Strangers driving into our yard asking for directions is very common. The other day, a couple whose last name is Virag hailing from near Qu'Appelle was inquiring about Greek Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic churches in the vicinity. The elderly woman had a large book that was compiled many years ago in both English and Ukrainian. To my knowledge, in this book was small towns who still have or used to boast of these buildings. Many are now heritage sites. I revealed what I know and told her I am not Ukrainian, but my husband is. I gave them appropriate directions and wished them happy travels. Apparently they are driving all around rural Saskatchewan to document their findings.
Gordie Zyznomirski and Loreili Powers accompanied his mother Mary to her sister-in-law's funeral in early August. Helen Romanuk passed away at the age of 84 years. Mary now resides on an acreage with her older son Edward and keeps herself busy. Deepest sympathy to the family.
Holly, youngest daughter of Shane and Barb Rafuse, Sherwood Park, Alta. and granddaughter to Ruby, has recently moved to St. John's, Nfld. Holly is enrolled in archeology at the St. James University and is looking forward to touring all of the sights of Newfoundland in her spare time.
Sept. 7, Shirley Lamontagne received exciting news that her granddaughter April and husband of Vancouver gave birth to a baby boy named Hindrick. This is Shirley's fifth great-grandchild and she can't wait to see the new arrival. April is the daughter to Calvin Lamontagne of Grand Forks, B.C., making him a first time grandparent.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church near Alticane had its annual September service Sept. 13. There is always a blessing of the local graveyard across the gravel road from the church. Some people from Edmonton and more local people partook in this special service with coffee and lunch after.
Creative Corners held a successful fall flea and farmers’ market Sept. 19 in Mayfair Hall. Lunch was purchased by most in attendance and the sale of pie was donated to Telemiracle. Most vendors sold a lot of their goods and already booked a table for the Christmas Craft Sale Nov. 29. It takes a lot of volunteers to put together functions of this type. Thank you.
Leona Noble and her partner are in the Mayfair and Radisson area for about two weeks searching for the remains of her 15-year-old daughter Katelyn who was murdered the summer of 2007. I was honoured to meet these remarkable people and these are her words. "We came to your community to let people know my daughter was buried somewhere close to the town of Mayfair. The man who murdered her is in jail for life for committing another murder that same year. Katelyn was murdered in Radisson by an acquaintance of her boyfriend. I plead with local farmers to check their properties in hopes we find her. I will never give up my search for her. I thank you."
Leona hired a psychic in Mission-Abbotsford, B.C. who revealed when he put his hand on a map that something told him that where Katelyn was murdered had a telephone number with the prefix of 246. Guess what? Speers-Mayfair area has that telephone prefix. He went on to tell there was a grove of either maple or elm trees near a trestle bridge and about 50 feet or yards from a tree or fence there would have been a red jacket. The psychic revealed a bit more of what he was feeling and Mrs. Noble is going on this clue. There are a couple of railway trestles in the area.
Leona had to take stress leave from her job and survived a heart attack after the devastating news of Katelyn's senseless death. She is a truly remarkable, strong-willed woman. Many of us who got to meet Leona and her partner definitely want to help.
Les and Wendy Pethick invited the Nobles to their farm to visit and show them more of the area after the flea and farmers’ market. When they are in Radisson, the motel owners always offer them free accommodation, although they usually travel by motor home.
Starting in November, old time dance lessons will be held, running for six sessions on Tuesday evenings. There appears to be a lot of interest and an instructor will take everyone through the dance steps, especially for the first time people, so no one will feel out of place. So put on those dancing shoes and have some fun. The price will be minimal, and the more in attendance, the cheaper it will be. For more information, call me at 306-445-9992.
I was delighted to have attended the Touch of Autumn event at the Honeywood Provincial Heritage Site Sunday. Dr. Bert Porter became recognized throughout the world for his contributions in the field of horticulture.
He was never formally trained, but worked endlessly to develop hardy fruit varieties well adapted to harsh Canadian winters. Porter, from 1963 to 1990, received many prestigious awards. He lived to 99 years and Honeywood’s 80 acres have an abundance of beautiful flowers, shrubs and huge trees that can be accredited to true dedication.
It is open to the public seven days a week from May long weekend to the third week of September from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. There are two paid employees and the rest is done by volunteers. The best times to visit: fruit trees usually the second week of May; lilacs in June; peonies at the end of June and early July; lilies (many acres of these as this was Mr. Porter's passion) in July; and the many varieties of fruit trees ripening in mid August to September.
Honeywood is located near Parkside in the Shellbrook area. It boasts of gorgeous breathtaking scenery for photo shoots, weddings and other significant functions. Tours and school groups are always welcomed. I've already talked myself into returning in the summer of 2016. The wagon ride tour was educational with the guide answering questions. There were about 10 vendors selling their own homemade goods.
Friends and family from Saskatoon, Wilkie and Mayfair helped Barry Brown celebrate his birthday Sept. 12. Everyone went to the Bulldog Corn Maze at Baldwinton near Cut Knife to spend time getting lost and then finding their way out of this 12-acre jungle with much laughter and some swear words that are not to be repeated! The energetic group became less energetic and had to replenish their energy by having lunch at a restaurant called Afternoon Delight in Cut Knife.
The owner of the corn maze is Chris Scholer. He hires a fellow from Utah to make the two-mile maze pattern, but Chris plants all of the corn. I believe this operation is only into its second year. Dora Brown reported that this was a very entertaining afternoon and all of the invitees had a great time.
Most farmers have not been able to harvest the past two weeks, due to the unco-operative weather. Peas are always the first to come off, followed by whatever else is ready to get put into the bin. Most farmers do not want to take off the crops tough or damp, so let's pray for warm, windy days.
Hunters are already in abundance, shooting duck, geese and early season for some big game animals in certain zones. Many songbirds have started to migrate and at times one can see large flocks of birds overhead. Yes, we did encounter a couple of nights of frost now, experienced a few hot days and it has turned cooler with the unwelcome precipitation.
Adgerine McNutt frequently visits her family in the Yorkton area and this time was gone for almost two weeks. While down south she was invited to the second wedding of her deceased husband Murel's brother in Moose Jaw. She visited relatives that she had not seen in ages and caught up on all of the news from different families.
Thank you to everyone who reads Mayfair news, it is unbelievable that even strangers read this. This past summer I have met people and in conversation they ask if I am the one who sends in whatever people call me about. Some have even commented that if a week is skipped, I am slacking off. There could be more to write, but many think that it is not worth informing everyone about what is happening in their busy lives.
