The Shrove Tuesday pancake supper was held at the Do Drop In Feb. 17, sponsored by the United/Anglican Church in Meota. There was a nice turnout of happy diners. The men took care of kitchen duties, cooking the pancakes and sausages, while the ladies handled the drinks and whipped the cream. Toppings of raspberry fruit, blueberry syrup, whipped cream as well as the usual maple syrup added to the interesting dining experience.
The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles received an award for volunteerism and they didn鈥檛 even know they had been nominated. They received the flag day award from Prime Minister Steven Harper, one of 50 recipients for their volunteer work and giving back to communities.
The $30,000 raised this year will be divided between the three cancer centers in the province 鈥� Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Decisions will be made in May at the annual general meeting on how that money will be spent.
The Livelong Curling Club hosted the provincial sturling competitions Jan. 23 to 25. The champions are Red Pearce and Starla Denny. Congratulations. Livelong will be holding an open bonspiel March 13, 14 and 15.
聽The extreme weather this year makes for interesting watching of the weather channel. Eighty-five per cent of the Great Lakes are frozen over and even Niagara Falls has an ice cover with the water still running underneath that, Tourists are flocking there to witness it as the cold temperatures are setting records everywhere in eastern Canada and the United States. A fellow from Taber, Alta. went to Charlottetown to take a two-week course at the university. He could get to his classes on only four days because of the snow.
聽The February luncheon at the community hall found folks enjoying delicious pasta and salad. A few takeouts also went out to people who could not attend. It was a warmer day but with a fresh dump of two to three inches of snow, the bobcats and shovels were busy again. It鈥檚 amazing the job of street cleaning that goes on in Meota, compliments and bouquets to all who help get it done.
It鈥檚 the new years in China now and millions are travelling. Buses, planes and trains have had tickets sold out for over a month. This spring festival is one week of the year that the government gives everyone a holiday. Ken Parker is again trying to help a young Chinese student with his application to study at the University in Regina with a student visa. Ken flew to Palm Springs, Calif. Sunday to drive a car back to Olds, Alta. for an elderly lady. He is hoping the four mountain passes are clear of snow.
聽The curling is over again, and how ironic that the top teams were all from the prairies and that the Tournament of Hearts was held in Moose Jaw. Congratulations to all top teams and the 鈥渧ery green鈥� crowd of fans. The reaction to the second last game not being televised for cable viewers was not a pleasant one, when they put Nascar racing in its place, which was also showing on at least one other channel. Upset customers can phone in and express their disappointment to 306-445-4045. When you pay good money for service you expect good programming, and that they would also broadcast all the channels they have on their guide, and they could surely cut out most of those crime programs. What pleasure is there in watching people kill one another?
Our family was checking prices in New Zealand 鈥� cigarettes are $28 a package, home mortgage rates are 4.5 to 6.5 per cent, haircut straight and short is $70, adding colour or touchups can range from $140 to $300, gas is $4 to $5 a gallon or 130 litres. The minimum wage is $14.25.
聽The Sons of Norway held their fun day at the Bowlarena on Feb. 21 with a nice turnout. They started out with a great potluck dinner. Then the crowd split and two tables played Norwegian Whist while the 16 others enjoyed bowling. The Tournament of Hearts curling game was showing on the TV in the lobby so it was an exciting distraction for fans as it was Saskatchewan playing. The card winners were Lorna Pearson and Pat Chapman and booby prize went to Mae Johnson. The bowling winners were men鈥檚 high Dave Ottas and ladies鈥� high as Paulette Neale, booby prize went to Noreen Sehn. The booby prizes were potato heads. but the other prizes were baking, which everyone appreciates.
聽Last week鈥檚 letter about people having to wait outside at the bus depot regardless of weather conditions, sounds like something inhuman. How could anyone make people leave? If the bus is late, is it not the responsibility of the company, not the people鈥檚 fault? I can hardly believe such goings on in this modern world of today. Has the human kindness element disappeared? Those who pitched in to help these folks prove it has not, completely.
聽Because of the great demand for the 55 Alive course the earliest date we could get is Tuesday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a potluck lunch at noon. Call Pearl to get your name on the list at 306-892-2227.
There were so many interesting stories in last week鈥檚 paper I hope everyone enjoyed. The details of schoolhouse dances back in 1953 were so familiar. The effect of singing on the human body and spirit in the article about the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival voice adjudicator Jeri Rhya was intriguing. Brian Zinchuk reported on the freedoms that the Sun News Network defended, when no one else would. They watched as minority group rights were being imposed on Christians and they had the nerve to stand up and say so. Any news on the Opera House is exciting. We toured it one time when there was a seniors鈥� meeting held in Battleford. We still wonder whatever happened to the enormous chandeliers that used to be there.
Duplicate bridge was played at the Do Drop In Feb. 17 with top scores going to Margaret Dyck and Dave Creegan, second and third high were tied by Eric Callbeck and Maureen Campbell, and Robert Iverson and Joyce Antoine. Another nice evening enjoyed by everyone.
Contract bridge was played on Monday evening, Feb. 23 with top score by Maureen Campbell and second Eric Callbeck.
