Summer sure took its time getting here but when it did arrive it was hot! I know I sure did my share of complaining about the cold wet spring and early summer. I whined about planting and replanting peas and cucumbers only to get nothing in return. I heard farmer after farmer say that the crops were needing heat to catch up. Last week we had heat and lots of it. This is the kind of weather that people either love or hate. Are you “cold” blooded or “hot” blooded?
Although Covid-19 has put a damper on the activities in a small community, things did begin to happen as the summer drew on. Could it be that we have become Covid fatigued? Are we becoming complacent or are we accustomed to sanitizing and distancing and learning to work with those restrictions?
Now school is gearing up to return to classes in some form and manner. Last year ended in the most bizarre fashion. Amid all the chaos, we were very proud of Hana Dzialo Hansen who graduated from Medstead School. Hana hosted a reception at the Senior Hall which was enjoyed by those who attended. Congratulations Hana and good luck at Lakeland College in Vermillion this fall.
Meeting Lake Regional Park was a busy place this summer. Even though the lake insisted on challenging the berm and causing a scramble many weekends to sand bag and shore up the dyke, life became busier and busier at the lake! The water remained very high but has receded just a little. The fishing has been incredible with a great harvest of nice sized walleye coming in.
Of course, July welcomes the haying season. By the look of the bales in the fields there has been a good cut. Crops are turning and according to the farmers that I spoke with the yield should be good. If we can hold off the frost. Over the summer there were a couple of hail episodes, enough to cause some damage to fields and gardens but it seemed to be in a fairly small region.
The community of Rabbit Lake is looking very nice thanks in part to our summer student, Kelsey Peterson. Along with mowing and trimming she has done a lot of painting and cleaning up. Additionally, Len Snyder tore down an old house that had outlived its usefulness. Kelsey worked one day a week at the local museum where she painted the exterior of the teacherage, cleaned the buildings, made display materials and scraped and painted some of the windows and some of the porch on the former Rose Gill Hospital. On Aug. 16 Al Highton of the Battlefords Vintage Car Club encouraged some friends to bring out their old cars for a Sunday afternoon jaunt. Local car enthusiasts added to the group. Thanks to all who added to the cue especially to John Krahn with his model T and Brian Jones with his race car! About 80 people dropped by to see the cars. Additionally, there was coffee and muffins available in the museum church. Naomi Unger, Cornie and Marlene Martens provided some singing in the church as Dave Issak accompanied them on the old pump organ. If was really an impromptu event but turned out to be a great afternoon.
Most people seem to need to be with people. We tend to be social creatures and with that in mind the Rabbit Lake seniors have been open for coffee three afternoons a week. Beginning Sept. 1, coffee will be available morning and afternoon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Drop by and catch up on what people are doing.
Another opportunity to socialize from a safe distance has been the outdoor street market that has been held each Saturday morning on main street. There have been a varied group of vendors to tempt shoppers. Thanks to all those who came to sell their wares and also a thank you to Joan Dzialo for organizing the event. I am pretty sure that it will start up again next summer. If you are interested in having a stall just contact Joan at the hotel.
There have been some especially big events this summer. On July 25 Brodie MacDonald and Kaytlynn Friesen where married in a small ceremony in Saskatoon. Brodie is the son of Cameron and Christine MacDonald. Congratulations to Brody and Katlynn!
Shortly after, on Aug. 11 at 6:03 p.m., Jayden MacDonald and Brooklynn Finch became parents of a little boy, Hudson Austin Neal MacDonald. Hudson weighed in at 8 lbs 2.5 ounces and was 19.2 inches long. He is already bigger and heavier than that! This makes Cam and Chris MacDonald grandparents! It also makes Mary MacDonald and Vivian Bassingthwaite great grandmothers. Congratulations Jayden and Brooklynn and welcome to Rabbit Lake, Hudson.
Happy birthday wished are extended to Cornie Martens who celebrated his 91st birthday on Aug. 16.
Our community is saddened with the passing of Stan Moore at the age of 85. Stan lived his entire life in the Rabbit Lake community and was very involved in its activities. Stan was an RM councillor for the RM of Medstead, long time member and chairman for the Rabbit Lake Integrated Health Care / Rose Gill Lodge board, tireless worker when it came to hockey, baseball, broomball and any sporting events. Out thoughts are with his wife Rose, son Troy, daughter Crystal and their families as well as Stan’s brothers Wayne and Brad and their families, sister in law Gwen and her family.
Finally, keep you eyes out for improvements to the area south of the arena and east of village. Trees have been trimmed up and dead trees removed. Signs are going up to indicate sites for un serviced, short term camping. This has been a project that the council has been promoting for sometime.
