Among the recipients of awards at the 2011 volunteer awards banquet held in Waseca Hall April 14 were Kevin Schimelfenig, who received the individual volunteer award, and Arlee Lumgair, who was the recipient of the senior individual volunteer award. Also receiving awards were Maidstone volunteers Joan and Howee Smith and Gill Churn. The award evening was sponsored by the Maidstone-Eldon Recreation Board. Congratulations to all the very worthy recipients. A delicious supper preceded the presentation of awards.
Robbie Maxwell continues to work as an English assistant at a school in Nigran, Spain. As well as English, the school teaches Galician and French. During our winter school break, Rob's parents, Jim Maxwell and Jean McPherson visited him. They met up with Rob's uncle and aunt, Ted and Barbara McPherson, who are working in Germany, in Paris and they all went on to Spain. They travelled in the Galician area, which is in northwestern Spain, and into Portugal. Ted and Barbara returned to Germany while Jim, Jean and Rob continued on to Barcelona and Madrid.
Some interesting highlights of their journey included a visit to the Monseratt Monastery high in the mountains where they visited the boys' school and enjoyed listening to their renowned boys' choir and a visit to the Crypt of Saint James at Santiago de Compostela.
Eleanor Hinde and Dianne and Anne Nerbis participated in the MS Walk held in Bud Miller Park in Lloydminster, April 16. Over 300 walkers were registered. The walk was followed by lunch at the gym in Lakeland College. Members of the Nerbis family gathered at the home of Gail and Barry Taylor for an early Easter dinner.
The Yellowhead Ramblers Band continues to make a musical contribution to many gatherings. In recent days they have played at the R.M. of Paynton ratepayers dinner, the Lashburn Drop-in Centre and the Maidstone Trade Fair. The band now has the following members Wally Polinsky, Bill McGilvery, Allan Hinde, Ross Currie and Jean McPherson.
Residents are urged to come out and assist with the annual village spring cleaning. Meeting time is 10 a.m. at the Fire Hall. It is hoped that there will be a great effort from all to participate in cleaning and tidying up the community. There will be a designated dumpster for village residents, an area to pile tree branches and removal of unwanted vehicles. Also those who are interested in spring cleaning the Heritage Christ Church should meet there at 10 a.m. with appropriate cleaning equipment in hand.
A successful talent show evening was held in Waseca Hall April 15. The crowd was entertained by many talented young people. Thank you to all who took time to participate.
The community was saddened on learning of the death of long-time resident, Margaret McLaine. Funeral services were conducted from Waseca Hall April 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Marg, as she was known to all, was born at Smeaton, SK, and after graduating from school trained as a nurse's aide and came to Maidstone Hospital to work. There she met her husband to be, Douglas McLaine. They were married in 1959. After working away from home for a few years they returned to Doug's home farm where they raised two sons, Harold and Earl. The family divided their time between their home on the farm and their home in Waseca. The whole family was very active in the community. Marg could always be counted on to help wherever activities were going on: the curling rink, skating rink or hall. She led a very full life.
Marg will always be remembered for her kindness, her sense of humour and her friendliness to all, even during the last few years of her life spent in care homes. Even there she could be counted on as a friendly person with a kind word for other residents.
We extend our sympathy to her husband, Doug, and family and to her many friends.
From the July 15, 1907 Waseca Herald: Late in 1906 the firm of Goodridge and Rowed, consisting of William Goodridge and H. B. Rowed, started a general business in Waseca, carrying all lines required by the settlers who were few and far between at that time. After selling their general business in 1907, Goodridge and Rowed decided to divide their remaining interests running both independently, William Goodridge continuing the lumber business and he is now erecting a good building at the east end of the town in which he will have the post office and his business offices.
