It sounds like by Thursday the weather will be hot! Let’s hope the weatherman is wrong again. Keeping the water in my birdbath full is a daily job as the robins have taken a liking to using it. It’s such fun to watch the water fly as they bathe.
The weather in British Columbia’s lower mainland is bad as the smog is now mixed with smoke, making for poor air conditions. Times like this one can appreciate our clean air, even though it has been rather humid as of late.
The Meota Hobby Band enjoyed a barbecued luncheon July 31, after their weekly morning practice in the Do Drop In. There were salads, side dishes and desserts, making for a nice meal. It was a special occasion marking the retirement of Martin Weber of Martinson's Beach. Martin is one of the founding band members, along with Rose Delainey of Meota, who was also present. He was congratulated and thanked by band member Bob Zurowsky for his years of leading and participating. He was wished well in the future. He was given hearty applause.
The winners of the Stars Lottery Show Homes was drawn Aug. 2 with the Saskatoon home going to Spiritwood resident Deb Karst. It was won by a Spiritwood resident last year, too, which is quite a coincident.
Duplicate bridge was played at the Do Drop In July 31 and saw the top score go to Eric Callbeck and Vern Iverson. Second high were Margaret Dyck and Maureen Campbell and third were Bernard and Lucille Gregoire. In the city Aug. 2, top score went to Vern Iverson and David Sharpe. Second were Jean Lawes and Fraser Glen and third were Gerry Fernandes and Bernard Gregoire. They are lucky these busy days to have time left from holidaying and visiting to play bridge.
Most families have been having company as the lake itself is a drawing card and the facilities in Meota are pretty nice. There are campers everywhere and the campground seems to be full most of the time, as well. Parking near the lake is hard to find as the swimming and concession area is well used, especially at swimming lesson times.
Get well wishes go out to Fred St. Marie. After suffering a broken hip, he is spending time in a Saskatoon hospital.
Visiting me from Alberta recently were my son Brad, Kelly and two grandchildren, Cheyenne and Madison, and my daughter Joyce Rowland, following her travels around the world. She’s been to Niagara Falls, Ont. and Indianapolis, Ind. for the Indi 500 races. She has been to Iceland and crossed the English Chunnel, putting the car on the train, and over to France. She enjoyed a Baltic cruise for a week. From St. Petersburg in Russia she travelled to Moscow on their super fast train. She took in a rugby game and visited relatives in England and Scotland.
Over the weekend, Linda and I have enjoyed having Donna’s family here and at the construction site in Lakeview. There is Carrie and Neil and Jake Sandstrom from Calgary, Greg and Jordanna Lambert and Claudia from Fort McMurray and Susan and Eldon Kennett from near Edmonton, Alta.
Aug. 3 found a crowd at the sailing club building where they hosted a fundraising steak supper. Because of limited space and short notice many folks didn’t know about it. Following supper folks enjoyed entertainment by the Chickadees. It was a very nice evening with village folks socializing with summer folks and camper folks.
There’s a sign at the recycle site that says, “No glass or styrofoam.”
There was a bake sale at the United/Anglican Church on Saturday at 9 a.m. It was over by 9:15 a.m. The baking went so fast, it was hard to believe. There was quite a variety of produce, baking and white elephant items out at the concession area at the beach, too, so there was somewhere else to shop and shop folks did.
The service at the United/Anglican Church on Aug. 5 was led by the Richardson, Quinn and Thiessen families. They were appreciated by a good-sized congregation. Special preachers were Adrian and Barb de Haan, who spent many working years in Zambia, Africa, in their roles as teacher and nurse. The difference in lifestyles is hard to believe, but they have survived well. They had many souvenirs on display showing some of the ways and habits of the folks living over there and visited with folks following the service.
Congratulations to Dave and Debbie Shepherd who celebrated their 40th anniversary at their new Green Lake cottage with their many friends and relatives July 28. It was informal with Dave wearing a flower and Debbie a makeshift long dress and head piece, hillbilly style and riding in a little red roadster. Hosting the party were their son Tyrell and Julie and daughter Rhea from Duck Lake and their daughter Kayla and Cameron Simkins and daughter Emery from Turtleford. It was a party that was a lot of fun, no doubt leaving happy memories.
News has come of the peaceful passing of Gladys Lehman, at the age of 96, in North Battleford. She originally farmed and raised their family with her husband Willie in the McMillan School District. Next they retired to the home they built in Meota. Some time after Willie’s passing she moved into Caleb Village where she was happy. Her final move was to River Heights Lodge where she was comfortable but tired, and that is where she passed away. Gladys is survived by her loving family, Louise (Derk) Kok, Betty (Floyd) Desmarais, son Leslie (Lorraine) and son Doug (Brenda), numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her sister Judy Emmerson of British Columbia.
There will be no formal service held, at her request, but a private family graveside service at Meota Cemetery beside her husband Willie.
Family Reunion
The family of Daniel and Anne Toner gathered at the Meota Community Complex for their usual five-year reunion, held for the second time in Meota.
Daniel Toner moved to Canada from Ireland in 1909 at 20 years of age and Anne moved from England in 1922 at 19 years of age. Daniel was a rancher and along with his brothers started Toner Angus in Kelfield. Annie was a school teacher. They married in 1926.
They ranched in Kelfield and present day third generation Larry Toner and fourth generation Colin Toner still reside on the original homestead. Anne and Daniel have 277 descendants — eight children, 48 grandchildren, 109 great-grandchildren and 112 great-great-grandchildren. There were 280 people in attendance this year. The families extend from Yellowknife, Yukon to Texas, from Fort Langley, B.C. to Ottawa, Ont., New Zealand, Taiwan and Japan.
Second cousins Gemma Denby and Sharon Johnson travelled from Dover, England to attend this reunion. Oldest son Doug Toner, at 90 years of age and his wife Kathleen celebrated 65 years of marriage on July 28. Since the last reunion there have been 27 new babies.
Gramma Toner has had a cabin in Cochin since the late 1960s and today there are 13 family cabins in Cochin. They are all familiar with Jackfish Lake and like the facilities in Meota — the campground, ball diamonds, hall and, of course, the lake. Each family wore different coloured shirts to designate which tree they belonged to. They enjoyed holding a talent show, played slo-pitch, bocce ball and bones. The kids played games and enjoyed face painting. Saturday evening a catered supper and dance was held.
