The seniors’ regional meeting was held in Edam on April 12 and was well attended and most interesting. Nine of the 16 clubs gave reports of their clubs’ activities for the year where we pick up new ideas. All have had a busy year, but many clubs are getting smaller as so many folks over 50 are still so active they don’t consider themselves to be seniors. These are the folks we need to carry on.
A list of things accomplished by senior organizations was read, including the old age pension and other initiatives. The business, including resolutions and reports was taken care of in the morning. A break for a delicious lunch was enjoyed at noon. Then two young fellows entertained us with their guitar, accordion and voice. Then the program was turned over to Pam Karlson who spoke on medication management for seniors. Many spoke to her after as everyone has some medication they are dealing with and found her to be very informative. Next year the regional meeting will be held in St. Walburg.
The April meeting of the Do Drop In was held April 1. The plaque is on order for names of deceased members, so should be taken care of this spring. The new executive conducted the meeting, Eric Callbeck is chair and Gwen Lacerte is secretary. A grant has been received to help solve the problem of ice in front of the building so, by working with the village council, that may be resolved. The next shuffleboard tournament was set for April 16 at 10 a.m. Long-time member Rose Delainey has moved to Edmonton to be near family. Lawrie Ward presented one of his framed pencil drawings, Wagon of the West, and it was gratefully accepted and later hung. It is a very nice addition to the room. The hall has been rented to the Moldon family for June 25 when the family bring their mother’s ashes to inter in the Meota Cemetery. There will be a noon meal for the family followed by a tea for the public later. Score sheets for those who are walking are available at the hall. Next meeting will be May 6. Come with some ideas for summer activities.
A pleasant evening was enjoyed April 13 in the Don Ross Center gymnasium by nearly a dozen Meota folks when Rivers West presented awards to various groups or individuals for their part in volunteer work done for their community. First they offered a delicious supper, buffet style, by Sigstads Prairie Catering. Meota Lakeshore Lions Club received their award under the heading for Culture – Development and Promotion. It was accepted by Maurice Schaefer, vice-president of the Meota club.
Norwegian whist was played in the back room at Mr. Ribs café in North Battleford on April 15 with four tables in play. The top score went to Lorna Pearson, second high was Linda Ard, third was Joyce Luckey and fourth was Arlene Walker. Supper was enjoyed by everyone and it was a nice social time for all. We missed Anna Tucker who was in hospital, but a piece of the birthday cake was sent up with her husband Ken. Murray McCrimmon supplied the cake as it was Bev McCrimmon’s birthday that day and Pat Chapman’s the next day. In two weeks, Norwegian whist will be played at the Do Drop In April 29.
The noon luncheon at the Community Complex in Meota was a full-house event again, as more tables were set up to accommodate folks. People really do enjoy the monthly outing sharing fellowship and excellent food offered. Pearl Hawkins, on behalf of the hall board, expressed their appreciation for the money donated and participation of about 100 people.
The shuffleboard tournament went over well April 16 at the Do Drop In with 19 people taking part. Snack food is set out all day with a great lunch offered at noon with two pots of soup, veggies, fruit and baking. Top score was by Bev McCrimmon and Gerald, second by Muriel Tebay and Maurice Bru, third by Linda Ard and Stella and in fourth were Arlene Walker and Charles Walker. There will likely be another one held in May.
The National Youth Band of Canada is the most comprehensive music education project offered by the Canadian Band Association. From May 8 to 14 the band will be in Saskatchewan, based at the University of Saskatchewan, for one week. This includes accommodations and rehearsal facilities. Starting May 8 there is an evening rehearsal then three days of intensive rehearsal. They will play at several centers in the province. They will be in the Dekker Center May 12 at 7:30 with Dr. Jason Caslor conducting. This organization picks about 40 young Canadians between 16 and 22 to make up their band each year. They have to send in an audition tape or disc to compete. After being chosen they receive the music that they will play at their next concert, to practice. This is all wind instruments, not a mixed band. Jason is the son of Karl and Irene Caslor of Meota. He attended a competition in Toronto about 20 years ago. Now he returns as conductor of this youth band. It just happens in the program’s 25th year, the concert is being presented in Saskatchewan. They will perform in Saskatoon Friday, May 13.
Vera and Virgil Trytten of Meota spent their winter in Australia with their daughter Tara and Brian Clarke and her children Scarlett and Fraser. They had a wonderful winter enjoying good weather, watching their grandchildren at their activities and spending Christmas with them. On their way home they detoured and toured the northern island of New Zealand, which they also enjoyed.
Mary and Walter Tait enjoyed the company of Mary’s nephew David Simpson and his wife Aileen and their children, 14-year-old Andrew and 12-year-old Elizabeth, for 10 days. David is a mechanic from near Biggar in Lanarkshire, in Scotland. He had been to Canada as a single man 20 years ago and wanted to show his family the country here. From Toronto he took them to see Niagara Falls and saw quite a difference in the development since being there before. While here they did something every day, going to museums, visiting the Tait relatives and other activities. Their final fling was to go to Banff, with Gail and Doug Scorgie driving two cars and spent a couple days in a condo there while sight-seeing. The family returned to Scotland from Calgary airport.
 Contract bridge was played in the Do Drop In Monday evening with top score by Lyn Smith, second was Maureen Campbell.
I attended the cowboy poetry in Mayfair on Sunday accompanied by Doreen Baynes of Rabbit Lake. It was a long time since we had done something together and it was a nice day. Elaine will report on the program, so I will only say we enjoyed it and the meal at noon.
