The news is coming to you this week from the chilly, wet banks of the Beaver River at Beauval. You could even see your breath outside today. Daughter Sal and Norm and son Brad and Janine invited me to come for the week to enjoy the nature in the north country with them. The boys went fishing this morning when it was drizzly but then the rain really got serious. They returned wet and cold, even though they were well dressed, with a couple of fish. We all had a turn yesterday, in the warm sunshine and got enough nice fish for a great supper. Today Sal made buns and cinnamon rolls so again great feasting with fish.
Travelling north of Cochin it was good to see the Osprey nest, up on a separate pole by the power pole they had to replace after the fires. Various places along the highway north of Green Lake you could see where plow winds had passed thorough, bending the trees or breaking them off. Here we have enjoyed watching a bald eagle diving for his supper in the river out front. Two pretty swans took off as we neared with the boat. We have heard the loons often and last night a baby beaver swam across into the reeds. We heard one slap its tail three times. They were very loud smack. A large blue heron was on the river this morning,
The Big River sawmill has been operating since last year, but they had an official opening May 13 with Brad Wall cutting the ribbon held by company president Bill Kordyban and MLA Nadine Wilson. This mill closed in 2006, Carrier Forest Products bought the site in 2010. There is a planer mill attached and by mid-June the company hopes to have it up and running to full capacity. They also own the sawmill in Price Albert that may open down the road, once the Big River mill is well established.
Attending the regional SSAI meeting in Pierceland on May 21 were director Linda Ard, Gwen Lacerte and Lorna Pearson from the Meota club. Club reports were given by many clubs - Goodsoil, Loon Lake, Pierceland, Paynton, Livelong, St, Walburg, Lashburn, Edam and Meota. Most clubs average about 50 to 60 members, all getting older each year. Efforts are being made to attract younger folks, by various means. The provincial president Sheila Rhigi and her partner Victor Goodman from Prince Albert attended. One of the main resolutions that will be dealt with at the provincial convention in June is asking the government for help to assist the smaller clubs to survive so they can keep their centres open for social and physical benefits for their members, as part of their ongoing 'keep healthy' program.
Because of road conditions the meeting opened late so they proceeded to have lunch before getting into the business of the day. Pierceland club offered a lovely cold meal with fabulous desserts as well. They surely were great hostesses. Their building is a former school and it serves them well. All the resolutions that will be dealt with at the convention in the Heritage Inn in Saskatoon June 4, 5 and 6, were read aloud.
In Meota the hummingbirds are back, along with those pretty Goldfinch, that stay all summer.
Canasta was played on Friday evening, May 23 at the Do Drop In. High score went to Linda Ard and Gwen Lacerte while in second were John Soloninko and Arlene Walker. They were close games, with all good scores.