Partaking in a Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11 is important to many of us, as there was a good-sized crowd in Mayfair Hall. The service began with Rollie Pelletier marching in the colours with his wife Jean, Ruby Rafuse and Buck Scotton following the procession. Two constables dressed in their red serge uniforms from the Blaine Lake detachment were included.
The program included many people laying the six wreaths, the reading of John McCrae's famous poem, In Flanders Fields, the military salute, the singing of O Canada, and an informative talk by guest speaker Phyllis Cunningham from Speers.
Phyllis and her husband Stuart frequently visit England to reacquaint with relatives and tour the war monuments and museums. At times they climb the Dover Cliffs to see if they can catch a glimpse of France from over the English Channel.
Shirley Lamontagne, Heather (Ron) Buziak and Buck Scotton were a few who had war memorabilia on display. Shirley's father saw her for the first time when she was nine months old, when he returned from overseas. Heather had a photo of her father Mel Jacobsen and her husband, Ron's father Carl Buziak, in the same regiment, standing relatively close to one another. Years later, Ron and Heather got married and only recently they realized that their fathers vaguely knew one another while fighting in the Second World War.
Charlotte Juliusson has relocated to the Speers family farm from British Columbia, after her retirement. Charlotte is Howard and Charlie Linnell's sister . They still reside in Speers-Hafford area. She was in attendance at the Mayfair service and informed everyone that the Speers-Hafford Legion Branch is in need of members and the $40 yearly membership goes to a very good cause.
ÌýA big thank you to Rollie and Jean Pelletier for organizing this special event and also to Ruby Rafuse, who was in charge of the delicious lunch.
After being vacant for a few months, Wayne Moser's place has new owners. Many people know the yard better as the property of Marcel and Nancy Stroo, who lived there for many years before retiring to North Battleford. Nancy was an excellent employee at Canadian Tire for a long time. Joe and Jen Lange, along with their two preschool children, are now the new occupants. Joe is no stranger to Mayfair as he spent many years attending school here. His parents Sandra and Dan Lange still reside on a farm south of Mayfair. Joe is employed as a mechanic for Calvin Lavallee in North Battleford. Calvin also grew up on a farm east of Mayfair and his parents Cindy and Ervin are still living there.
I was glad to hear that first cousin Ann Marie Fransoo is safe in Paris after the recent terrorist attacks. Now I am concerned about relatives in Belgium. None are in the capital city of Brussels, but are living nearby.
There is much controversy about all of the refugees Canada is letting in before Dec. 31. The news is never what you would call good with all of the devastation going on everywhere. Thinking about Christmas always gives one a positive focus, so let's spend time visiting long lost relatives and friends during the festive holiday season.
Let's not take the "Christ" out of Christmas. I've lived in Canada all of my life, and, yes, the years are stacking up. The majority of Canadian citizens do celebrate Christmas in a special way. Let's not break the Christmas traditions we are so accustomed to.
Festivals of trees are always special treats. This year my daughter, her three children and I attended the one in Saskatoon at the Western Development Museum Sunday afternoon. There was an abundance of wee ones taking in all of the sights and sounds, hopefully creating memories for them. The many volunteers who decorate the trees and others setting up everything that goes with this event are to be commended. Many schools participated in recyclable projects, creating a tree and there were some unique ideas. Kudos to the hard-working teachers.
Sixteen fabulous gingerbread houses were painstakingly decorated with many themes. One that really got everyone's attention was from the 1983 movie National Lampoon's Vacation, starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold. The Griswold family house was priceless.
We also took in the Forestry Farm "Enchanted Forest" Holiday Light Tour, one of the largest drive-through displays in Canada. For example, Noah's Arc is 70 feet tall and 130 feet in length, with many lit up animal figures. Events such as these donate the money to worthy causes. This is a must see and is open until the third week in January.
I attended a very interesting workshop at Third Avenue United Church Nov. 21 called Martha and Mary Project II 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pat Gotto was in charge of this and it was deemed a success. There was one previously held in the spring and many had requested another one.
Special guest speaker was 82-year-old Sister Pauline Sevigny, presently of North Battleford. She is a high-energy speaker and has lived a life in tough situations, serving the Lord in Third Wworld countries. At times she was held at gunpoint, but managed to survive dramatic ordeals. Pauline stressed no matter what Christian faith one has, we all worship the same God. People should never be divided by religious beliefs.
I met a woman I have not seen in about 35 years, Janice (Fred) Walker of Hamlin, not far from where I grew up, at this workshop. Also, Leola MacDonald, who volunteers working on archives in the Battlefords. She knows my daughters-in-law Diane Sevick of Maymont and also Doug's deceased mother, Grace Sevick, who passed away at 103 years of age two years ago in November. It seems that wherever a person goes, you always come across a connection to someone else.
Children in Third World countries know what it is like to not receive a gift at Christmas. The world's largest Christmas project of its kind is what Mayfair's Save a Third World Child and CWL clubs were putting their efforts into these past few weeks. Operation Christmas Child Samaritan's Purse collects donations of useful items and toys for the less fortunate and many of us involved pack these items into shoeboxes and pay the shipping and handling of $7 per box.
Schools have been involved in this worthy project for many years. What a great impact it must have on children who receive something from strangers in a far away country.
There are still flocks of geese flying in all directions with the warm weather. Some of them seem to not know to fly in the southern direction, as they break away from the V shaped flock flying everywhere except south.
The beginning of November I saw a lone robin chirping in a barren, leafless tree. Apparently it is not uncommon to come upon a few stray summer birds that do manage to survive our bitterly cold winters. Chickadees have been making their appearance for the last two months and these small birds are hardy enough to survive our climate.
Mayfair Hall was bursting at its seams Nov. 23 for the Creative Corner's Craft Sale. Hope you joined in for fun, spent money, enjoyed great food and visited with friends.
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