Are these the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer? I鈥檓 not sure about the lazy or crazy as everyone seems super busy getting things done. I can vouch for the hazy as smoke from the north obscures the usual blue skies of July. This is the driest and hottest summer since 2002 and yet I seem to be outside almost all the time. Perhaps there is some truth to the saying that mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon-day sun! Sure glad I鈥檓 Irish!
I think the heat and drought has been on everyone鈥檚 minds as temperature rise over 30 C. I commented to Shelly as we drove to North Battleford that it seems like no time at all since we were commenting on the fact that the ditches and the hills were greening up, now there are rows of cut hay and bales dotting the fields.聽 Speaking of haying 鈥� well it only took Cornie Martens to hay the schoolyard and green spaces in town to bring on the rain. Tuesday evening we welcomed and inch and a half of rain. It seems haying and raining have some connection.
Several things have been happening involving Rabbit Lake people.聽 Not often does the sky scape of Rabbit Lake change, but it did this summer. The former Rose Gill Hospital that has stood firmly on the northwest corner of town since 1926 has taken up a new location at the Rabbit Lake and District Museum grounds. The move happened just in time so people could tour it after the annual museum church service and barbecue. Many people have many stories to tell about that old building.
When the relay for life began in North Battleford about 13 years ago, Isabelle McLennan formed a team called the Rabbit Lake Miracle Bunnies. Various people have been on the team but Isabelle has captained them all. This year鈥檚 participants were Dave and Nancy Penley, Gordon Pacholko, Cindy Miller, Carol Ferguson, Shelly Nelson Amber and children, Ruth Hrynewich, Jeannette Krelow, Bob Lamb, Jennifer Lamb and Barry along with his daughters and Alan Laughlin. This year the crew raised $1,534.
June 25, Colleen Kristoferson and Melissa McCloy, municipal advisors from Regina along with the councils of Rabbit Lake, the RM of Round Hill and administrator Cindy Miller met the ratepayers at a public meeting in the Rabbit Lake Community Hall. The major topic of discussion was the transitioning of the village to becoming a special service area in the RM of Rabbit Lake.聽 The municipal advisors addressed the myths that seem to surface when restructuring takes place and ratepayers had a chance to ask questions about the process of restructuring along with other more general questions. The restructuring agreement is available for reading at the village/RM office.
Thanks once again to Mary MacDonald for planting and tending to the many planters full of flowers that are sprucing up the village.
Some highlights are the achievements of Liam Aumack and his awards related to his 4-H project. We are always proud of the achievements of our local people. Congratulations to Janelle Martens on her graduation from Rosthern Junior College. The June winner of the Rabbit Lake Library treat of the month was Doreen Baynes of Rose Gill Lodge. Way to go, Doreen.
Congratulations to Jake and Cecilia Krahn on their 60th wedding anniversary. Jake and Cecelia celebrated the event with their family in Saskatoon.
A big 鈥渉appy birthday鈥� goes to Sid Penley who celebrates his 90th birthday. Sid鈥檚 family and the community will celebrate July 18 and 19. Sid is a veteran of the Second World War. I wonder how many Second World War veterans are still with us?
Ruth Hrynewich鈥檚 family hosted a milestone birthday party for Ruth at Meeting lake Regional Park July 12. I won鈥檛 say how old Ruth is other than to say that she is 10 years younger than Sid Penley.
There have also been some sad events already this summer. We send our community condolences to Veronica MacDonald on the passing of her father, Josef Orosz of Spiritwood and to David and Candy Ernst of the passing of David鈥檚 father Bill Ernst.
Get well wishes go to Ewald and Marion Miller, Clifford Smith and Dave Siegel, all of whom have had some health issues.
A big thank you to all of the community members who helped out in any way with the Carlton Trail Jamboree. Approximately 1,000 people came to help fill the hill. The weather was great and the entertainment was excellent. Everyone I talked to had a good time and the reviews on Facebook were certainly positive. I think Alain Grosjean of North Battleford was the most pleased of all. He won $3,915 on the 50-50 draw.
So what is coming up? Aug. 22 the Rabbit Lake and District Board of Trade will be hosting the annual Rabbit Lake Days. Be ready to play bunnock and to eat roast beef.聽 Check the posters for details.
