November 19, 2006:

A lovely day! It started out about -14° but there was no wind and the sun shone almost all day, making it very pleasant.

It snowed Monday night and almost all day Tuesday. The grader went by Tuesday afternoon and left a ridge in front of the driveways – nothing we couldn’t drive through, but once it freezes it gets very hard. So, I dug the snowblower out from under its tarp, gave one pull on the rope, and away it went. Now the driveway is blown out, all ready to blow in again.

Thursday morning, the temperature was up to 0°, with a very strong wind. It had rained the night before, and bare roads were like a curling rink. The Highways crew was out sanding on the highway so it was fine, but walking in the park was treacherous. No more walking until conditions improve!

We went to Hudson Bay yesterday, and visited with Mike, Marg and Danny and took in their trade show. Besides the trade show, the Saskatchewan Arts Council had a display of works by Martha Cole, wall hangings the size of quilts and put together in quilting style. Each was a picture of an elevator in a different town, superbly done, with exquisite detail. I took pictures of the one of Lakeside Processors in Dafoe because it is owned by Louise Crawford’s brothers, and one of the elevator at Stony Beach, because I worked there for two weeks in 1953 (Not in the elevator – I was in the CNR station.) That display was well worth the trip! I believe it may be up for awhile yet, so if you want to see it, call the Administration Office to see when it is open.

Today was Bjorkdale’s annual Craft Fair, so we went there for lunch, a look-around, and some visiting with people we rarely see any more. I tried out in the turkey shoot – did okay, too, but was beaten out by a kid that barely came up to my waist. He won the previous heat, too, so was obviously no one-shot wonder.

Next Friday is the Greenwater Community Pot Luck Supper and Social – always a popular event. Doors are open at 5 PM and supper will be served at 6:30. The usual rules apply – no matter what people bring, there always seems to be a good selection of everything. Everyone welcome!

We got a preview of the history book Gwyn Hirtle is having published. Main content is Township 40 Range 11 West of 2^nd Meridian . She has a map of the township with dots marking the approximate location of homesteads, and photos of many of the homesteads. Some are gone, of course, with no trace remaining, such as one on the south-east corner of the section (26) we used to live on (Gandzalas homesteaded there.) In that case, when Father LaCasse had his quarter cleared to the south, the cat wandered north about a hundred yards and likely took the homestead with it. Included are histories and photos of Bellshill and Greenwater Schools , and of the Park. It looks like a wonderful work. We have spoken for our copy.

Kelvington’s big weekend is coming up, with Moonlight Madness on Friday, the 24^th and the Noel Bazaar on Saturday, the 25^th. They call it Christmas in the Country Weekend. Looks like all kinds of bargains and special events, such as a sock hop for the school kids Friday evening, and Santa photos at the elementary school Saturday evening. Look for details in the North East Connection or the Kelvington Radio.