Everything is quieter in the countryside now that harvesting is nearing completion. Very few fields are yet to be done.
It has been very dry the last couple of weeks, so anyone who lives near a gravel road is inundated with dust since the traffic is quite heavy. Being outside is not as pleasant as it should be at this time of year.
John Evans returned to his home in Calgary Sept. 22 after spending more than a week at the home of his parents, Keith and Eileen Evans, helping with the harvest.
A very interesting event took place last week when what is known as the Corker house was moved from its original site in Maidstone to the Maidstone Museum.
The house was built by A.C. Elliot, the first teacher in Maidstone, who taught there from the time the first school opened in December, 1906 until 1910. In 1920, when Cyril and Muriel Corker were married, Cyril's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Corker, moved from the Corker farm in Forest Bank to reside in the house, which by this time was owned by the Corkers. The newly married Cyril and Muriel Corker lived on the Corker farm until the 1970s when they moved into the Maidstone home after the death of Frederick Corker.
In recent years Lois (Corker) and Gerald Pike occupied the house from time to time.
Now it is on the museum grounds, it will be a reminder of a great deal of past history. It will also be a reminder of the hospitality shown to so many people throughout the years.
Congratulations to Keith and Debbie Pike, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary during the past weekend. Sept. 29, their family hosted an evening in their honour. Festivities began with happy hour at 5 p.m. followed by a delicious supper at 6 p.m. An open house followed. It was a wonderful evening for visiting with relatives, friends and neighbours.
Later in the evening an anniversary cake, made and decorated by Eileen Evans, was cut by the bride and groom of 40 years, and served to those present.
On display were pictures taken on the wedding day as well as other pictures and souvenirs, which brought back lots of memories and promoted much discussion. Guests, many of whom had their modern cameras in hand, took lots of pictures.
We wish Debbie and Keith many more years of happy, healthy life together.
Bill McGilvery, who is drummer with the Yellowhead Ramblers band, continues to take part in the band activities which are getting busy again after a quiet summer. The band played for a 55th wedding anniversary in North Battleford Saturday.
Christine Pike, Maureen Bexson and Velma Foster travelled to Preeceville Sept. 28 to spend the weekend at the fall meeting of the Sask. Natural History Society. That part of Saskatchewan is beautiful with lots of trees, water and birds. They travelled via the Clarksboro ferry, which crosses the Â鶹´«Ã½AV Saskatchewan River.
It was wonderful weekend for the many delegates present. It would take lots of space to do justice to the event. Part of the time was spent hiking and relaxing in the area and spending time listening to guest speakers and discussing important issues regarding the environment.
Saving the burrowing owls is high on the agenda and the many people including landowners are involved in this project. Unfortunately, this organization has had government funding cut with no explanation, just as many organizations which have the environment in mind.
Interesting speakers were on hand to speak on such topics as caring for the prairies, environmental plans for water and pastures.
One of the most interesting speakers is presently involved in the excavation of Fort Alexandria, which is in that area. This fur trading fort was built in 1797, closed in 1821 and was important in its day. Unfortunately it had been plowed under. The excavations, which are now ongoing, have made it possible to find out much about life in those days. Artifacts, such as rings, musket parts, door hardware, window glass, metal arrowheads, clay pipes, metal buckles and buttons, flints for firing muskets, square nails and much more were on display.
It was interesting to meet with like-minded people from all over the province. During the meetings resolutions dealing with wildlife, PFRA pastures and the Indian Head tree nursery were passed and are being sent to governments. They have all suffered funding cuts even though they are still important in the life of this province and neighbouring provinces.
