Christmas day here in Meota was very quiet as it seemed most people stayed in or were not around. As we went for a walk later that day with our granddaughter (actually she rode with me on the scooter and Nana walked) we did not meet one vehicle or anyone else walking. We did see one group who had stepped outside their home to burn some incense (that means to have a smoke) but other than that there was no one around. That changed a lot the next day as there were some young people using the skating rink and numerous cars were around the curling rink. It seemed everyone was just too busy inside or maybe too full of Christmas dinner to venture out on Boxing Day.
That changed again Dec. 28 when the activity around the skating rink went into high gear as a rink upgrade was installed. Meota ADRA, which operates the rink, was approached about putting up a backstop around the ends of the rink so high flying puck did not drift into the cosmos and end up lost until the snow clears in spring.
At the mention of it the board was all in favour thus when Maurice Schaefer volunteered to spearhead the project we became even more enthused about it. Once he had the go ahead for funding, Maurice did not let any grass grow under his feet. Wednesday, after a few phone calls to get some extra workers out, a fantastic crew descended on the rink and it became a beehive of activity with about 15 men and youth working diligently to push the work ahead. All the while the work was progressing there were groups of kids and their parents skating and playing hockey crossways so that none of us bothered the others in our goal of the day. It was great to see such a variance in ages working together on this job.
The work started about midday with workers supplying all the tools and generators needed to get things done. Some of the guys actually gave up a day of ice fishing to come out to help. The speed of progress was fantastic with the many hands working together and after about four and a half or five hours the only thing left to do was sit back, have a refreshment and look at a job well done.
It was interesting to see the different groups assess and come up with solutions to different problems at the drop of a hat. As a member of the ADRA board I want, on behalf of the whole board, to thank all of those who came out to help for a fantastic job and for being so willing to give of their time and equipment. I want to thank Maurice for taking on the leadership role, without which the whole thing would never have happened. It is amazing what can be accomplished when a community comes together like this.
Dec. 15, the Kaiser players went at it with Herman Hoogland taking first place, Beulah Corbeil coming second, Jean Gansauge placing third and Irene Carlson following in fourth place.
Dec. 19, the bridge players tackled the tables in the contract version of the game with Mary Greenwald taking first place and Robert Iverson coming in second. Then, Dec. 20, in duplicate play, the winning team was made up of Julie and Glenn Moore with second place going to the duo of David Sharpe and Fraser Glen.
Quote: "Teamwork is so important that it is virtually impossible to reach the heights of your capabilities or make the money that you want without becoming very good at it." Brian Tracey.
