The threat of winter is upon us, and it tried pretty hard Monday, but it was mostly rain with a little bit of snow mixed in. As I drove north it was only rain, but around the Cater area the wet snow stuck to the trees and gave it a wintry appearance. It was a pleasant drive to Spiritwood, which isn’t so far away any more. Returning, I watched for ducks and geese and they are still here, so the threat may not be too real. I even saw a pair of swans at the south end of the lake. Geese are still feeding around Meota and west of Spiritwood. There was an island of snow geese out on Jackfish Lake Monday afternoon, too. There were huge grain trucks and cattle trucks everywhere today, so the farmers must be able to sell some of their produce. How times have changed from the horse and wagon days when it would take two days to unload a box of grain, one day to market and one day to get home again.
The time change in other provinces sure messes up the time for TV shows one watches.
A massive crack has appeared near Yellowstone Park that has some people worried. Only time will tell if they should be, but predictions are that they should be.
The exercise program has resumed at the Community Complex with walking every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, starting at 9 a.m. From 10 to 10:30 a.m. there are stretching and toning exercises under the direction of Bob Zurowski. Then walking continues until noon. This is a safer and warmer place to walk than outdoors when the weather gets colder and we know it will. This is a free program for all ages, not just seniors.
 The Lions Christmas musical program is slated for Nov. 29, so mark your calendar.
Duplicate bridge was played at the Do Drop In Oct. 27 with top scores going to Glen and Julie Moore. In second were Robert Iverson and Joyce Antoine and third were Margaret Dyck and Dave Creegan. Fourteen players enjoyed their evening playing cards.
The vaccine for shingles is supposed to last for several years, so if you have had it, you should be fairly safe for some years. It is not guaranteed 100 per cent, but should make your case less severe if you should come down with shingles.
The Meota Chorus entertained at the Lady Minto Health Care Center in Edam Oct. 29 with a nice crowd showing up to enjoy their music. They are still hoping more new people will join them as there is great satisfaction in entertaining these elderly folks who appreciate it so much. It is a time of relaxing and having fun for the entertainers, too.
Robert and Marion Iverson of Meota accompanied their daughter and son-in-law Laura and Alan Tucker from rural North Battleford to Drayton Valley where they attended the wedding of their niece Carrie Kraft and Ed Cocke Oct. 24. The weather was perfect and it was a pleasant journey.
Cleaning up my pictures this week I have many old black and white negatives and am wondering if anyone knows where these can be developed. If they aren’t done soon there will be nobody who knows who the people are in them and they are really priceless. The option to chuck them is not appealing.
The Belbutte-Bapaume area has been hit with several deaths in a t10-day period. Fern Bellamy passed Oct. 21. He grew up in rural Belbutte, but ended up living in Spiritwood.
Bill Baynes passed away Oct. 28 at age 85 in Spiritwood’s Idylwild Lodge after spending several years there. He grew up in the Leoville area, but Bill and his wife Doreen (Millar) farmed between Bapaume and the highway all their married life. She has taken up residence at Rabbit Lake’s Rose Gill Lodge where she is happy and well taken care of.
Gordon Turnbull passed away Oct. 29 at age 85 in Leoville’s Evergreen Lodge. Gordon lived his whole life in this area, being raised in the Belbutte area and then working in the Bapaume Pool elevator for years. He took over the store there before building a house and retiring in Spiritwood. He and his wife Evelyn volunteered at the Spiritwood Lodge, helping on every occasion they could, until his health put a stop to this. They ended up living in one of Spiritwood’s condos where she will remain.
With Provincial SSFA 55+ Games coming up in North Battleford on July 5, 6 and 7, everyone should be practicing to take part. Activities range from card games to physical games. Hockey and curling will be held in March. For more information contact any senior member and get a copy of their booklet Grey Matters from the hall.
Norwegian Whist was played in the afternoon Oct. 30 in Meota’s seniors’ center with top scores by Janice Morton and Carol Huys (taking turns playing). Second was Bev McCrimmon, third Vern Iverson and fourth Pat Chapman. It was a nice day and a good social time.
Contract bridge played at the Do Drop In Monday found the top score was by Maureen Campbell and second was Linda Ard.
Next Canasta night will be Nov. 6. Anyone wishing to join in should be at the hall by 6:45 p.m. so partners can be drawn for. This is always a nice social gathering.
 No one showed up for shuffleboard Monday, a wet drizzly day, but we’ll keep trying to get it active again. It is such good exercise and just fun, a nice way to spend an afternoon. The tournaments will be starting again soon, so that will increase the interest.
