as well, this making the outdoors a kaleidoscope of colour.
Many locals enjoyed the Can-Am Bowl football event in Hafford last Tuesday. It is great to see a small town host such a big event, thanks to the many volunteers who worked endlessly to make this happen. Too bad the weather did not co-operate until the game was over.
The photo that was sent in by Randy Ballendine has captured a lot of interest, mainly because of Gordie Howe's recent passing. Lorena Lafreniere called me to say she recognized her niece Shirley Stevens from North Battleford. Shirley, with short dark hair, is standing next to Howe (to the left). Her parents had purchased a pair of skates, thus enabling Shirley's name to be put into the draw. Her last name is now Clark and she resides in Rimby, Alta.
It appears the weatherman has been generous with the amount of rain the general area has been receiving. Rain seems to make the plants grow much faster than the cold well water. Hail pounded some of the crops, so crop insurance adjusters have been estimating the damage.
Margaret Adam's home had a small group of relatives for lunch six weeks ago when her aunt Mary Froese's ashes were laid to rest beside her husband Pete at the Mullingar Cemetery. Mary's funeral was this past February in Saskatoon. Granddaughter Kim Froese was among the group who had previously made the funeral arrangements.
Wagon treks seem to be popular with people of all ages taking in the sights and sounds of the back countryside. Kim, daughter of Sharon and Peter Babiy, with her husband Mark Brochu hosted a trek at their farm last week. There were 21 wagons and riders doing between 10 to 15 miles every day in the Hafford-Mayfair area. They started from the Brochu farm every day and went in a different direction onto other farmers' pastures and land with permission. The highlight was a large get together in a building built by Mark's dad Paul, who also lives in the Hafford area, the last evening. Everyone enjoyed a catered supper by April Lafreniere and the music was supplied by Calvin Lafreniere, DJ. Paul Brochu has two sisters who come from Quebec to partake in this adventure every year.
Summer means outdoor get togethers. Make this happen with family and friends in your yard and lessen the workload by suggesting every family bring a little something to eat or a really neat activity for people of all ages.
