Easter visitors at the house of Phil and Lorna Bater was the whole family from the Battlefords and locally. Also visiting were Chantel, Amanda and a friend, Matt, Doreen Parker of Radisson and Darla (nee Valliere) Price of England. Darla is a school teacher and is teaching school in England. She was home for a two-week break.
The real sure sign of spring is here to stay when the North Saskatchewan River winter ice starts to break up and also the Battle River. With moans and groans it will soon all break up and pass on down the channel and melt as it goes. There should not be any jam up areas this year due to the mild winter. The ice is not all that thick.
We have had a few very windy days and I'm sure there is not a single Russian thistle plant left to blow. They are breaking the speed limit going down the local street and the highway close by into the trees and fences. At least now some days are breaking the double digits and the nights don't go too far below zero. The snow has at last all melted and the ice on the sloughs and dugouts is starting to melt. We hope it is all gone for this time of year.
The farmers are counting down the days before it's time to be on the land and get the spring field work started. They are busy checking and repairing machinery wherever work is needed to be done. They are also getting seed grains cleaned and the special seeds bought, plus fertilizers and chemicals. Then there is the fuel and oil. There is always lots of planning to do. It's a full time job.
We all well know when spring is here as it's the time for all farm auction sales. Every year, many farms are sold due to all sorts of problems and it is the same all over the prairie provinces. Some farms are sold to new owners or family members.
Volunteer appreciation night was held April 6 at the North Battleford Western Development Museum. There was a good turnout of volunteers, families and helpers and they all sat down to a meal served by the museum ladies. Thirteen volunteers who have passed away were memorialized. Museum pins were given out for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of volunteer service.
The Western Development Museum is sporting a new logo on all their items and signs.
My husband Stanley continues to volunteer in the workshop, along with other volunteers who turn out. A replacement metal lathe has been added to the workshop. They are still restoring some of the antique tractors, steam engines and stationary engines. Some parts needed are no longer available, so now they need to be made. A recent workshop day was held. Sad to say they had a very poor turnout. It's too bad they couldn't get more volunteers to show up and join in. They are badly needed.
Come out and join the Western Development Museum Association for a small fee. Anyone would certainly be welcome to join in. There will be all sorts of interesting happenings at the museum throughout the summer and fall months. Don't miss them.
Agrimex, the Battlefords' Agricultural Society's annual farm, trade and home show, was held last weekend at the North Battleford Exhibition Park. It was the place to go to see many local and out of town business dealers' displays set out for their new season of sales.
It does bring in many interested farm and city people to buy something new or to browse through the many booths.
