Visiting with Stanley and Dorothy Mills were their family, youngest son Glen, Donna and Brayden of Pentiction B.C., also Donna's mother Doreen Bargholz of Summerland B.C. and Stanley and Dorothy's daughter Elaine Heriault of Mississauga, Ont. While they were all home, a 60th Wedding Anniversary for Stanley and Dorothy Mills was held at the home of Walter and Olive Mills in Westpark in Battleford on July 19 and 20. Also attending was Stanley and Dorothy's best man Robert Maxwell and his wife Elaine of Edmonton, Alta., and their bridesmaid Margaret Parrish and her husband Sam Parrish of Willowmoore - the only family on the Rowlands side of the family that has all the original wedding party still living. They all gathered at Pennydale Junction in Battleford for their family supper. A big thank you goes to our son and daughter in law Walter and Olive Mills for all the work they have done for our special day along with the help of other family members. Out of three grandchildren, only the youngest one, Brayden Mills was able to be with us. The older brother Devin Mills of Penticton and our daughter Elaine's only girl, Madeline Pishori of Mississauga, had to work and were not able to be there. Dorothy's pen pal Hilma Johnson of Okotoks, Alta. was not able to attend. Dorothy and Hilma have been writing pen pals for the past 65 years. They have visited back and forth over the years.
Stanley and Dorothy Mills were married Feb. 3, 1954, at the United Church in North Battleford with Rev. Logie presiding and a small family reception was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Leech, Stanley's grandparents, at 932-104th Sreet in North Battleford. Stanley and Dorothy made their home in Baljennie area and are still there. They spent the first six and a half years living on the farm of Bert and Peggy Mills, Stanley's parents. Later they moved to their own home on the late George and Hazel Maxwell farm. It was a very old house. Changes were done. In 1975 a newer home was brought in from North Battleford and moved out to the farm. After renovations were done they moved in to the newer home the fall of 1976 and are still there. Unfortunately on June 30, 2009 a deadly tornado tore threw their yard. The old house plus the one they lived in were left standing, but the storm did some damage. The remainder of the farm lay in ruins after the storm. The shop, Quonset, shed, barns and granaries were all demolished, scattered over the farm yard and area. Life must go on. Buildings were rebuilt and cleaned up. There are lots of reminders of the storm about the yard. Stanley and Dorothy were not hurt in the blast. A thank you to all the neighbours, family and friends who helped us out. It was wonderful to get so much help so fast.
Visiting with Stanley and Dorothy Mills was Gordon MacKinnon and Millie Ducommun of Saskatoon. Gordon use to live in North Battleofrd and was very familiar with the local area and the history it holds. Gordon just celebrated his 80th birthday. Millie Ducommun makes her home at Nanaimo, B.C., and spends part of the summer in good old Saskatchewan. Stanley Mills took Gordon on a town of the local area, where the different people Gordon knew lived, what's left of Baljennie ghost town site, the Community Centre, St. Bridgets Cemetery and mini church. Lots of photos were taken. Lots of old time memories were shared. We all shared a lovely afternoon visiting.
While Elaine was visiting, she made a trip to Rosetown to visit with her quilting friend, also to Moose Jaw for two days to help more of her quilting friends in the famous quilt store. They showed a lot of new quilting patterns and ideas. Quilting is a never ending hobby for so many ladies who like to sew. Elaine is a master quilter who runs her own profitable quilting business in Mississauga and teaches classes.
Our weather has been so wet and damp with all the heavy rain showers and such sudden fast thunderstorms and downpours. Certainly good weather for the hay makers. We did get some hot days, with more to come later, and it was on the cool side for a length of time. The crops are all enjoying it and are growing like bad weeds. Such a patchwork of colour with the bright yellow canola fields along with the lush green fields. Some of the canola fields are changing colour and are going off flower. There are a few fields of blue flax and it looks like a lake of water when it is in full bloom in early mornings.
The R.M. of Glenside workers have been doing extra work in the area, trying to control repair work to the deep pot holes on the grid road. This nasty wet rain fall is no help at all. Some roads are to be graveled soon.
This is berry season and it does bring out a lot of berry pickers, including the black bears as they like to feed on berries. A black bear has been seen in the Willowmoore area close to a farm yard along the river.
