Celebrating her 100th birthday was a fantastic event for Mary Moffat (nee Welford) of Calgary, Alta., who recently moved from her house into a senior care home. Earl Van Nortwick recalls Mary boarding with his parents, Lloyd and Mary Van Nortwick, when Earl was 12 years old while Mary Moffat was a school teacher at Redfield. Back then, in the mid-1930s, Earl's childhood days were spent on the family farm one mile south of where Marcel and Nancy Stroo lived until moving to North Battleford. Mrs. Moffat has relatives living in the Battlefords and a nephew, Henry (Linda) Welford, who farms in the Lilac district. For the older generation reading this article, Andrew Moffat's son Joe married Mary while teaching in Redfield. Andrew Welford farmed south of Garry (Sandra) Napastuk's present yard and some of the old log farm site is nestled in tangled, overgrown caragana trees. Mary Moffat's husband died many years ago, but she has two daughters, Joan (Calgary) and Marion (Swift Current).
Speaking of the surname, Napastuk, 45-year-old Sheldon, a former CFL football player and son of Sandra and Garry, attended his primary schooling at Mayfair Central School then graduated in North Battleford. He studied on a scholarship at Iowa State University and is presently employed at Royal LePage Foothills Commercial Division in Calgary. His wife Amanda is originally from Regina and they have a young family.
Lorena Lafreniere and some family members attended the funeral of 57-year-old Michael Poulton of Chitek Lake, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack. His funeral was on Nov. 13. Michael (Leona) had two grown, married daughters. Amy resides in Drake and Amanda resides in Abbottsford, B.C.
Laurie Surprenant, co-owner of the general store in Chitek Lake, is Michael's sister. Leonard (Joan) Raiche of North Battleford is also related to Michael.
Sending Barbara (Ken) Sorenson get well wishes as she was in a Saskatoon hospital for a few days.
Arnold Nesseth had a birthday celebration Nov. 14 with some family and friends in attendance. There must have been many candles on his cake, maybe too many for Arnold to blow out, so did his grandchildren help out? Wishing Arnold many more healthy and cheerful days in the coming years. Arnold has two sons, Nigel and Aaron, who are married and both have children. Aaron (Pamela) farms not too far from his father's yard. Arnold's deceased wife Mary had a thriving business called Gentle Touch in Battleford until her passing approximately 10 years ago.
Former resident Jean Chapman passed away in Brooks, Alta. Nov. 12. She is survived by her daughter Gwen and brother Frank Pozdrowski of Speers. The graveside memorial service is scheduled for Nov. 28 at St. Joseph's Cemetery (six miles east of Mayfair) at 1 p.m., followed by lunch at the Mayfair Hall.
The warm rays of sun seemed to have brought out the abundance of people who attended the fall supper Nov. 8 at Mayfair Hall. The crowd was estimated at 300 hungry individuals, who thoroughly enjoyed the turkey and ham supper with all of the trimmings, not to mention homemade pie for dessert. Some bragged of indulging in eating three pieces of pie. Do you think they had to eat the next day? The CWL thanks all of the people who attended and those who donated, prepared and cooked food, washed dishes and collected the door money. A function this size requires many volunteers.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for the Christmas Craft Show at Mayfair Hall Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa will be in attendance at 3 p.m. for the kids and the young at heart. Apparently there are 32 tables booked with all sorts of items. Come and do some of your Christmas shopping as there will be a variety of food, knick-knacks and some home-based businesses. A concession consisting of homemade food will certainly not disappoint the hungry folk and prices will be very reasonable.
Old time dance lessons are on Tuesdays, Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and 15. It is not too late to join and even if you come for one session you will have learned a couple of new dances. For more information, call Elaine at 306-445-9992.
A fun-filled community Christmas potluck and program is scheduled for Dec. 6 at the hall. Whoever donates a casserole will get in for free. Lunch is at 1 p.m. with a Christmas program including wee children to older adults at 2:30 p.m. then coffee after the program. The money raised will be donated to charity. For more information call me at 306-445-9992.
Aren't we blessed with these wonderful warm autumn days lately? The forecast I heard was for snowflakes last weekend, but fortunately this did not materialize. There are people scrambling in their yards still putting away plant pots, decorative garden items, wheelbarrows, gardening utensils and Lord knows what else. I must admit I am in this category and am also trying to hang up Christmas lights with two grown cats jumping and trying to play with the bulbs, not to mention me getting tangled up in the strings of lights. Gee, putting up all these decorations for a colourful display takes much energy and perhaps another set of hands. I do not need cats' paws to assist me!
