Olga Woloshyn was reacquainted with her cousin, former North Battleford resident, 91-year-old Gertrude Woloshyn from Comox, Vancouver Island. Gertie flew all by herself to Edmonton and her daughter Patsy from Bonneville, Alta. brought her to Vivian (Jim) Phelps, another daughter, for a one week visit. My husband and I drove his mother Olga to the Phelps residence at Jackfish Lake on Aug. 11. Olga and Gertie have not seen one another in about 15 years. Gertie was married to Fred Woloshyn who farmed near Denholm and together they raised seven children. This was their second marriage and once Fred passed away, she moved into a condo in Battleford, then Nanaimo, B.C., and now is residing in a Comax Senior Care Home one and a half blocks from the ocean in a scenic setting. The two of them reminisced about the good old days and us younger ones, Jim, Vivian, Patsy, David and myself, had a great visit. Hopefully we will get to see everyone again in the next few years and, of course, by then we will all be older.Ìý
The barbecue supper at Nachtegaele Agri-Services on Aug. 12 was very scrumptious after the crop tour. Customers of Dwayne and Keith's were invited to their annual appreciation event. Many local farmers in attendance received gift bags with many useful items to take home. Also, Agriteam of Speers hosts a similar event, as most agricultural businesses do, on Aug. 13. Many farmers from the Mayfair area support these businesses for seed, chemicals and fertilizers.Ìý
Folk Fest in Saskatoon is a great way to reconnect with the 22 cultural venues located throughout the city. I attended part of Friday and Saturday evenings. For only $16, one could purchase a pass that included free bus service to the venues. Great cultural food, drinks, history, musical performances and, of course, merchandise to purchase.Ìý
Spiritwood will also be sponsoring a mini Folk Fest with five venues on board as of now on the weekend of Sept. 5 and 6. The cost is $5 with much of what Saskatoon's had to offer. With harvest slated earlier this year, it is unknown how successful the festival will be. This is the first year that Spiritwood is trying this new venture.Ìý
Music, music and more music. Do you know that music is the most universal language in the world? No matter what language the song is in, one can still connect with it! John Arcand's 18th Annual Fiddle Festival was a huge success again this past weekend. I've always wanted to attend, never had the opportunity, but this year I was present. Wow! Spectacular performances from the very young to the elderly. Most of them have to practice a lot in order to be a success. It is not an easy task, but with perseverance you become excellent. Of course a musician has to love what he or she is doing and you can tell by the expression on the faces and tapping of their feet when they are enjoying sharing their music with us. I could attend a music festival every weekend in the summer months if time permitted.Ìý
Rain, rain, rain. We received no moisture in May, very little in June, July got a little better, and ,wow, 1.3 inches was actually recorded in our rain gauge on Aug. 15! This is the most significant amount because it doesn't pour here in comparison to places 10 miles away. I was under the wooden structured roof at the John Arcand Fiddle Fest when it came down in buckets, around 10:30 a.m., and lasted for almost an hour. There was a fiddle competition slated for that morning, so music came to a halt for a while. The rain came down so hard, one could hardly hear the music.
A fellow by the name of Gordon Stobbe might be remembered by some of our local seniors. He grew up in the Mayfair district and moved away at age 11 with his parents to Nova Scotia. Gord is a master fiddler, teacher and composer. His performance history includes theatre, composer, radio and television host. He is in great demand for music retreats, camps and workshops across Canada and does a lot of them in the North West Territories. He is a wonderful person to talk to and mentioned the last names of Jackson, Rash, Cowell, Allan and Bouschard all in the Rabbit Lake and Mayfair areas that he remembers.Ìý
Formerly from Blaine Lake and now a resident of Meadow Lake was Lucas Welsh who taught fiddle, Metis and Old Time lessons to anyone wanting to further their music. He was classically trained as a violinist but is now a very skilled fiddler, guitar and mandolin player. Lucas has relatives at Mayfair and his mother Debbie still resides at Blaine Lake. He is a music teacher, recording artist and performer and is also in demand. Lucas is a Saskatchewan Provincial Fiddling champion, has represented Saskatchewan at the Canadian Grand Masters and has been nominated for guitar and fiddle player at the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards.Ìý
One more name I want to mention from a list of dozens of instructors, performers, etc. is Pelletier from Birch Hills. Freddie, wife Sheila and their only child, 33-year-old Clinton (now of Edmonton) are top notch performers. Most Saskatchewan residents I am sure have heard them somewhere or at some point in their life. Freddie and Sheila go into Texas, Arizona and California to perform in the winter. Clinton, an amazing guitar virtuoso, will often join his parents, thus giving the show a wonderful family aspect! He is a music producer with his wife and records many albums. Apparently Clinton is in demand with several bands, but presently is a part of Hot Club Edmonton and a band called Electric.Ìý
During the four-day music festival on the farm of John and Vicki Arcand near Pike Lake, west of Saskatoon, anyone could enrol in square dancing or jigging and learn beading, Metis finger beading and finger weaving. Peyote beading is another branch of this art and was taught by Karry-Lyne Schnell from Saskatoon, who teaches these classes in various schools promoting ancestral techniques. I am sure I forgot to mention other things going on at this well organized event. Obviously the audience can be engaged in many activities if they did not want to just sit in a chair and listen to music for four days. We've been told that this is the best Fiddle Festival across Western Canada, because of all the great performers, including John Arcand.Ìý
The congregation of All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Mayfair welcomed Father Toyn Vu, who originates from Vietnam, on Aug. 9. He really would like to get to know all of his parishioners and even suggested that he would come to your farm and help dig potatoes. Anyone needing extra help in the garden, you know who to call upon!Ìý
Creative Corner is hosting a Flea and Farmer's Market on Sept. 19 in Mayfair hall from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Beef on a bun, potato salad and an assortment of homemade pies will be available. Farm ladies, take a break from the kitchen and order a meal for the field at a very reasonable price. Tables are only $2 a table to rent. Call Alice Grigor at 306-246-4212 for more information.Ìý
Also, Nov. 29, the last Sunday of the month, there is a Christmas craft sale in which table rentals are $10. There are always a lot of vendors coming from afar because the rent is very cheap in comparison to other communities. People like coming to our sales!Ìý
Call Teresa Toews at 306-246-4812 if you have an important community event coming up. Community monthly calendars are sent to us in the mail, thus informing everyone of the activities. Also, on the local radio station, Alice Grigor reads the Community Calendar, which encompasses many surrounding areas of the Battlefords and gives a briefing of up and coming events. Read the posters on the bulletin board on Main Street in Mayfair.
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Photos
Olga Woloshyn from North Battleford with 91-year-old first cousin Gertrude Woloshyn from Comox, Vancouver Island. They haven't seen one another in years. Photos submitted by Elaine Woloshyn
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Former Blaine Lake resident and well known in Mayfair is fiddle, guitar, violin and mandolin musician Lucas Welsh from Meadow Lake, on stage with two other very talented musicians.Ìý
