A memorial service for Thomas Frederick Brooks, a long time resident of Neilburg and the Freemont area, was held Dec. 13 from the Manitou Evangelical Free Church, with Pastor Mel Letkeman officiating. Special music was provided by the youth in Grades 7 through 9 at Wheatland School. Tom was a colourful character. He enjoyed nature, books, mathematics and beekeeping. He died Nov. 27 in the Maidstone Hospital at 81 years of age. He is survived by daughter, Patricia Brooks of Barrie, Ont. and two grandchildren, Tyler and Aurora. A graveside service will be held in the spring when his ashes will be interred in the Neilburg Cemetery.
The annual Neilburg Craft and Trade Show was held Nov. 27 in the Community Hall. Many interesting booths had wares for sale. The winners of the door prizes were: Lynn Rutherford; Bill Worman ; Bill Thurlow; Cassidy Wiebe; John McGarry; Kerrie Blackbeard; Shirley Nuspl; Rose Leitheiser; and Marilyn Wilson. The Neilburg Legion Ladies sold lunch at the event.
The Neilburg/Marsden United Church held their annual White Gift service Dec. 12. Joan Gibb, Shelley Spence and Rev. Lorna Brick, were the directors for the childrens' nativity play called "The Mouse's Tale." The drama was very enjoyable, telling the story of the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the animals in the stable. The actors and actresses were: Taryn Black (Old Granny Mouse); Loralee Ryan (Young Granny Mouse); Madison Fouhse (Julie Mouse); Hanna Prystupa (Joey Mouse); Paige Johnston (Stevie Sparrow); Dakota Prystupa (Clarice Cow); Courtney Cammidge (Darryl Donkey); Kale Pewapisconias (Stan the Sheep); Alisdair Ramsay-Mackenzie (Saul the Sheep); Chloe Marshall, Quinn Flicek and Jake Hein (shepherds); Kailee Johnston (Mary); Nick Hein (Joseph); Jorin Black and Isobel Ramsay-Mackenzie (angels); Carter Cammidge (Carl Camel); Wyatt Marshall (Cory Camel); and Jarrod Ryan (Conley Camel); Ron Hein, Glenn Goodfellow and Brayden Spence (wise men). After the service, a delicious hot lunch of stew was served to all in attendance.
The United Church Christmas Eve service will be held at 4:30 p.m., which is much earlier than usual, as Rev. Brick has two other services to attend in other locations.
Congratulations to Jennifer Kim and Silas Polkinghorne, who were married in Sooke, B.C. June 26. They are both studying and working in Toronto, but are back in Saskatchewan for Christmas.
