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The shuffleboard tournament in Meota on April 25 found 16 folks playing off at the Do Drop In. Everyone enjoyed a relaxing, friendly day, with a potluck lunch at noon.

The winners were first Nestor Fransoo and Svend Christiansen, second Gerald Hilliard and Linda Ard, third Maurice Bru and Cora Christiansen and fourth Ken Tucker and Stella Rendle. There were snowflakes sifting down when we left the hall but none in the morning, however the next evening it snowed most of the night. Out west at Wetaskiwin, Alta. they got about 15 inches of snow, so the blowers were out and the shovels. Those who were in warmer climates over winter got a reminder of what they had missed.

We didn’t mention last week that Kent and Janice Morton live at Summerfield Beach, on Jackfish Lake, and many appreciated the story they turned in.    

The earthquake off the south end of the Queen Charlotte Islands was not felt inland very far. It measured 6.1, on April 23. The last one in Nepal is a different story, very terrifying and so destructive.

In southeastern Saskatchewan the combines are out working, taking off the crop they couldn’t get off last fall because it was too wet. Let’s hope they get the most of it now and didn’t lose too much of it over winter.

Robert St. Amant of Meota flew to Boston, Mass. where he took part in the Boston Marathon for the third time. He bettered his time over last year even though the weather was cool, damp and windy and he came in third among the 18 from Saskatchewan. He is looking forward to going to other runs at various places and, in this way, see more of the world. One run coming up is in Iceland. Well done, Robert.

Canasta was played at the Do Drop In April 24 with four tables in play. Top scores went to Marion Ottas and Arlene Walker, second to Barbara Soloninko and Shirley Tebay and third to John Soloninko and Linda Ard. After cards a sociable time was enjoyed over coffee.

The ice went off Murray Lake several days before Jackfish Lake. The "cart drop" tickets that the Lions Club sold on guesses as to when the cart would drop, was won by Leo Brassard.

Many of us wondered why, after being taught to sort our recyclables, we are now being told to dump everything, but glass, in one big bin out at the transfer station. So after some inquiries were made we learn that the new big bin has sliding doors which are easier to manage than the lids on the old ones, but the cardboard must be flattened to slide it in. Also step on your milk cartons and jugs, after they are rinsed, to conserve space. The bin is hauled to Lloydminster by Evergreen Industries, there it is unloaded and compacted into bales, then sent to the huge, state-of-the-art sorting plant in Edmonton. Two of my girls, who volunteered in the recycle station in Edmonton, have had the privilege of touring this plant. It is the most advanced plant in North America for recycling mixed materials. It is a 64,000 square foot recycling plant at Edmonton Waste Management Center. It is owned by the City of Edmonton and managed by SENA Waste Services, since April of 2014.

It is a cheaper way of handling the materials as we pay rent on one container rather than several.

There are 250 golf courses in Saskatchewan, so golfers surely do have a choice of courses. The rougher the terrain, the more challenging, of course, but the Meota golf course looks like fun.

Summer traffic has become busier so local folks should be ready to deal with a change of pace. Homeowners are responsible for the hedge by their sidewalk – it should be trimmed and the sidewalk swept so people can walk there rather than down the streets. If you cannot manage to do this then try to find someone with a hedge trimmer it doesn’t take that long to do. If we all make an extra effort to have Meota an attractive place to live, or to visit, we must all do our part so we can be proud of our village.

Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Ervin Matzner, a 79-year-old farmer who lived south of Chitek Lake. He was a well-known man as he served on council in the RM of Spiritwood for many years. Also to the family of the late Gordon Thompson of Spiritwood, at 85 years. He had served as an outlet for SGI all his working life, so he too was known far and wide. These pioneer fellows will surely be missed by their families and communities.     

Condolences go out to Carmen Beaumont and her family on the passing of her husband Lloyd April 26. They moved to Saskatoon from Metinota last fall and have been sorely missed by the hobby band, which he started up a few years ago.

Nice to see the blackbirds back along the south shore road, and the male purple finches add colour to our feeders along with their drab coloured mates.

A reminder of the ’55 Alive’ refresher driving course May 4. Call Pearl at 306-892-2227 or Linda at 306-892-2179 to put your name on the list. This runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Another reminder is for the mutual aid reception and inquiry training course to be held Saturday, May 9 at the Community Complex from 9:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is to prepare the community for disasters and teaches how to cope when one hits a community. Call Jacquie at 306-892-4294 to register before May 5.

April 21 Duplicate bridge was played at the Do Drop In with top scores earned by Vern Iverson and Gerry Fernandes. Second were Ray and Marnie Davie and third by Beatrice Novlan and Maureen Campbell.

I complain about the available living conditions for seniors, all very small, in care homes everywhere in Saskatchewan, but in Courtenay, B.C. they have one building where one room is divided into three with curtain dividers and each resident has room for a bed and small table. Rather an insult that anyone should end up in such circumstances – these being the pioneers who built this country, after all.

Contract bridge was enjoyed April 27, in Meota, with high scores going to Warren Iverson first and Robert Iverson, second.

Yvette Lessard celebrated her 85th birthday April 2. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered April 4 to help her celebrate Hawaiian style at the Do Drop In at Meota. All seven of her children and spouses were in attendance as well as eight of her 18 grandchildren and 10 of her 14 great-grandchildren. A wonderful potluck was prepared and enjoyed. It was a special occasion with a beautiful  mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and still an active member of the Meota community. Here’s to many more birthdays as the family continues to grow, with two more great-grandchildren on the way.