In the April 16 edition of Regional Optimist, I totally agree with Christine Pike from Waseca on her well-written letter "Verbal abuse is a serious, nasty crime.鈥� I think it has gotten worse over the last few decades, or was it so well hidden and it is just more noticeable now? Society has gotten worse and we are supposed to be in the generations that are so well educated and high tech in every aspect. A lot of it starts right at home when children are young and some parents neglect their responsibilities. Are they just too busy with their own lives or are their lifestyles something to be desired? Respect for others should be a high priority, or is it that parents do not possess that quality themselves? When there is no respect, then the word "bully" is very predominant.
With some people, alcohol, drugs, gambling etc. are such big parts of their lives they forget the simple things. How do we as a society get on track to have better citizens? Yes, verbal abuse is a very serious, nasty crime. Let's stamp out the bullies and tyrants.
Ryan Woloshyn and Kate Acaster flew to Las Vegas during Easter week for a four-day stint. They claim gambling was definitely not a priority, but the live entertainment for big ticket prices was fantastic.
I ran out of time at Agrimex held at the Agriplex April 11. I haven't been to one in ages and did I ever see many new attractions that I could have in my house and yard. Everything comes with a price tag, it's only human to want to spend money, just ask my husband.
A big thank you to North Battleford Home Hardware Building Centre for the donation of a cowboy painting for the western cowboy entertainment held in Mayfair Hall April 18. I purchased quite a few pictures for gifts and mentioned that a fundraiser was planned and I needed a picture for this event. They generously donated a lovely picture without me even asking for one. That store has awesome giftware and one doesn't have to drive to Saskatoon or Lloydminster to purchase nice things.
Mayfair's Save a Third World Child was deemed a success after counting the money we raised. The entertainment was amazing. I will not mention everybody, but 19-year-old Dylan Sylvester (son of former Mayfair School teacher Doug and wife Louise) delighted the crowd with his banjo and harmonica skills. He could have sold more CDs, but ran out. The library branch at the hall will have some for sale with his auntie Teresa Toews being in charge of this.
Dylan is known across western Canada as a busker. For people that aren't familiar with this word, it is "one who entertains by singing on the streets or in pubs.鈥� I can't wait to purchase his CD. I thought I had when he donated a CD to our silent auction table, but being busy that evening making sure the program was running smoothly, I forgot to run back to the auction table to check my bid. Joanne Strain was the successful bidder. Enjoy his music, Joanne.
Thank you to all entertainers and volunteers for a great fun-packed evening.
Since I was in Yuma in March, I tried to catch up on my reading the newspapers when I arrived back home. David Dekker has retired after being very successful with his father, Harry Sr.'s, radio station CJNB. He was a very hard working and dedicated person. I learned from my daughter Amanda who was employed by the station for a short while before giving birth to her first son that David loves babies. A couple of times when she returned for a short visit to show off Parker, David had to hang onto her baby. He and his wife Barb have been grandparents for at least a year or so and are probably driving to Edmonton more often now.
Melfort is the host centre for the provincial adult drama competition April 19 to 25. North Battleford Community Players are entering Drinking Alone, a well-acted play by an excellent cast. I saw this live theatrical performance at Persephone Theatre approximately 10 years ago and of course more recently by this club in February at the Western Development Museum.
I plan on being a spectator for three days this week in Melfort, as I love live theatre, especially comedies. Sister Janet Gauthier always has a bed for me when I am in that area. She and her husband Mike live in St. Brieux, which is a 20-minute drive from Melfort. Also my oldest brother and his wife, Ron and Marie Gregoire, reside on a farm near St. Brieux.
April 16, 11 of us from Mayfair were entertained by the Cochin Community Players with The Foursome by Norm Foster. It was a golf course setting about four college buddies attending a 15-year reunion who decide to go golfing at 7 a.m. They reacquaint themselves all the while competing and betting money on the holes, teasing and sharing personal stories of failures and successes. The actors were excellent and what a crowd pleaser. It is the most hilarious play that I have ever seen (and I partake as an actress with Mayfair's Old Mills Players and as a spectator).
It is nice to wake up to robins chirping and geese honking while flying overhead. Pussy willows and crocuses, not to mention nasty dandelions, are growing abundantly. Enjoy the many wonders of spring!
