Members of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International spent the May long weekend at the Meota Regional Park campground.
Wally Byam, an American, built the first Airstream trailer and improved it often. He owned his business until his death when it was bought out by four companies. The club is the longest-rolling, single-branded RV club in the world.
Members of Unit 120 get together on the first and last long weekends every year. Sixteen units came to Meota on the weekend. Nine were from Alberta, six from Saskatchewan and one from British Columbia for a total of 36 people, five of them children.
Their visit to Meota was a result of a pleasant couple days camping here in 2015 by their president Len Kroeker from Moose Jaw. He found all the elements needed for their annual campout 鈥� a lovely campground, a convenient hall with a kitchen, friendly folks and a city not far away.
They survived one of our first real thunderstorms of the season that provided lots of flash lightning and loud noise.
Their American fall rally will find them at Havre, Mont. They meet at various times between these two events and welcome folks along the way to join them at any time. Their common vision is the pursuit of fun, great adventures and incredible memories. There'll always be a chair by the campfire for you.
The group was impressed with the facilities they found here and the highlight was their trip to the Western Development Museum in North Battleford.
Contract bridge was played at the Do Drop In on May 16 and top score was by Jetta Dasilva and second was Joyce Antoine. May 23 the top score was by Robert Iverson and second high was Jack Smith.
The monthly luncheon at the Meota Community Complex was a huge success again, with extra folks from the Airstream trailers group making a pleasant addition. Much socializing followed and a public announcement of appreciation was made to representatives of Husky Oil.
When Husky thermo projects completed the construction of a steam project in the Vawn and Edam area north of Meota, they turned over their nearly-new office equipment to the Meota Lions Club to dispose of at their discretion. It was agreed by all members that it should go to the Battleford Trade and Education Center for their new building in the city. This is a substantial donation by Husky Oil and very much appreciated.
On behalf of the Lion's Club, president Lawrie Ward acknowledged the Husky representatives attending and assured them their gift will be well used by BTEC when they get operating this summer. Diego Centanni, the site engineer, and Barry Bichel, QA lead, accepted his words of gratitude on behalf of Husky Oil and their construction team.
The cooks for this event must be commended on their great meal.
A successful bake and plant sale was held at the United/ Anglican Church on Saturday. They appreciate all the donations and express their thanks.
The Battlefords Sailing Club is always looking for more members. Many in Meota聽 received an information package left at their door. Please read it over and maybe join what seems to be a great group of sportsmen.
There are several new patches of pavement in town, as folks have had their driveways done. This is considerable improvement to their property and increased its value. Michael W. Stewart's company from Lloydminster did the work.
The concession at the beach opened this past weekend and is looking forward to a busy summer. Her variety of ice cream alone is great, soft and hard. With lots of extra people in the village opening up their summer homes, the village was abuzz with people and vehicles. Though the weather was not hot, people had to admit they really don't mind the rain when it is so dry. Our first taste of it came in the night late Saturday when the heavens opened up to one of natures鈥� greatest shows, lightning flashes everywhere, but not the steak lightning that starts fires. There were a couple of pretty loud bangs and plenty of noise. But I guess the dogs didn't like it as much as I did. One lady at the campsite said her dogs were trembling and she had to give up her bed to them.
More rain came on Monday, to at least make it worthwhile. I had just finished my little job out at the cemetery when it started to rain again. Some mowing has been done, but the drier areas haven't grown much.
Duplicate bridge was played at the Do Drop In on May 17 with four tables in play. Top mark was earned by Margaret Dyck and David Sharpe, second high by Mary Greenwald and Maureen Campbell and third by Vern Iverson and Gerry Fernandes. May 19 this group played in the city with top score by Jean Lawes and Glen Fraser, second high by Mary Greenwald and Joe Pirot and third high were Vern Iverson and Gerry Fernandes. These are dedicated players who love their games.
Next village council meeting is on June 7 at 7 p.m.
Northern British Columbia has had fire problems, but not only in the forest. At Telkwa a fellow was apprehended after trying to set a fire at the Telkwa sawmill site. The night watchman was on his job and the culprit was caught. More recently there have been two fires at Houston's Canfor sawmill. First to go were three of their six drying kilns and then the roof was blown off the pelleting plant silo. No injuries at either and the causes are still unknown.
Four tables of canasta were played May 20 with highest scoring couple being Barbara Soloninko and Bev McCrimmon. Second were Marion Ottas and Linda Ard, beating their opponents, Cora Christianson and Muriel Tebay, by only 10 points. It was a fun night with Jack Stewart coming out when we needed one more player.
While western Alberta has been having frosty nights and even more snow, we have been getting seasonable temperatures. At Dawson Creek, Alta. they got 10 inches of snow, at Fort St. John, B.C. they got four inches and all the way down to Calgary it was wet and cool with snowy areas.
Now that May is nearly over we can look forward to June events. June 3, 4 and 5 is the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association races at the North Battleford exhibition grounds. Watch for posters for more information. At the Western Development Museum June 9 and 10 is their Museum Days, an exciting event every summer as 100 volunteers come out to show the young folks, and remind the elderly, how farming was done in the 鈥済ood old days.鈥� At the same time and place will be Taste of Culture, where participants celebrate the diversity of our community in food, drink, marketplace items and entertainment.
The many lilacs blooming in Meota, mauves and whites, are so pretty and emitting a pleasant aroma. It's such a shame they don't last long when you bring them indoors where you can see and smell them better. Much hedge trimming has gone on, which is appreciated, but there's still more needs doing.
