Deepest sympathy goes out to the Bater families of North Battleford, formerly of Baljennie area, on the recent passing of Lorna Bater on Oct. 4. She was 86 years old. She had spent some time at Battlefords Union Hospital.
Lorna (Ross) Bater was born and raised by her parents David and Gwen Ross along with her sister Doreen Parker of Biggar and a brother Murray, who was tragically killed in a car accident a few years ago.
Lorna attended Spinney Hill School. She later met Philip Bater and they were married May 4, 1957. Philip was working on road construction on old Highway 5 at Denholm, later to be Highway 16. They moved to Alberta to work and then moved a house trailer back to the farm at Baljennie. They farmed with his dad, Headly Bater, for a few years. When Philip’s parents both passed away, Philip and Lorna moved into the farm home that used to be the old telegraph office up near the old Battleford Trail. In the 1980s they acquired a new house to replace it. The old house was relocated to become a workshop. They had a family of two sons, Dwayne and Gregore, Philip passed away on July 9, 2018. Greg then took over the farming. Lorna remained on the farm until illness sent her to the hospital. Dwayne and his family all live in North Battleford. Lorna did get to meet her great-grandson before she passed away.
The North Battleford Western Development Museum outdoor village was closed to visitors Sept. 30. The doors are still open for turning inside exhibits. Because of COVID-19, volunteers are still not being called in to assist. It was a strange summer season for museum staff and volunteers. Light up the Heritage Village will open Dec. 2 and run to Jan. 7. It is open daily from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Proceeds will go to repairing Heritage Village buildings.
There has been a spell of dry harvest weather. Combines have been going steady. A few rain showers held up operations for a couple days, but harvest in the area has almost been completed. Yields were good in spite of a not-normal summer season. Frost put an end to crops not yet ripened.
The harvest moon has passed and cooler weather is coming.
Flocks of crows, geese and ducks are feeding in fields preparing for their long tirp south for the winter. Most garden produce has also been harvestad and in storage.
