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Former resident returns to start dream business

Mayfair News
Black Orchid, a new quilting business in North Battleford with owner Veronica Cherwinski Jack proudl
Black Orchid, a new quilting business in North Battleford with owner Veronica Cherwinski Jack proudly standing by her long arm quilting machine. This machine does stitching at an amazing rate, thus providing a remarkable outcome. Photo submitted

North Battleford has a new business that will draw in quilters. Quilting has been the rage for the past 20 years and is going stronger all the time. Veronica Cherwinski Jack, formerly of Red Deer, Alta., has relocated to a town she grew up near. Originally from Mayfair, the daughter of Janet and Paul Cherwinski has opened Black Orchid Quilting, north of Burger King. She and her mom are excellent and talented individuals, having attended many advanced workshops, eagerly learning new techniques these past 15 years. This crafty art has attracted many younger women and once you are hooked, there is no turning back. The finished products of this labour intensive past time are truly beautiful. The store, which opened May 20, offers classes, long arm services, back, batting and notions. You can reach the store at 306-445-1455.

I was very excited browsing her merchandise and asking her many questions. The big expensive long arm machine stitching the quilt together is really something to see.

After working in the oil sector in Alberta, I’m sure this must be a dream come tru for Veronica. Many Albertans are actually relocating back to our province. We should be proud of what Saskatchewan has to offer.

When I am in Arizona for part of the winter, when revealing to Americans where I live, the word Saskatchewan somehow gets tangled up in their speech and the pronunciations blurted out are unique. Of course, I try not to laugh.

Blueberries are not as plentiful in the north country compared to last year. Bears are very plentiful, so one has to be on guard at all times when engage in the painstaking task of picking, which is always a fun outing with friends. When it is really windy, one cannot hear very well in the forest. Thank goodness for iPhones that cover the communication gap.

This past weekend, Michele Schwartz and two daughters travelld to spend a short time with her parents, Faye and Keith Liebaert, on the farm. After four days, they departed for Flin Flon, their home for the past 16 years. Her husband Chad was born and raised there. She often sees her cousin Peter’s two grown girls who make their home in that northern area.

I became friends with the owners of Creighton Hotel, which is across the border from Flin Flon, this past February. They were touring and visiting her long time friend in my Yuma Senior Trail Court. Jim and Karen Rasmussen at Hooter’s Bar in Creighton (part of the hotel establishment) purchased a trailer near mine during their Arizona travels, without having real estate intentions. They liked the area so much, which is a 15-minute drive to Algodones, Mexico, and 10-minute drive into California. Needless to say, Michele Schwartz knows of Jim and Karen, but hasn’t had the time to go to Hooter’s Bar. The logo with the owl is very appropriate.

The much needed precipitation this past weekend was necessary for the crops and gardens. What needed it the most were the extremely dusty gravel and countryside roads. Travellers should always drive with the headlights on as it can prove to be dangerous when you can’t see other vehicles on the roads. The grid road from Maymont going north and past Mullingar has a high traffic volume during spring, summer and fall, as many people from Saskatoon are cabin owners at Meeting Lake.

Autumn is already in the air as the fresh, crisp mornings have that feel. Gee, I have only started my summertime living. Is it old age that keeps one so busy that I do not have time for everything I would love to be doing?