Sympathy to the Ross family on the recent passing of Edwin Ross of North Battleford. Edwin was born and raised in the Spinney Hill area, attended Spinney Hill School, later to marry Margaret Laventure of Wilson Lake area. She came to teach school at Spinney Hill. They ran a mixed farm for a few years, then they went to Horizon where Edwin was a grain agent. He was also grain agent at Baljennie for a short time. They raised a family of four children. The went back to the farm for a few more years and ran a greenhouse and grew hot house tomatoes before retiring to North Battleford. Margaret passed away a few years ago. The funeral was held in Battleford and burial at the Spinney Hill Cemetery.
Most farmers are done seeding except for the cattlemen who seed later for swath grazing cattle later in the fall. It was a long drawn out operation this spring as it has been cool and wet.
Most corps are showing good signs of new growth, but its all slow due to the lack of sunshine. Some fields are being sprayed for various things.
You would almost think we were living in the northern areas of our province for the large amount of wildlife about the area. A lone black bear has been about for a while, now a mother black bear and two cubs have been seen close by. They are hanging close by at a beaver dam for handouts if they can get any. Then you look down the hill and in the field there is a mother moose and her little one at her side. A pair of larger moose have already made a venture through the vegetable garden and on into the field of canola. Many have been seen about.
The white-tailed and mule deer are about and they like to take the little trips through the garden and yard areas nipping at what looks good to eat. They are just checking out what's good to eat as the garden grows.
Then comes the bush rabbits and squirrels. We also have a pair of grey bush squirrels about the garden and they like to visit the greenhouse to check on the lids on the wild bird seed pails. They love to snatch whatever they can get at. They appear to be quiet. Then there is the red squirrel and that's another story to keep up with them all. They just seem to keep on coming. What a mess they can make of things and the bird house entrances. They disappear quickly out of our yard if we can get them. They are so quick. They are not welcome at all. They are just too destructive. There are lots of other native treed areas where they can make their homes and not bother the farmyard.
The bush rabbits are getting plentiful about the yard. They do make a mess of the bush spring flowers. They seem to head for the farmyards for shelter from the ever roaming coyotes. The bush rabbits don't last long in our yard if you can see them now in the taller grass and bushes and get out of sight fast. Don't see too many porcupines and skunks about.
This seems to be the year and season for the wood ticks. They are everywhere just waiting for a chance to be on you and on the little animals. Dogs are a good target for them and boy they do like people as well.
Most farmyards and corrals are cleared out of cattle. They have all been taken to their summer pastures. The grass growth seems to progress well with all the cooler days.
