MAYFAIR — Halfway into May and it is starting to be a good week with more rain in the forecast. The smell of the northern forest fires certainly isn't good news for anybody. There are bedding plants and hanging baskets galore in the gardening centres. Prices sure have skyrocketed along with other merchandise we consumers are purchasing.
The Mother's Day Tea was a roaring success in the small hamlet of Ruddell as I participated with others this past Saturday afternoon. Bedding plants along with Geordie Smith's ornamental welded garden decor were on sale. Master of ceremonies was Colleen Soule who probably knew 95 per cent of the guests made her intermingling personal.
The Ruddell Community Auxiliary hasn't hosted this function in quite a few years and hopefully with the interest it will occur every May. This is a good fundraiser for the hall. The auxiliary started in 1985 and was asked to do a pancake breakfast for the first "Grove Country Fair." At that time the eager bunch of women had to get a name so RCA was established. Now down to six members, this group is trying to keep this community on the map.
Mark your calendars for the third annual quad rally on Moosomin First Nation this Sunday, May 19. Registration is from 10 a.m. to noon. The $40 entry fee includes two meals and many door prizes. There will be 50/50 tickets on site. A guaranteed first prize payout is $2,500 cash down to 10th prize of $100. There are wet and dry trails to challenge all levels of driver adventurousness. For more information call: Gage at 306-480-8975; Will 306-441-3022; Keith 306-441-4832 or Harry 306-490-8805
After a lifetime of devotion to his family, horses and chuckwagon racing, Ray Mitsuing from the Makwa Sahgiehgan First Nation Reserve passed away at the end of April. He entertained many in the chuckwagon business with his stories, jokes, and expertise on the race track. He mentored many wagon drivers and riders. Ray won numerous championships in the famous Calgary Stampede and was well-known throughout North America. He was often on North Battleford exhibition grounds edging out other well-known drivers. His sons are all talented in the chuckwagon/rodeo business. Mitsuing is to be inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2024 in the "Athlete category for Rodeo." One can go onto Facebook and read many reviews of his lifelong passion, illustrating what a wonderful role model Ray Mitsuing was.
Hafford Recreation Board sponsored a Mother's Day breakfast with a good-sized crowd who were appreciative of not having to prepare a morning meal. Many local businesses gave prizes. That just might be an annual event. Many volunteers make for an easier workload.
Other activities are ongoing in Hafford. There is bingo every Tuesday in the seniors’ centre at 7 p.m. Ball has started with scheduling Tuesdays and Thursdays with Radisson and Maymont teams in certain age groups to play against one another. Wednesday there is pickleball in the school gym at 7 p.m. and junior soccer is also slated for this day. Friday, May 24, the Goldenaires Club barbecue is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 between 6 and 7 p.m. the Hafford Vikings Football team is doing a bottle drive as a fundraiser going door to door to pick up bottles, cans and empty milk containers. If one isn't home please leave these on your front doorstep or take them to the school May 30.
Residents have been waiting for the May long weekend to arrive. Well, it's here so the Meeting Lake Regional Park’s concession’s first day is Thursday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. according to Tammy Greewald, manager. Every Tuesday it will be closed. Hours are the same for other days except on Fridays and Saturdays when the concession is open until 9 p.m. There will be a varied menu with lunch specials.
With the good amount of rainfall, the campers and cabin owners welcome the lifting of fire bans. Let's hope for hardly any Saskatchewan fires this year. Bad quality air already from British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba fires over the weekend made it nasty to be outdoors. Stay safe over this long weekend as many motorists will be on the busy highways.
