As we finally have joined the rest of this province in getting somewhat damp, I know that anyone who is trying to grow something around here has been happy to see good old Mother Nature finally getting around to moistening our parched soil. Unlike some of our friends in the south, we have been getting to the point that the term dry was an understatement. For the campers though, I think they would have wished that it had been a little drier for the weekend, but I haven't heard any of them complain.
Wednesday is voting day here in Meota. We have one village council seat to fill due to the fact that Terry Tait is no longer a resident of the village and no longer qualifies to sit as a member of council. In a way this is unfortunate since I know Terry has been diligent in his role. On behalf of all residents I want to thank Terry for all he has done as mayor for one term and as a councillor. Today we have two others who have thrown their hats into the ring for the vacant seat. Both Ray Knowles and Lloyd Foulds (more commonly known as Floodsey) are running for the position. Thank for your interest, guys. I salute both of you for having the community spirit and wanting to serve.
June 18 saw the grand opening of the new library facility here in Meota. It was great to see the place packed with people for this event. It was standing room only in the library and the hallway as so many turned out. In a short ceremony a few words were said by Ally Raycraft, who is chairperson of the Lakeland Library board, Donna Challis, interim director of Lakeland Library, John MacDonald, mayor of Meota, Glenn Wouters, mayor of Metinota, and Lawrie Ward, president of the Meota Lakeshore Lions, who all have a hand in supporting this facility. I can't say for sure that the rain helped in getting so many out for the afternoon, but I am sure that it did not hurt. After the ceremonies folks continued to visit and enjoy themselves as well as partake of the bake sale and refreshments.
One thing that is happening around here is an increased amount of oil field action. I have some mixed emotions on this. First of all I, along with everyone else in this country, depend on oil and its by products. Every car we operate needs oil in its crankcase to keep it lubricated while we drive. Some may say they are using only synthetic oil, but when you check into it you will find the term synthetic does not mean it comes from other sources. You will find it refers to the process of refining, so you are still using a product from the same source.
Even though I use oil and gas every trip I take and use natural gas to heat my home, I try to be as economical in their usage as possible. And, even though I know that I am tied to these products, there is a side to our obtaining them that bothers me. And that is the unsightliness of the rigs and tanks that are such a blot our prairie panorma. This has even hit closer to home this week. Now as I look out my back yard the central thing I see is a rig where before I had a clear view out into the countryside. I just wish there was some way to not pollute the beautiful landscape with such ugliness. I think (this is Brenda) that a few vines or branches attached to the rigs might help to camouflage it.
Quote: "Unity is something to be desired, to be striven for, but it cannot be willed into being by mere declarations." Conor Cruise O'Brien
