Though Saskatchewan is known far and wide for its winter cold snaps, the first month of 2018 has shown some particularly cold temperatures. The extreme cold hit a drastic low this past Thursday and Friday. Getting as cold as -40 without wind chill, buses didn鈥檛 run and many cars wouldn鈥檛 start.
One truth to rural versus urban living is undoubtedly vulnerability to the elements. Isolation resulting from the extreme cold is a true reminder to be aware of the responsibilities of rural living in the Boreal Forest. Importance of keeping good supplies of water, food, and activities for the days when weather simply will disallow leaving the house cannot be over emphasized.
With the farm style living, homes are further apart and require a strong network of interlacing back and main roads to keep all well during the winter months. Access to necessary services can be a 20-minute drive in poor conditions, all within the RM of Medstead.
One of these necessary services is the bus routes that shuttle our little ones to and from their place of education. For the two coldest days, buses didn鈥檛 run their routes. Sensibly so, as a broken down bus in -40 with children is a situation desired by none. With a high majority of students being from out of town, numbers of students able to make it to the regular school day were low.
Second grader Julia Fevang says about her class attendance, 鈥淥n Friday there were five and the day before that there were four kids. On Thursday there were three Grade 2s and one Kindergarten student. Of the five, there were three Grade 2ers and two kids in Grade 1.
聽鈥淎lmost all of it was free time. We did do lunch and snack. Also, after lunch, instead of going outside, you go to the gym and play,鈥� Fevang commented on the content of the days without bus service for the younger grades.
Weather remains unpredictable and powerful in the untempered winters of our province. In light of this chilling reminder of the unpredictable nature of the season, it gives residents a chance to plan for other winter events such as extreme snowfall, slick roads and power outages. It takes planning and preparation to contentedly brave the winters of the north, and thankfully the village is ready with the neighbors and businesses to prepare and react. In one of the few areas left with privilege of open space and true community, preparedness and planning are a small sacrifice for the return of the quiet Medstead life.
