Winter is almost over, according to calendar, and Rabbit Lake has continued to have a busy season.
The February Rabbit Lake Seniors' potluck supper was held on the third Wednesday in February with a smaller turnout than before. I would think due to cold weather as not much else keeps us away from good food. The seniors' secretary, Naomi Unger wished Gail Loehndorf and Shirley Leigh a happy birthday. The next supper is March 16.
Naomi Unger, on behalf of the local library, has submitted the following segment. Author, playwright, and cowboy poet Ken Mitchell entertained a small crowd in the Rabbit Lake Hall Feb. 24. Mitchell recited his own work as well as that of Bill Gomersall, Doris Daley, Lenard Cohen and Robert Service. Mitchell encourages the recognition of Canadians who write in the rhythmic, narrative style of cowboy and frontier poetry. The event was organized by the Rabbit Lake Library's Book Club and supported by the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild. A western atmosphere was created with saddles, ropes, blankets, cowboy boots and a tin of coffee on a black stove. This theme continued during the refreshment of baked beans, biscuits and cowboy coffee.
The "Reading 35 Challenge" the library has been promoting since November of 2010 is now complete. To celebrate the 35 years the library has been in operation, readers were encouraged to check out library books. For every 35 books taken out, readers received a coupon for free coffee and a snack at the WhistleStop Coffee Shop. Forty adults and 10 children participated in the challenge for the last five months.
The draw for the grand prize was made at the cowboy poetry event. The winner in the children's category was Desaray Roberts, receiving a subscription to a children's magazine. Ruth Hepp was the winner in the adult category and will receive a magazine subscription or the financial equivalent.
It is good to see Vic Ricketts, Paul Kobernick and Bernie Schliemann back home from their time in the hospital. Hazel Speerbrecker continues to be in Battlefords Union Hospital.
The community sends its condolences to the family of the late Verlin Skow. Verlin and Loretta farmed in this community for many years.
The Rabbit Lake Skating Club held their annual Carnival Feb. 8. The skaters did well. Lasagne replaced rink burgers. After the cake walk the adults played a few games of bunnock.
This weekend Rabbit Lake was humming big time as 192 riders took to the trail at the annual Rabbit Lake and District Agricultural Association Snowmobile Rally. Main Street was blocked off to traffic so the machines had space to park and the space was full. The trail conditions were excellent and everyone commented on how much fun they had. The day started with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Rabbit Lake Seniors and the Museum Committee and then a lunch provided by the Rabbit Lake Recreation Centre.
A super roast beef supper was provided to riders and the community. The hall was full for supper. Such a response makes the efforts of the Ag Association very worthwhile.
First prize of $7,500 went to Nicole Beausoleil, $3,500 went to Christine McDonald and $1,500 went to Danny Wright.
Prizes for the ticket sellers went to Frank Prystupa, Dave Rohd and Shirley Price.
There were tons of door prizes all donated by community members, businesses and from businesses from surrounding communities. The major door prize winners were Steve Herbert, Sheldon Martin, Ryan Woloshyn, Shane Murdock and Mark Erlandson. Doreen Lamb won the 50/50 draw.
The rally ended with a dance with music by Selected Sound. Next year we will do it all over again. Now the Agricultural Association will turn its efforts over to the Carlton Trail Jamboree on the first weekend in July.
As March continues we will be having a deep fried turkey supper March 19 at the hall sponsored by the Rabbit Lake Community Church Committee and a potluck supper at the seniors' hall March 16. If you are still hungry you can check out some Irish fare at the Whistle Stop on St. Patrick's Day.
Last week I had to remind the coffee crowd who were complaining incessantly about the cold weather that they best enjoy it, because in two months we will be slapping mosquitoes!
