In the early 1950s Baljennie, Spinney Hill, Sonningdale and other areas were all signed up for Sask. Power lines to be built. All signed up homes had to be wired for the power. The busy workers got the lines built and what a welcome sight to see the power hooked up on Dec. 11, 1955, even the little town of Baljennie had some street lights. That was 62 years ago.
Around the same time Saskatoon CFQC radio was providing television. Just days after the television station was broadcast to the public in December, the first TV antenna was set up in my Uncle Jack Gardiner鈥檚 workshop in Baljennie. That was a busy spot and a lot of interested people came to see what this new little square box with a window in front was all about. Many neighbours flocked in to the shop in the evenings to get a view of the programs on. Pretty soon antennas were springing up all over. We鈥檝e now progressed to colour TV and the antennas are gone, replaced by cable or satellite dishes.
Our long stretch of mild weather came to a sudden end when Old Man Winter opened the door. It has brought out all the extra warm clothes for everyone. We are lucky not to have to great amount of snow and ice to begin winter. Though, it may just hang around and last a while. Take care and make sure you are dressed warmly for it. Remember to take extra supplies and clothing if you are travelling far. You never know what might happen.
In Baljennie write up in the Dec.8 Regional Optimist there was a mistake in the spelling of Martin Siminson.
A big thank you goes to all those helping people who inform me of their district and family happenings. Just remember, I鈥檓 always looking for interesting news stories. Thank you all ever so much.
Merry Christmas as we rejoice in the sound of the words and the glory of the message of peace on Eart and goodwill to all. But we do not always feel the meaning in our hearts and put it to work in our lives. The spirit of Christmas should not be confined to a single day nor is it, for those who truly believe in goodwill to all, honour it in their hearts and live it in their lives every day of the year. They cherish the continuing warmth of friendship of the babe who lived to teach us peace and love. And though friends may be far away or seldom met, that too makes no difference. The steady flow of hope and good will continues to blend together those who put their trust in the power of loving kindness.
My husband Stanley and I would like to wish all my readers of Baljennie News and all the other country correspondents a merry Christmas. Also a special merry Christmas to the publishers and News-Optimist and Regional Optimist staff. Keep up the good work as we sure do need the newspapers and look forward to it arriving every week. We do need our country and the Battlefords news and happenings.
