The Serafina meeting with the public in the Meota Community Complex June 21 went well. Questions were answered as put forth. A goodly number of people attended, as this project is drawing interest from the local population. The next Meota East SAGD Thermal Project is being set up on 16-46-16 W3, east of the 13-mile corner, north of the city. A water line will run cross-country to the North Saskatchewan River.
The new Spiritwood Pharmacy opened in the corner location where the former Shop-Easy grocery store was located. It is larger with better working conditions for staff and more room for customers to move about. It is exciting to enter this modern facility after being used to the crowded store next door to the local hotel, where Gary von Holwede has been for 20 years. Some stock that wasn’t moved to the new store is still available in the old one. The original store was built by Everett Konsmo in 1946 and was operated by them for many years. Next pharmacist was Ray Meier who sold to Roy Folkerson in 1977. He ran it until 1983.
Happy Birthday greetings go out to Gladys Lehma. She turned 96 June 18. Her family gathered on the patio at River Heights Lodge for Chinese supper. Her children are Betty Desmarais, Louise Kok and Les and Doug Lehman.
I watched a robin the other morning picking away at the sandbags in front of the four-plex. When it had several pieces in his beak, he flew off. He must be building another nest and that stuff would stick nicely with mud.
Doreen Baynes is in Rose Gill Lodge in Rabbit Lake and celebrated her 84th birthday June 20. There was birthday cake in the afternoon for everyone and cake again for the evening gathering. She was happy to have family and friends visit and received many phone calls, one from relatives in Australia.
We are enjoying seeing and hearing a pair of ringed-turtle doves in the village, that have been coming for several years. In my bird book they are listed as in California and Florida, so seem out of place here. It is the only dove with the black crescent band on a back of its neck.
Duplicate bridge was played in Meota June 19 and top score went to Robert Iverson and Linda Ard. Second went to Bernard and Lucille Gregoire, third to Margaret Dyck and Maureen Campbell. In the Pioneer Hall in the city June 21, top score went to Jean Lawes and Fraser Glen, second to Donna Scherman and Catriona Winterholt and third to Maureen Campbell and Mary Phelps. There were 24 players out making for a busy, fun evening.
The new sidewalk by the new building on 2nd Avenue is looking pretty nice and is making the old section south of it look pretty awful. In fact it is so weathered it is almost too rough to walk on.
The family of Guy and Yolande Houle held a special family gathering at the home of their son Jerry and Karen at Big Shell Lake June 16 and 17 to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.
When they moved to Spiritwood in 1958 they had three boys, Rupert, Roland and Jerry, another four children were born in Spiritwood, Anita, Larry, Michelle and Norman (deceased). Their family has grown to include 14 grandchildren and 10 greats, with one more due in August.
They spent two days of fun and games at Big Shell Lake. The time with the little ones during the day was precious, and story time around the campfire at night brought out many confessions and memories. It was a priceless time of reminiscing.
The Houles enjoyed raising their family in Spiritwood and have many good friends there still and lots of precious memories. They retired to Saskatoon in 1999, but love to return to Spiritwood for visits and look forward to every visit by family members or friends at their home in Saskatoon. They appreciate every member of their family and love their company any time.
An interesting definition of income tax is the fine one pays for being a useful, productive and contributing member of society.
