MEOTA — The cold spell last week should have the ice thick enough for the ice shacks going out, soon.
It was -30 C last Friday but that didn’t stop a dozen folks from enjoying their regular canasta playing in the afternoon at the Do Drop In. Top score went to Nestor Fransoo and Lorna Pearson. Second were Carol Huys and Linda Ard and third were Karn Kelly and Gail Hilderman.
The bridge players didn’t play Tuesday afternoon, but set up three tables Thursday afternoon Dec. 1. Section A top score went to Margaret Dyck and Dave Creegan. Second were Jean Lawes and Fraser Glen. In section B, top were Linda Ard and Albert Blais.
In Calgary there’s a street called Meota Road NE in the area called Mayland Heights.
Friday, my son Brad and sister Linda took me into the casino for supper and what a meal that was. Saturday my two granddaughters, Shari and Lori, and their spouses and children came down for the day, bringing lunch with them. A nice birthday present. Saturday my daughter, Sally, spent the night with me before heading on to Alberta.
The senior supper was held Dec.4 with about 40 folks attending. President Eric Callbeck was the emcee. It was a potluck supper with turkey and ham provided by the club. What an amazing collection of the best of everything these local cooks brought out. Each one brought something they knew people would enjoy. The pool table was covered with a variety of desserts, something for everyone.
Once the dishes were cleared away the evening opened with Keegan Isaac from Prince entertaining by singing Christmas songs accompanied by himself on his keyboard. Then a change of pace as Reta Rose of Battleford played the piano for community singing of more carols. Then Keegan again sang a variety of songs which everyone enjoyed. He had recordings of his music for sale.
Birthdays were recognised for myself and for Eric Callbeck, which we appreciated. Hence the evening drew to a happy close, everyone smiling from being full and happy to see familiar faces, some they hadn’t seen since before COVID. The men pitched in and stacked the chairs and took down tables, and ladies finished up in the kitchen, bringing another annual supper to a happy close.
The Meota Lakeshore Lions are holding a New Year’s Eve dance to ring in the new year. Arson Entertainment will be DJing to get you up and dancing all night long beginning at 7 p.m. There is an entry fee of $20. and a draw for $1,000 door prize donated by Lashberg Towing, but you have to be there to claim. Bamm Welding and Oh My Dawg Pet Salon are donating a guaranteed 50/50 prize worth $500. Midnight lunch will be provided. No minors admitted.
Meota Grand Slam of Curling
(Submitted by Derek Welford)
It’s been 268 days since the finale of the ground-breaking inaugural season of the Meota Grand Slam of Curling. It was what many considered a sporting dream, where each end was filled with a number and memory, and every score had a story to tell. Coming off an offseason filled with intense contract negotiations and key free-agent signings, the first rock thrown Thursday night signalled the beginning of a new chapter.
Fifteen accomplished teams enter this season’s quest for the silver broom, all looking for their introduction into history.
The reigning president’s trophy winning Pat Mohr rink returned to action Thursday night, as they faced off against a new-look Evan Schmidt rink. Schmidt did a complete overhaul on his team after failing to reach agreements to bring back Jim Cole and Colin Sharp in the offseason. Thankfully being able to retain lead Darrell McCarthey, Schmidt brought in key talents Lloyd Malenfant and Damon Schaefer to hopefully improve on their 6-5-1 record last year. It was a tough showing in their season debut for Team Schmidt, as they were dismantled easily by the Mohr rink 9-2.
Two teams with identical 5-7 records last year, Wanda Weber faced off against Terry Tait on the featured sheet. After giving up five consecutive steals of one, Tait showed resiliency and climbed back into the game making it close in the final end. However, Weber held on to win 7-4.
The Derek Welford and Zane Lacousiere rinks battled it out on the third sheet. The Lacousiere rink surprised the opposition with last-minute pick-up Gordy Derenoski playing lead. Fans and players alike couldn’t tell if it was 25 years or 25 days since he last played, as Derenoski played flawlessly in relief. It was Welford who jumped out to a commanding 6-0 lead, but Lacousiere clawed right back to make it close with a couple strong ends. It wasn't enough though, as Welford hung on 6-5 to start the season in the win column.
An action-packed week awaits at the curling rink, as five new teams make their long-awaited entrances into the grand slam of curling with seven games on the schedule starting Tuesday night.
