The frost has changed the scenery somewhat, but the leaves were turning yellow long before that, so we know that is a natural part of their life. The big harvest moon accompanied the change of colors. The flowerpots in town are being taken out but there is still one on Railway Avenue that is quite nice. They were so bright and cheery all summer. Driving along Circle Drive now, the trees are such a variety of colors, they are outstanding. Travelling now it is good to see the ditches green whereas most years they would be brown long ago, as well as lawns and farmyards. It has been a green, green summer, but it was not good for making hay.
Beth Wynne brought me home from Taber, Alta. via Leduc where we spent a couple days with her sister Donna Lambert. Beth went to Lloydminster on her way home and visited with her nieces Shari and Lori Pearson and their families.
The Edam Catholic Church fall supper is set for Sept. 25, 5-7 p.m. The next musical jam session at Medstead will be Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. One could make a nice day of outings there and take them both in.
The community luncheon held in the Community Complex on Sept. 16 had another great turnout of hungry patrons, who enjoyed a delicious beef dinner. Money donated is used for the upkeep of this hall building. Everyone met someone they hadn’t seen lately, so it’s always a good social hour. Pearl and her workers are to be commended for always providing a great lunch, with many desserts, leaving smiles everywhere. There may have been some farmers missing because it was a dry, sunny day. Jean Hanson was out from the city and joined us for lunch and was happy to meet many of her friends here.
There will be no community lunch in October, November or December because of other annual meals falling near the same date, but there will be great meals to take their place, with Pearl and her crew at work. We are looking forward to those events.
Top score at Contract bridge on Sept. 12 in Meota was Bernard Gregpoire and second high was Lucille Gregoire. On Tuesday night in Meota, duplicate bridge top score went to Eric Callbeck and Maureen Campbell. Second were Vern Iverson and Gerry Craig and third were Catriona Winterholt and Cletus Scherman. In the city Thursday evening, top score was by Glenn and Julie Moore. Three couples tied for the next spot – Jetta and Terence Dasilva, Donna Scherman and Catriona Winterhol. Next were Cletus Scherman and Jean Beattie. They had 20 players turn out so it was a full house and lots of good games played.
Seniors’ Week is Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 so the Do Drop In will be holding an afternoon tea Sept. 25, from 2-4 p.m. Come and enjoy drinks and desserts in the good company of your neighbors.
Congratulations to Ron Schira of Spiritwood who won the Canadian Senior Men’s Longest Drive Competition in Ontario and is now off to represent Canada in Mexico at the world championships. After playing hockey and suffering many injuries along the way, Ron finds that keeping active is the only way to stop from hurting. We wish him well.
The library reports that in August they had 341 patrons and were open 62 hours. Twenty-six children registered for the summer reading program. There were eight new patrons who got library cards since July 1. Story time at the library July 20 had 15 children. On Aug.6 there were 11 and on Aug. 25 there were 23. It’s nice to have these extra children in the summertime. There are new forms available that one can nominate a library worker who has helped you at the library and tell how and what the worker did. The next bingo is on Oct. 28, a Friday afternoon. If you can work three hours please call Debbie at 306-892-2004. This is their only fundraiser.
Livelong is holding their 7th annual Welcome Back Games Day for seniors Oct. 14 with games starting at 10 a.m. A $10 fee covers lunch and coffee breaks, so come along and bring a friend.
The first shuffleboard tournament is set for Oct. 29 at the Do Drop In starting at 10 a.m. with a potluck lunch at noon. The Do Drop In Christmas potluck supper is set for Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. So mark your calendar and bring a friend along.
There are still many goldfinch at the feeder but not sporting their bright yellow coats any more. They have taken on a drab yellowish brown coat to wear south for the winter. Likewise the scarlet tanager puts on his winter coat of yellowish green, like the females. The geese are flocking and hunting season is on. I hope the birds are used or donated to someone who can use them.
Sept. 21 is National Tree Day when everyone should plant a tree, but you need to have a place to do that.
The Emergency Planning Act governs the responsibilities of municipal governments and councils concerning disasters or emergencies. The mutual aid area consists of 11 units — five RMs and six villages — set up to share resources and equipment available with one another. People need to volunteer and take some training and become informed for the safety of the public. Watch for courses being offered in the future.
Some important information I missed last week talking about Spruce Meadows is the fact that children and seniors are admitted free, and, because we had seats reserved for the last shows, my granddaughter Sonya, also got in free. There is no charge for parking. The Red Arrow shuttle bus service is complimentary from the end of the Somerset/Bridlewood C-train station to the grounds every day but Monday and Tuesday.
The Real Canadian Superstore has set up a playground for children – pony rides, wagon rides, face painting, a flying fox, climbers and swings. They sponsor running programs four times a year, and training programs – indoors and out.
There are many great shops with a wide variety of products for people, dogs and horses. A pet fair is a new addition this year featuring all things devoted to making the lives of our treasured furred and feathered friends better.
There are mini train rides around the grounds on the weekends with proceeds to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, but free to children the weekend of the masters tournament.
I’m sure many folks must expect the setup to be a money-grabbing enterprise, but in no way is it. The foods we bought were very reasonable and the whole day cost us $30 because we wanted seats with backs. If we had sat on seats without backs or on the grass there would have been no charge, they would have charged Sonya $5 to get in, but she had her ticket, so no more. We expect they are supported by sponsors and there must be money connected to the horse end that we don’t know about, because there is prize money in there somewhere.
Harvest 4 Kids will take place rtwo miles east and one-half mile north of Medstead, next to the grid road, where 120 acres of red spring wheat is waiting for the swathers and combines on the tentative date of Oct. 8. The field and all equipment is donated by volunteers and the proceeds go to Children’s Camps International, so children in Third World Countries can spend some of their summer holidays at camps. They plan to have food available if one attends to watch the operation or take part in it. They expect to swath in the morning and combine in the afternoon.
