MAYFAIR — Not that I wanted a two-week hiatus from doing my news, but I lost my cellphone, and this is the device I use to send in my news and photos. Thankfully, someone found it in a village that I frequent often, lying in the grass unharmed and turned it in to the RCMP. After much confusion about who it belonged to, a polite officer got in touch with me. I had to drive to the Warman detachment to retrieve my important device. I’m ever so grateful to this wonderful person who diligently went out of his/her way.
The Mother’s Day Tea in Ruddell brought the young and older moms out for a lovely afternoon, including entertainment, a plant sale and wonderful dessert with a choice of many toppings. Madison and Anika Harder performed a piano duet and sang a musical theatrical song, much to the crowd's delight. I led a sing-along. Great singing voices, I must say. Colleen Soule, the program MC, gave a history of the ladies’ group who keep this small hamlet's hall open and thanked everyone for attending. They are a closely knit group of six local women.
From Sunday, May 4, I still have Ukrainian music in my mind after the Hafford Cheremka Dancers performed flawlessly in the Communiplex. It was a delight to see the eager wee ones and all the other students performing for the large audience. Years ago, my daughter danced with the Whitkow Rosa Chervona Dance Club for 12 years, so I still enjoy watching this sort of entertainment. Coffee and dainties were included in the silver collection.
It was so nice to visit my farm neighbour, Shirley Lamontagne, who now resides in Aspira Retirement Living in Saskatoon since this past January. What a fantastic place. Her Jack Day happened to be there when I arrived. One has to sign in on the computer at the front door, which asks questions and takes a photo, then spits out a card I keep with me for future visits. I got a tour of the three-floor facility, which includes a beauty salon, movie theatre, games room, craft area, library and laundry rooms. The staff is excellent, and a visitor gets free coffee and treats. I can’t wait to go back to see Shirley again and would gladly take other local neighbours who have the time to do this (besides shopping in a big city). Why not make a full day of laughter and fun?
Most clubs take a summer break from monthly meetings, and this is no different with the Mayfair CWL group. The June meeting will not be in the church but at member Georgina Youst’s farm southeast of Mayfair on Wednesday, June 11, starting with a wiener roast at noon, then the meeting. All members are encouraged to attend.
Friday, May 9, at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, I was with my daughter and granddaughter attending “Rock Stars on Ice,” which didn’t disappoint the audience. Elvis Stojko was the big attraction among many of the world’s elite figure skaters. Fifty-three-year-old Stojko still dazzles the crowd, who went wild after his two performances. He is a three-time world figure skater, a two-time Olympic silver medalist and a seven-time Canadian champion. I’ve seen him several times over the years performing in Saskatoon, and he gives an amazing performance. As advertised, rock (music) anthems came alive as world-class skaters gave it their “all” with grace and artistry.
Mark your calendars for Friday, June 6, as Medstead’s Multiple 4-H Club is having their mini achievement day near the arena in Medstead. Then on Sunday, June 8, the District 33 Regional 4-H show and sale involving members from Big River, North Spirit ( Spiritwood ) and Medstead clubs are at SAD SAAC Park in Spiritwood. The agenda is: 8 a.m. beef show; 12:40 p.m. sheep show; 2:30 p.m. steer show; 6:00 p.m. supper by silver collection;7 p.m. the live auction. One doesn’t have to be in attendance to bid, as you can watch and bid online. After a big day, the kids might be too tired to attend school classes the next day. 4-H is such an important club that rural kids can partake in to enhance their skills for adulthood. I’m so glad it is still active across Canada. Volunteer leaders spend many hours showing their dedication for the rural youth.
Bunnock, anyone? It’s a growing sport in our area and across the prairies. Meeting Lake Regional Park and Kim Golding can give details at 306-371-5594. Registration is open until June 25 at 5 p.m. First place prize is $315, second place $210 and third place $175. Entry fee is $50 per team of four players. One player must be of the opposite gender and can be registered on only one team. The Bunnock tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 29.
Saturday, June 14 is a big day for Eric and Karen Kuffert as this is their farm and livestock equipment auction conducted by auctioneer Kelly Schneider of Medstead (BoechlerShira Auctioneers. The Kufferts’ well-maintained farm is near Rabbit Lake. There will be a concession on the farm site.
Also on this day, at 1 p.m., the funeral for a former resident, Dave Friemak, is at 1 p.m. in Rabbit Lake Community Hall.
The spring plant, craft, bake and miscellaneous sale in Mayfair Hall last Saturday had vendors: Toews family and Heather Welsh (Mayfair Creative Corner organization); Leanne Cherwinski; Judy Kennedy; Alice Grigor and Elaine Woloshyn. The breakfast McMuffins were enjoyed by the medium-sized crowd that attended. The farthest attendee, Kristi from Edmonton, is Joan and Gordon Jackson’s youngest daughter. She was at the Speers family farm for a visit. The fall sale is usually held in September, and not to mention the big Christmas craft sale is on the last Saturday in November. I’ll keep everyone posted on the dates.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ascension of our Lord in Whitkow is having the annual Praznyk with Divine Liturgy, a potluck lunch, visiting and blessing of the local gravesites on Saturday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. Please pass this information on to the Whitkow and district former residents who might be interested in coming to this special occasion.
Randy Foulston at 306-480-1465 is taking entries for the slo-pitch tournament in Glenburn Regional Park on Saturday, June 7. This coincides with the park concession’s grand opening, with many food specials offered throughout the day. On the agenda are beer gardens 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., live music 4 to 8 p.m. and a whole lot of fun playing and being a spectator at the ball games. Come out for a great day and support this small regional park five miles south of Maymont near the scenic North Saskatchewan River.
Our 2025 spring is setting a record breaker for gusting winds and dangerous forest fires. In the last three weeks, our Mayfair district experienced three fires in two days and one destroyed an old house near Mullingar.
