There were more warm days to be grateful for this past week. Every nice one makes the winter slip by more quickly and it surely is passing by. We are in February already.
A national vote led by Canadian Geographic and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society has led to the federal government formally recognizing the grey jay as the national bird of Canada as part of this year’s 150th anniversary celebrations. This bird is also known by the name Canada jay and whiskey jack. The five species considered for this honour were the common loon, the snowy owl, the grey jay, the Canada goose and the black-capped chickadee.
Watch for the $10 coin being minted for the 150th anniversary this year that features five steel grain bins in a field of yellow canola with a cloudy sky above. Canada is written across the bottom with the dates 1867-2017.
The date for the Meota Snowmobile Rally is set for Feb. 19. Watch for posters.
Thanks again to the fellows who put up the Christmas lights around the village, and took them down. The surely do add to the cheerfulness of the season.
Contract bridge was played on Jan. 23 at the Do Drop In with top score by Linda Ard and second by Eric Callbeck.
The lady in Leduc, Alta. with the broken elbow, was four hours in surgery and home the second day after, with a new elbow joint. She is able to move her fingers some so is hoping she will have the full use of her hand and arm again.
Duplicate bridge at the Do Drop In Jan. 24 found top score by Eric Callbeck and Donna Scherman. Second high were Joeann and Rudy Wiens and tied for third were Margaret Dyck and Jane Groves and Lori Stark and Trudy Iverson. In the city Jan. 26, the top score went to Jean Lawes and Fraser Glen. Tied for second were Margaret Dyck and Joyce Antoine and Glen and Julie Moore.
Jan. 27 found four tables in play at the Do Drop In when canasta was the game of choice. Top score went to Jon Soloninko and Jack Stewart, second to Dave Ottis and Eric Callbeck and third to Paulette Neale and Cora Christiansen. There was lots of fun and food enjoyed by all.
As of Jan.1, the village has changed from WYWRA to Loraas for waste management. The village advised the RM council they are not interested in a safety officer at this time. Tenders are out for a six-inch culvert on Main Street. Indemnities and bonuses were set at the December meeting. Council meetings are now held first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
The Mayfair play is being held Feb. 24, 25 and 26. The first two days are suppers with evening shows while the third day is a noon meal with an afternoon performance. For tickets call 306-824-4616. Bus service will be available from North Battleford on the Sunday. Call Lorna Lavallee at 306-445-0651.
The next senior meeting at the Do Drop In will be held Feb. 10 at 10:30 a.m.
The Murray Lake fish derby will be held at Cochin on Feb 18.
The active walking health program in the Meota Community Complex is on again this winter on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 9 a.m. to noon.
Robbie Burns Night was held in the Masonic Hall the evening of Jan. 28 with a full house. It was a busy time before the meal when folks put their names on silent auction bidding sheets for various items on offer and spent time visiting. Action started when the bagpipers entered along with the drummer, preceding the haggis. The poem connected this ritual was recited and the haggis was cut. It was then returned to the kitchen and all the meal was set out buffet style. The entertainment followed featuring the bagpipes, two highland dancers and toasts to the lassies, the laddies and Robbie Burns. The draw for the 50/50 was made and the silent auction items dispensed to new owners. I’m sure people enjoyed themselves, as it was a nice evening.
Word has come from Edmonton of the passing of a Dutch war bride, Audrey Thomas, who lived in the Idylwild district north of Bapaume when first coming to Canada after the war.
Why are pancake suppers on Shrove Tuesdays a Christian tradition? The season of Lent is 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday with Shrove Tuesday the day before Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time for penance, fasting and praying, which helps Christians draw closer to God. One can fast from food or rather from habitual negative thoughts and actions. It is a time of opening ourselves to prepare for Easter, the most important festival of the church year. Providing and sharing a meal is a way to share the love of God through hospitality and fellowship. The pancake and sausage supper will be held in the Do Drop In on Feb. 28 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
