The freezing temperatures during the night are causing many problems. Some farmers have to reseed their crops and the perennials in people's yards and parks are not in very good condition without coverage. I was in Walmart's bedding plants department a couple of weeks ago and most of the stock had to be thrown out because of the frozen leaves and flowers. This low temperature is nothing unusual to the prairies, as long as we don't experience snow in July.
A bouncing baby girl born 10 days early was a surprise to parents Matthew and Janelle Jonson (nee Liebaert). Name unknown as of yet, she was born May 18 in Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Big sister, three-year-old Jorja had her wish come true as she was of course hoping for a girl. Proud grandparents are Faye and Keith Liebaert (Mayfair) and Valerie and Don Johnson (North Battleford, formerly of Mayfair).
I hosted a baby shower for Sammy Konopelski, son of Daniel and Jenny who will be moving to the family farm in the near future. This little baby is lucky to have five-year-old twin brothers, Jacob and Andrew. A dozen women were in attendance at Margaret Adam's, neighbour to grandmother Jessie Konopelski, May 17.
Former resident of the Whitkow area, 97-year-old Dora Woytowich, passed away May 17 at her seniors’ home in Saskatoon. Her husband Joe has been deceased for a number of years and she is survived by her son Norman (Sally); daughters Elaine Woytowich and Patricia (Bernie) Mazurkewich, all of Saskatoon. Her funeral is to be held in North Battleford Thursday at the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Another long-time pioneer who toiled so hard raising a family in the country.
George Lavallee moved into River Heights Lodge, North Battleford, a couple of months ago due to failing health.
Dorothy Youst and Mary Zyznomirski also moved to North Battleford the past year. Dorothy resides in Harwood Manor and Mary lives with her son Eddie.
My daughter Amanda from Maymont and I enjoyed a live theatre performance called Matchstick at a neat venue, Village Guitar and Amp on 20th Street West in Saskatoon. There are approximately 40 different guitars, all different sizes, shapes and colours, plus old memorabilia adorning the walls, to make this a unique place.
Patti Salisbury, wife to Dan, formerly of the Mullingar area and now farming at Yorkton, visited Adgerine McNutt, her mother, on the May 2 weekend. She took a little bit of time off from all the bustle and hectic pace to see her mother's beautiful artwork on display at the art show in Mayfair, not to mention reacquainting with old friends.
Many people had their children and grandchildren visiting this past long May weekend. Some like to operate farm equipment for a few days perhaps thinking it would be great to reside on a farm, but many would say "this equipment is too complicated and farming isn't my calling.”
Not too many farm folk get the opportunity to open up their cabins at the lake, because farming is just too busy this time of the year. Saturday and Sunday were not great camping weather, with the cold strong winds blowing and a little rain.
In our 40-mile radius, there are actually quite a few young farmers under the age of 40. Experts say the average age of a farmer is 55, and we need more of the younger generation to start in this business. Farming is probably one of the most expensive ventures to get into and there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes, which can be devastating if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. Personally, I think there are a lot of easier opportunities to earn money.
Do not forget to come to the Creative Corner's Spring Sale at Mayfair Hall Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., because there will be many items for sale. This time of the year, people like to purchase bedding plants.
Swimming pools are always fun-filled, exciting, energizing places to be at. I ran into Jamie Coleman (nee Salisbury), originally from Mullingar, last week while her two sons were in swimming lessons. She is married to Wesley Coleman of rural Wilkie and is employed part time at Rack Petroleum Ltd. Jamie graduated from Mayfair School in 1995 and later from the U of S with an agriculture degree. They have a family of two boys and a baby daughter and are expecting their fourth child in September. Her sister Julie and husband Jack Scott, who farm at Mullingar, are also expecting one in July, a sibling for their two-year-old daughter.
We are all hoping for a successful recovery for Norman Van Nortwick, who helps farm in the area with his parents, brother Ron and son Riley. He succumbed to a heart attack and was taken by ambulance to Saskatoon on May 15. He is an instructor of young offenders in North Battleford, vacations in Mexico during the winter months and also farms. Norman underwent emergency surgery and is expected to have a full recovery taking a few months.
Recently on television I saw that in 1941 Bulova watches bought a brief advertisement for the large sum of $9 to ask Canadians, "What time is it? It is Bulova time, the best time!" This ad netted the company a hefty sum of $41 million. Today, advertisements cost millions and seem to go on forever, especially if you are waiting for an interesting program to return. So does this mean they receive billions and billions of dough? Don't forget back in 1941, TV was in black and white, so by today's standards it would appear to be boring.
Next time I write, let's hope that crop seeding, planting gardens, revamping flowerbeds and yard work will be almost completed, so one can try to do fun things with exciting friends at a slower pace. The students will be on vacation in one month, then summer will be gone and soon harvest will be here and again frosty nights. When one gets older, time seems to speed up.
