After being ill for almost five years and knowing the newspaper was looking for a correspondent for the Mayfair area, I've decided to give it a try. My name is Elaine Woloshyn and I have resided on a farm near Whitkow for the past 36 years.
Mayfair encompasses the Whitkow, Alticane, and Mullinger areas. A population of almost 30 people (and 10 dogs) as told by a great and hard-working volunteer,聽 Alice Grigor, a retired school teacher. The hamlet of Mayfair is 45 miles northeast of North Battleford on Highways 378 and 324.
Driving on our highway can be challenging at times. Also the grid and side roads are very treacherous due to the ice on them, thus causing accidents. Many people from our area commute every day to the Battlefords to and from work, regardless of the weather.
I will try to inform everyone on our local news and upcoming events. We are a small community struggling to keep things happening here. Maryann Mischuk is the post mistress at our post office, open Monday to Friday. Janelle Lavallee works at the RM of Meeting Lake office as the RM secretary (open Monday to Thursday).
Mayfair Central school was open including kindergarten to Grade 12 until it was forced to close its doors June 2004 with a graduating class of only six students. Obviously the Northern Lakes school board made a wise decision as the enrolment declined rapidly, thus having the students bussed to Hafford, Spiritwood, North Battleford and Maymont. Yes, it is a long bus ride for some students but they adjust to it nicely.
The old wooden hip-roofed style skating arena and curling rink collapsed on Feb. 27, 1985 due to heavy snow, thus weakening the arena's roof. A few local people were suspicious the roof would collapse, so started taking supplies out of the arena kitchen and barely made it out in time.
A committee of concerned residents knew the arena was a place of activity in the winter months, so planned a new facility. It was a state of the art facility for such a small community, to have a rink that had windows the width of the waiting room, four large dressing rooms, referee and janitor's rooms and hot water floor heating. The children would take their skates off when their feet got cold and warmed them up on the heated cement floor. Ritchie Brothers of Big River were the successful bidders.
I remember working in the concession for hockey games, figure skating lessons and practices when we really didn't have what would be called a "concession booth.鈥� Some of us women had a makeshift kitchen, bringing frying pans, electric pots and tea kettles to at least prepare hamburgers and hotdogs.
The following year we volunteered our help in the new kitchen and concession. In order to raise money for this large project, other than a government grant, many local functions occurred including a talent night, dances and selling raffle tickets on items big and small. No one will ever forget the raffle on a quarter of land, tickets selling at $100 each. Many bingos were worked in North Battleford and we still do work them at Gamex Bingo. The next are scheduled for Feb. 10 and 17. We always need bingo workers! There is usually the same group of people donating their time to work these. Other community members would be greeted with open arms. If you are able to work a bingo, please call Alice Grigor at 306-246-4212 or Kolin Bulmer at 306-445-9721.
聽Coming up in Mayfair is live theatre at its best. Just ask Alan Laughlin, Rabbit Lake correspondent and he will agree. Thanks Alan for always mentioning our supper theatre but now it will be up to me to inform everyone. We have always had repeat guests coming from great distances to take in this yearly event.
This year's performance is "Jack Benny Isn't 39 Anymore" by Marv Siegel, a marvellous comedy. We have a lot of fun at practices and it will be hard to keep a straight face in some of the scenes. The play is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.and Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m. with a meal prepared by Mayfair Recreation Centre. Old Mill Players has performed for the past 14 years with every play being family entertainment. If you want to come for a hearty laugh, tickets are available from Norma Sherman at 306-824-4616, Cheryl Bulmer at 306-445-9721 and Sheila Bachledor at 306-824-4730, for $25 each. I've checked with other communities and our prices are the lowest. We will hold the tickets at the door, providing a cheque or cash is paid in advance. This event is held in the community hall.
There is always something happening at our Lakeland Library branch, a room in the hall. Librarian is Terese Toerus with library hours Tuesday 10 a.m. 鈥� 2 p.m., Wednesday 5 - 8 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Coffee is served every Tuesday at 2 p.m. The last Tuesday of every month is a "community birthday party" at 2 p.m. with cake served.
We've also have yoga classes between 7 and 8 p.m. Tuesday night at the hall with Louise Sylvester, an instructor from North Battleford. Louise originally grew up on a farm south of Mayfair, with Toerus being her maiden name.
There is a Wellness Clinic on the first Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. with a registered nurse in attendance.
Caretaker duties are being advertised for the local hall with approximately 100 hours of work per year. Position is to begin immediately and for more information about the job please contact Alice Grigor at 306-246-4212.
We also have a unique building and the group called "Creative Corners" sponsoring different craft days. I will give more information in my next report about their happenings.
A surprise 40th wedding anniversary gift was given to David and Elaine Woloshyn (my husband and I) by our four children, Curtis from Mayfair and Saskatoon, Greg residing in Red Deer, Ryan farming near Mayfair and Amanda married to Kinly Sevick from Maymont. We had one and a half weeks to prepare for a Caribbean cruise leaving Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on the Celebrity Silhouette cruise ship. The ship was 15 decks high with a capacity of 2,800 and a crew of 1,200. Their gift included the air flight to and from Fort Lauderdale to Saskatoon.
The morning we left, Nov. 30, the temperature with windchill was -35 C. The cruise ship stopped at four ports, Cozumel, Mexico (a small island), Grand Cayman Island, Jamaica, and Haiti. In Cozumel, it rained, but we still managed to shop. Touring a turtle farm at Cayman Island was educational, as we learned that some turtles could grow as big as 800 pounds. I snorkeled and swam with the many tropical fish and turtles. We also toured an eroded limestone formation that covered about three acres with forest surrounding it.
It is very expensive to live in Grand Cayman with a price tag of $10 to $12 US for a gallon of milk. Many movie stars have their beach homes there.
The people of Jamaica are friendly and outgoing. I'd love to spend about two weeks touring their country. In Jamaica we went on the Dunn's River Falls excursion and wow, what an adventure. It looks like it would be suited for only the younger generation, but older folks enjoyed the dangerous challenge. The rocks were slippery while water kept gushing forcefully at one's body. Some tourists tried, but didn't finish and we were among those who didn鈥檛, happy but tired!
The last port was Haiti, where there was a devastating earthquake a few years ago. Some of the cruise ship companies own approximately 200 acres of land, thus making tourists feel safe. There were a many open venues with local people selling their goods. Zip-lining down a mountain and over part of the Pacific Ocean was a real thrill.
We really enjoyed our cruise and would like to go on another. Interesting people from all over the world were on this cruise. It is a safe way to travel, and you don't think about the sinking of the Titanic decades ago! Excellent nightly entertainment was a top priority, as well as dining in one of the 13 restaurants. Comedians from聽 Los Angeles were excellent, also the many other things that were offered, such as cooking events, jewelry and health seminars, two swimming pools, hot tubs, sauna and exercise rooms.
I would highly recommend this to everyone. Hey, kids, what's the surprise for our 50th wedding anniversary?
We did get a surprise when we realized one of our vehicles was stolen from our yard while vacationing. The truck was located on Waterhen First Nation and SGI claims it is totalled. There has been too many thefts over the recent years in the country. What's wrong with people? If there was heavier punishment for criminals, maybe things would change.
Best wishes go out to Ann Van Nortwick who is experiencing a medical condition and is on oxygen. As we age, different surprises make our bodies change, and a lot of times, not for the better. Ann is always a supportive member in the community.
Ice fishing is a great winter attraction for the young and old local residents. They usually fish at Sandy Lake, approximately 20 miles east of Mayfair or Meeting聽 near Rabbit Lake. At times, pickerel and northern pike hit the frying pan and what a treat.
If anyone in our area has news that they would like to share with others, please give me a call at 306-445-9992 (leave a message on my answering machine if I don't answer) or fax me the news聽 to 306-446-2294.
