Life, Death, and The Blues, produced and written by Raoul Bhaneja, was a delight to watch at Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon. Leanne Cherwinski, Faye Liebaert and I attended the Oct. 25 matinee and en route home, stopped in at Maymont for their annual fall supper.
Of course it was delicious, with the school gymnasium packed with a hungry crowd. The kitchen was bustling with both men and women volunteering their time.
Getting back to the performance, the producer traces the history of what has become popular blues music with acting and his band called Big Time playing excellent music. They deserved a standing ovation for this high energy performance.
Running from Nov. 25 to Dec. 13 is A Christmas Carol, with director Bob Metcalfe. For those who know literature, it is Charles Dickens' most popular work. Tickets are still available by phoning Persephone's box office at 306-384-7727.
When one attends workshops there is always some topic you will be enlightened on. Leanne Cherwinski, Cheryl and Jaycee Bulmer and I took in the CWL district annual workshop in Cut Knife Oct. 17. There were approximately 35 women in attendance from various towns. The drive is scenic, especially at the Prongua and Table Mountain entrance, where the elevation allows one to see for many miles.
The guest speaker was retired veterinarian Dr. McLane and his wife from the Battlefords. The day was laced with humorous jokes and skits.
Remembrance Day should always be observed. A small memorial service is scheduled for Mayfair Hall with Rollie Pelletier in charge. Active legion members from Speers and Hafford participate in this sombre service. Phyllis Cunningham will be the guest speaker with lunch to follow. Let us all come and pay respect to the fallen soldiers.
Did you purchase your ticket for the Cowboy Campfire Concert Nov. 6 at the Rabbit Lake Community Hall? Check with Joan Dzialo at Rabbit Lake Hotel at 306-824-2002 to see if she has any more tickets. I can't wait to see Larry Krause performing again. On the poster it advertises, "Western roots music so authentic you may need a shovel ... and might wanna check yer boots when you leave ..." He is a recording artist and a regular performer at the Calgary Stampede. Coffee and fancy desserts are being served during intermission.
So how did your Oct. 31 night turn out? The weather always plays a big factor as to how many trick or treaters go knocking on doors. I vividly remember a specific song for wee children when teaching piano and voice. It comes from a Book One Leila Fletcher Piano Course: "Halloween, the wind is blowing, spooks and goblins all about! Halloween, and out we're going, now to play the game, shell-out! Knock, knock, knock! And then we'll shout, knock, knock, knock, Shell-out! Shell-out! Then a gust of wind comes blowing, blows my pumpkin lantern out!鈥� Trying to teach that song to five- and three-year-old grandchildren can be fun!
Two friends of neighbour Morris Kowerchuk were interesting to meet. They come from Ireland to hunt ducks and geese in our area. We always give them permission to hunt on our land. Curtis, Julian and Shirley Goyan, Dennis and Dave Woloshyn (and of course I tagged along) gathered for a great evening supper at a restaurant in North Battleford.
聽I learned many things one doesn't know about Ireland. For example, once a person turns 65 years old, the government pays all medical, dentist, phone, Internet and cable TV bills as well as local bus passes. The one fellow said his aged parents receive old age pension, a couple of other work-related pensions and they cannot spend all of the money received each month. Wow, what a switch compared to Canada! Guess who pays for all of the seniors鈥� freebies? You know it is the middle class who are dearly taxed! If Canada's government suggested the same senior program there would be a large hullabaloo because we already pay our full share of taxes.
In the Oct. 22 edition of the Regional Optimist, Little Pine First Nation had a grand opening for a new store right on the reserve. All of their staff is local with manager Vanessa Fox in charge. Apparently Fox has been very successful with the store gaining growth in sales and it is a very popular place to shop. Pelican Lake Indian Reserve near Chitek Lake is in the process of building a large store, naming it Chachakew Store (pelican in Cree). A few of us cabin owners would like to drive up for the grand opening to celebrate this special occasion taking place in November. In talking with different Chitek Lake residents, they say they will definitely shop there.
Jessie Konopelski, my neighbour, called me to tell me that her oldest son, 37-year-old Steven, will be a contestant in the Holiday Baking Challenge on the Food Network channel. His first appearance was Nov. 1. All of us locals will certainly be cheering Steven on in this grueling competition.
Steven took dance lessons for many years at Annette's School of Dance in North Battleford and in Lloydminster, then later on enrolled at Winnipeg Royal Ballet. He eventually worked his way up to dance on Broadway in New York, much to his parents' delight. A few years ago he studied at a cooking school in the United States and became very proficient in dessert preparation. He applied to be a contestant and passed the challenging interview, so now we can see first-hand his baking skills.
The reality series is scheduled for the next six weeks. Steven and his partner own a bed and breakfast called Turnbridge Point in the state of Maryland. They are kept very busy with this thriving business.
Jessie also has her married daughter, Heather, who lives in Utah. Between visiting Steven, Heather and her other son Daniel, who resides in southern Alberta, she is on the road a lot. She is a grandmother to six children all under seven years old.
Nov. 1, I had the pleasure of helping our son Greg move from Red Deer, Alta. to Saskatoon. He has resided in Red Deer since May 2007 after going to university in Saskatoon. Greg and friends left for Hawaii Nov. 4 for two weeks, Puerta Vallarta for one week and then a Caribbean 聽Cruise. His new employment starts in January at an accounting firm.
People are rushing around trying to wrap up their fall work before the snow arrives. We are fortunate that the soil isn't even frozen yet. I'm still in the process of planting flower bulbs in my newly cultivated garden beds. I realize now that I over-purchased these little critters and I am not throwing them out!
