I knew it was coming and I have been sort of avoiding the fact. No, I am not speaking of frost, but rather the first sighting of working combines. Now don't get me wrong - I understand the importance of harvest and good weather and all that, but I also know that harvest signifies the end of summer. Sept. 4, the seed cleaning plant goes back into full production for the fall rush and of course school resumes. How many more signs do we need?
Over the last two weeks Angel Haryung has been teaching swimming lessons at the regional park. Wouldn't you know it, swimming lessons begin and the mercury drops to 7 degrees.
Over the last couple of weeks many old friends and neighbours have visited Rabbit Lake. Last Monday Eldon Freimark and Norman Langlois dropped in for a coffee and to reminisce for a bit. Both wanted to say hello to everyone. Also over the last days Nancy Penner and her son Tola have been visiting Pete and Marg Penner. We are always happy to see old friends.
Last weekend Candace Kuffert and Tom Lukawicz were married at Meeting Lake Regional Park. Candace is the daughter of Eric and Karen Kuffert and granddaughter of Jake and Cecilia Krahn and Irene Kuffert. The Lukawicz family is from Edmonton. All seven of Eric's brothers and sister were home for the wedding, and it was good to visit again with them.
Fourteen people attended the monthly seniors' potluck supper Aug. 15. The evening was rounded out with each person reading a poem. Naomi Unger read a poem she had written while others read poems that they especially enjoyed.
Last year I reported Ethel Walters has been doing extensive research and work on the Rothermere Cemetery and that the Horvath family of Edmonton had designed, created and donated a set of wrought iron gates. This year the gates have been transported from Edmonton and erected at Rothermere. The entire project has been a donation from the Horvath family but would have never happened without Ethel's persistence and fortitude in reclaiming this once abandoned cemetery.
As I was driving to North Battleford earlier this week, something odd caught my eye as I passed by Whitkow. I had become accustomed to seeing the missing tin from the dome of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church but this time I noticed the metal cross that has topped the dome since 1934 is gone! Actually everything from the church is gone. According to Ruth Hrynewich, the furnishings, icons and art have been donated to the Ukrainian Museum in Saskatoon and rumour has it the building will be demolished soon. And that is how it goes with landmarks and cultural shrines.
The Rabbit Lake Board of Trade sponsored the annual Rabbit Lake Days, Aug. 18. Eighty-eight people (22 teams) of bunnock players competed for the money. As well as bunnock, the Rabbit Lake Museums Committee sold a pancake and ham and egg breakfast at the seniors' hall and Jennifer Lamb, Stanley and Marjorie Hrynewich, Randy and Brenda Aumack and Joan Tomanek had products for sale in the hall as did the Rabbit Lake library. Outside Ken Murdoff and Jean Massett had crafts for sale.
At the former Lutheran Church the committee that oversees that building had a bake sale and tours of the church. The Rabbit Lake Recreation Centre provided a barbecued burger lunch at the bunnock area. Individual garage sales were held throughout the village. The Rabbit Lake library hosted face painting, children's activities and a drama troupe beside the seniors' hall. It was wonderful to see the streets lined with cars for something other than a funeral! It really did remind some of us what Rabbit Lake looked like on a Saturday afternoon years ago.
The winners of the bunnock tournament are as follows: A side first place, $250, Troy Moore, Amanda Moore, Christine MacDonald and Brodie MacDonald; A side second place, $230, Sheldon Rothenburger, Bonnie Rothenburger, Wendy Sirois and Dennis Sirois; B side winners $180, Gerry Miller, Colleen Woodcock, Gary Belyk and Karen Reed; B side second place, $150, Tracy Johnston, Grant Nahaney, Gavin Naharney and Kathryn Naharney; C side winners, $150, a team from Crescent Beach, Gordon Nelson, Hayden Elliot Nelson, Daryl Biehn and Liz Biehn; C side second place, $120, Murray MacDonald, John Krahn, Jayden MacDonald and Blaze Spyglass.
The entire day was a success and we need to thank the board of trade for their work organizing the day and for the displayers and groups who added to the fun. Also a thank you to the anonymous donor of $200.
Congratulations go out to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Klippenstein on each reaching their 90th birthdays. A celebration was held in North Battleford, Aug. 19.
Meeting Lake Regional Park closes for the season right after the Labour Day weekend. Judy Kennedy will be offering a fall supper Sept. 1 - the last of the season at the lake.
It is time to begin thinking about winter recreation. What sort of activities would you be interested in having in the village this winter? Some have asked for another session of dance, some have asked about indoor volleyball in the rink, some have talked about an enhanced game night program. Share your ideas and let's see what we can get going for this winter.
