There is another addition to the Salisbury family in Mullingar. Congratulations to Julie and Jack Scott on the arrival of a bouncing baby boy, Trig James, born June 22. He is a little brother to two-year-old Georgia. Proud grandparents are Violet and Jim Salisbury, who can now boast of having eight grandchildren. Jack's parents, who reside in Cape Breton, N.S., recently travelled to see the family.
Sounds like Rabbit Lake's Bunnock Tournament will be a challenge to the participants. This is a growing sport throughout the region in which many families participate as teams. Mark your calendar for Aug. 22, with registration starting at 9 a.m. and tournament proceeding at 10:30 a.m.
The Rabbit Lake Museum committee will start the day with an egg, sausage and pancake breakfast. There will be a trade show, garage sales, flea market, games, face painting and free train rides to tour the village. There will also be great food. Visitors can create plaques by sawing off a piece of wood, personalize it and taking it home. The day's events are sponsored by Rose Gill Lodge, Rabbit Lake Museum, the recreation centre and the library.
My niece Shannon Gauthier from Saskatoon (formerly of North Battleford) sold many of her interesting paintings at the International Street Performer Festival in North Battleford two weekends ago. People that I know who attended really enjoyed this festival, so I am sure that in the future, it will become more known throughout the area. Shannon is on Facebook under Shannon Gauthier Art and has sold artwork as far away as California. She sets up at many events selling her art. Outside summer events are always more successful when the weather cooperates.
Mayfair's Ruby Rafuse was the ice cream lady at Those Were the Days at the Western Development Museum last weekend. It is a task she has been doing for many years. Two other women helped with the preparation of making ice cream. Butter was also churned by using whipping cream. Butter was served on small crackers and the audiences were educated on pioneer methods.
The John Arcand Fiddle Festival near Pike Lake, a few miles west of Saskatoon, is one the music lovers will not want to miss. There are children as young as five years old bowing tunes like old pros. I am looking forward to at least one day this coming weekend.
If you are a golfer and have never travelled to some northern points, then you are missing out. Try the golf courses at Chitek Lake, Blueberry Hill, west of Turtle Lake, Mervin and District, Memorial Lake and Spiritwood.
I briefly attended part of a powsow in June at the Battlefords Exhibition Grounds. That evening was extremely cold, but it did not deter the great performances. I sat next to a woman from Moosomin Reserve and in conversation found out that her sister (last name Myo) and I were one year apart in high school at COCJ in North Battleford. This lady drives from Cochin to work on Red Pheasant Reserve.
Three sisters, who are my cousins, from Belgium have been visiting. They saw a lot of relatives, visited different places and I am sure ate foods they do not have back home. We talked a little about music and I learned that although many do not know English, they do sing the English words in music. Most words are translated into our language in a song, because they listen to and sing the North American music. Women keep their maiden name when married.
My sister Leona Tetz had Yolande, Cecile, and Bernice DenDooven stay at her house for five days, thus making this home base for them. These Belgian ladies are all first cousins to one another. July 27, Leona hosted a brunch for most of us first cousins to come and meet them. Unfortunately, some from British Columbia were not in attendance and Gail Mei from Meota was just getting over a surgery. It rained enough that we stayed indoors although it would have been great to mingle outside, as Leona and Bob's yard is like a beautiful park. Their daughter Jaylene Miller and girls from Warman were also in attendance.
Tuesday was country tour day as Marguerite Wintonyk and cousin Allan Nachtegaele drove them around. They toured Bernie (Lucille), Gregoire (my brother) and Dan (Donna) Baxter's farms in the Hamlin district. Our parents, Joe and Irena Gregoire (nee Nachtegaele), started the home site where Bernie and Lou reside. The Baxters have a herd of elk These animals always look so majestic, thus impressing the Belgium relatives. The Baxter’s is the homestead to my Auntie Marie and Uncle Howard, later on retiring to British Columbia.
Next stop was at Dwayne Nachtegaele's farm that Auntie Emma and Uncle Jules established many years ago. My mom Irena as well as Marie and Emma were all sisters and are deceased. Their mother Sylvie and the Belgium relatives' grandfather were sister and brother. Lunch at Doreen (Peter) Dudek's was more like a large dinner, then off to tour the popular resort of Blue Mountain. Blue Mountain, formerly known as White Tail Resort, was established by their son Stan approximately 25 years ago. Stan and his family sold this business four years ago and now reside in British Columbia.
En route to my place, we planned a quick stop at Pete, Nelda and Sharon Swistun's near Whitkow to see cattle and horses to pet, and donkeys, llamas, chickens and pot bellied pigs. On the way to Dave's and my place, they saw herds of bison in a couple pastures in the rolling hills. Dave and his brother Dennis have had bison for the past 20 years and also elk, but got rid of the elk four years ago.
One of the last stops was to the famous Crooked Trees near Alticane. When we were there, a man from Winnipeg and four visitors from Blaine Lake stopped in.
They then visited William and Marguerite Wintonyk's farm to view the beautiful flowers, plants, and abundant vegetable garden. We were all invited to Marguerite's daughter's cabin at Murray Lake the next day for a potluck supper. Another daughter, Andrea, and her husband from Prince Albert gave pontoon.
Only Yolande could speak good English, not to mention three other languages. She would often translate to her sisters, as they knew only a few English words. They are now staying in Saskatoon for two days with Cathy, Doreen Dudek's daughter, to take in some big city life before departing home to Belgium Saturday.
Prior to visiting their cousins, they did a tour of western Canada, which they thoroughly enjoyed
In almost every report I write about a former resident who has passed away. Born in 1940, a retired Mayfair school teacher's funeral was held Aug. 10 at Third Avenue United Church. Helen Alkier taught in Saskatoon, North Battleford and Mayfair. She has one brother, John (Wendy) Hunchak. Helen loved to garden and canned much of her produce. She was a topnotch cook and relatives and friends loved to be invited for a meal. When Parkinson's disease set in, they moved to North Battleford and made many more friends. She has left many fond memories among people and will be thoroughly missed.
Aug.10 turned another page in Ann Ewanchuk's life as she is now 87 years old and still participates in many activities. She and Uhan (deceased) were proprietors of Whitkow Hotel for many years. She is a resident at Valley View Towers in North Battleford.
Get well wishes to former Alticane resident, Barbara Thompson, who has been a patient at the Battlefords Union Hospital for the past 10 days. When I stopped in to visit Barb, her daughter-in-law Debbie said to say a big hello to everyone in Mayfair, as she used to farm there before moving to Battleford with her husband Michael and family. Debbie visits Barb often and Barb's oldest son Richard from Mexico is here for a few weeks, as he is concerned about his mother. Barb's husband Bob passed away four years ago.
Harvest will be at least a week earlier than the past few years and many farmers are fine tuning their swathers and combines. The wheat crops have turned a golden colour already and farmers are eagerly waiting to get to work in their fields. Spring and Autumn are the two busiest seasons for most farmers.
