We are very thankful for the much-needed rain as there was different recorded amounts throughout the area. Everything seeded should grow rapidly now if the sun will co-operate. This makes everyone wanting to be outdoors just to inhale the refreshing smell.
I am sure by now the fire ban will be lifted because the ground is wet. Let鈥檚 keep our fingers crossed.
It was released by Alberta鈥檚 premier that the evacuees from Fort McMurray will slowly be able to return after June 1. It will be a slow process of many years to rebuild this wonderful city. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians and others will be in high demand, hence creating jobs for many individuals who lost theirs because of the devastation.
The tent caterpillars are not too bad here as of yet, compared to other places. The stripped barren trees are a better sight if one compares it to the burned forest. Apparently some trees can slowly regenerate the growth of leaves before summer is ended but it certainly does not take these crawly critters long to multiply and eat the poor trees naked.
My five-year-old grandson made a potion of vinegar and dish soap to prove to grandma that this will kill them. Indeed it did! I smiled when he told me this method would knock the caterpillars dead. Now I have fewer of these because of him.
The May long weekend was very busy for me as I helped at a vendor鈥檚 table at the Mayfair spring sale, then hurried to Delmas for my sister鈥檚 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
Joan and Tony Lacoursiere have resided in Delmas for more than four decades after moving from Calgary, Alta., with three young sons. They purchased the Delmas garage in July 1973 and have been involved in many business ventures over the years including a dealership with Behlen grain bins; Peacock Foam Markers, producing foam for field sprayers in the agricultural market, raising elk and manufacturing Evertight Anchors. They recently sold their anchor business to a fellow from Lloydminster, so now Tony can retire.
Joan and Tony also adopted two sisters in 1983, thus keeping this family really buzzing. Thankfully they will get to enjoy many leisurely retirement years and a bit of travelling.
We were treated to a delicious banquet at Delmas hall followed by a program, May 21. Their oldest granddaughter Sarah from Muenster and Saskatoon (a university student) was the MC. Their son, Gordon, and wife Karen, along with daughter-in-law Jane, and her daughter, 20-year-old Sarag, did much preparation for this special occasion. I was in charge of the entertainment.
Everyone enjoyed the food, fellowship and evening laughs. Sunday Joan and Tony renewed their marriage vows in Delmas Catholic Church, then approximately 90 people had a full breakfast catered by the Knights of Columbus, again back in the Delmas hall.
Delmas is considered a bedroom village with many people being employed in the Battlefords. Besides the local hotel and bar, Evertight Anchors is the only business in this community, so obviously Lacoursieres are well known.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and I鈥檓 sure the Lacoursieres will cherish this gathering forever. And, yes, it did rain abundantly, starting at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, so bad that one had to drive very slowly or pull onto the shoulder of the highway because of limited visibility.
We were disappointed not to see Paul, the youngest son. He is an RCMP member and had to commit to his duties as, being a long weekend, more members were required to work. He is posted near a First Nation along Lake Winnipeg, Man. He is married to a nurse, Michelle, and they have two young daughters.
My daughter, Amanda Sevick, has returned from a five-day holiday in New York. I have been kept busy, as well as Kinley鈥檚 mom Diane, babysitting their children. This was an early 30th birthday present from her husband. Some of the highlights of this trip were going to the Toronto Blue Jays ballgame versus the New York Yankees with the Jays winning 3 to 2, performer Billy Joel鈥檚 concert, the Broadway musical Jersey Boys, visiting the Museum of Natural History which is a really large attraction with tourists, and a two-and-a-half-hour boat tour of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.
Mayfair鈥檚 Save a Third World Child was kept busy this past Saturday, enrolled in the Ministry of Highways litter cleanup program. Being older folks, we certainly felt our aching bodies for a few days. Where are the young kids when you need them?
Here is a quote I have hanging on my fridge which is appropriate for everyone running busy lives. 鈥淚 am only one, but I am one, / I cannot do everything but I can do something. / And I will not let what I cannot do / Interfere with what I can do. Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.鈥� Edward Everett Hales
