Wild prairie summer weather is always a lively topic of conversation. Years ago a family friend from Spain couldn't figure out why this was such a conversation piece. I guess in Spain the weather never seems to change. I told her we like to talk and, to break a social barrier, this topic pops up automatically.
Robert Dyck, a 58-year-old farmer from Radisson, died June 18 from a heart attack. Our condolences to his two daughters who live in the Mayfair area ‑‑ Mandy Dyck (Riley Van Nortwick) and Jenn Lange (Joseph). His four grandchildren will miss their grandpa, as he loved to interact with them.
Farmers markets are popular. Joan Dzialo of Rabbit Lake, with the interest of others, now hosts a Saturday market on Main Street. There is a selection of baking, clothing, fish bait and numerous other items of sale. At Chitek Lake, where I have my cabin, but hardly get to it, there is a farmers market Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1p.m. at VP Storage lot. The vendors always do better when near or at a lake in summer because of cabin owners and campers.
Meeting Lake Regional Park is approximately six miles from Rabbit Lake. Many people from near Kindersley/Kerrobert area have RV trailers on lots purchased in Mullingar a few years ago , which is also close to the park, so take in that market.
Big break-ins again this past weekend in the Denholm, Ruddell and Maymont districts. How is it these gangsters are so brave? They target communities located on a busy twinnied highway. The incidents weren't even very late at night, according to a Ruddell resident, who promptly called the RCMP.
Cabin owners and permanent residents of Chitek Lake have seen tremendous increases in property taxes. Two years ago a new sewage lagoon update project and wasteland treatment upgrades totalling $3.3 million were undertaken. The fully operational upgrade will improve the environment. Saskatchewan and Canadian governments each contributed $1.1 million and the owners the rest through their tax bills.
There is a reduced walleye limit on Chitek Lake. The limit is three and only one may exceed 55 centimetres. Small lakes north of Chitek ‑‑ Huard, Shell, Otter, Deer, Bug, Fish, Poplar Ridge Buck and Island lakes ‑‑ all report fair to excellent fishing.
There way fewer campers this summer. While driving in Chamekese Resort campsite, I counted 10 camping units and this site has about 60 beautiful sites nestled in large spruce, pine and poplar trees.
Chitek Lake's Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church is closed because of COVID-19. If one chooses to drive 12 miles to Leoville, service is at 9 a.m. Sunday, but call Adele Craswell at 306-960-0882 before making an appearance or Father Peter at 306-344-7867. In his parish, Spiritwood is approximately 30 miles from Chitek and the Sunday mass is scheduled for 11 a.m., but the same rules apply before planning to attend. They actually prefer outsiders call a couple days in advance to keep the numbers within limits.
To be married for 60 years is a big feat. Ruth and Paul Bilanski at Alticane reached that milestone July 9, but did not celebrate lavishly because of the pandemic. But to be married 73 years is incredible. Anne and Orville Pollard, who farmed east of Mayfair before retiring to Saskatoon, celebrated June 17. Congratulations to both families.
