MAYFAIR — Has anyone noticed the mosquitoes are nearly finished wanting our blood? Outdoors, an abundance of nasty biting wasps, no seams, flies and particularly this time of the year 'fruit flies'. Holy Moly how fruit flies invade our kitchens so rapidly this time of the year. Other insects that are rampant (been a dry summer up until now) are grasshoppers and in many areas, crickets. In older rural houses even with cement basements, particularly crickets can loudly chirp thus causing the homeowner much distress. When one comes within proximity this insect stops chirping and feels threatened! I wonder how many city condo owners etc. on for example 10th floor experience any of this? Once we get Jack Frost for a few nights then the insects should disappear!
It’s interesting to watch a wild animal prepare for winter. The family cabin is in the northern forest. Many squirrels are running around, jumping from tree branches and on top of the cabin roof. Interesting little creatures to say the least, as they gather berries, rosehips, nuts and seeds for the oncoming winter months. On a sunny warmer winter day these adventurous animals seem to enjoy almost any environment as we also have them on the farm site.
The cooler rainy weather which halted harvesting gave farmers and hired help a nice break from being in those dusty fields. But a few days later the weather changes to bright sunny days bringing these large machines operational in the fields. Precipitation is usually a welcome sight as long as it does not linger for too long in September and October.
This Saturday I had the privilege to attend a farewell potluck in Glenburn Regional Park for retiring manager Al Delaire of Maymont. Due to health reasons after being there for six years, the park will be under new management next year. The new concession which burnt down last September is under construction. Hopefully, it will be fully operational for the 2025 summer season. Al said the old concession had a built-in clubhouse in which even weddings took place. Inclement weather brought ones together inside for cards, games and watching TV. The duties of the Park manager start May 1 and generally end in the middle of September.
At this Glenburn Regional Park farewell, Ron Tkatchuk and Lee Le Blanc from Hafford supplied wonderful musical entertainment. They are both retired volunteers giving 'their all' to delight audiences with a variety of music. LeBlanc’s wife will join in at times to sing. There were draws and a large retirement cake for the hungry crowd. A speech was given by Cody Greenslade the parks board president and a few words from Delaire. He said this park is a family-oriented one and hopes it will still be managed in that manner as most people will look out for one another’s children.
I survived hitting a moose on a gravel road at night three weeks ago. It was raining and I was going slowly trying to avoid it but no luck. I’m not sure if my truck is totalled or not as the adjuster has to check out the damage. I was fortunate that it did not come through the windshield! I’m also fortunate that I do not drive a small compact car. There are many wildlife claims that insurance companies deal with every year.
Another successful end of season for Honeywood Nursery near Parkside (Shellbrook area) with the Fall in Splendor theme this past Sunday. Thankfully the weather cooperated thus bringing in people from as far away as Regina and Medicine Hat, Alt., the best times to visit this spectacular place are fruit trees which begin to bloom second the week of May; lilacs in June; peonies usually bloom early July and lilies also more/ less middle of July. It all depends on how early spring is with the weather either co-operating or not. This past spring brought an abundance of rain and in some areas, it was difficult for farmers to finish seeding their fields. The fruit trees start ripening mid-August and are generally ripe for the last big get-together in September. A very large crowd came for lunch and the ever-so-popular rhubarb or apple crisp with ice cream was mouth-watering.
Excellent entertainment by a band named 'Old 4 D' because of the old Highway 40 and most members of the band’s name begins with a 'D'. Band members from nearby Parkside and others from Prince Albert. Many vendors were selling their goods. One in particular who often sells his printed photographic cards, books and pictures had a very large display on Sunday. One can go to the website: kentickner.com to view them with reasonable prices.
Honeywood Nursery -- A volunteer driver on a small tractor pulling a wagon gave rides out into areas in which people would not be walking. Lecturing us on different species of trees and shrubs and sharing information as to what is edible and not edible! We got a sample of delicious small-sized sweet-tasting plums as we did this 15-minute wagon tour. My friend Faye Liebaert of Mayfair and I had a great afternoon of purchasing from the vendors and very hardy plants from the nursery.
Mass time at Mayfair All Saints Catholic Church is extended into part of October to 9:00 a.m. with Father Greg Elder from the Battlefords. He will be temporarily replacing our local priest who is going for a vacation for five weeks to visit his family in Africa.
I started my column complaining about bugs and insects. I forgot to mention the pesky flea beetles that can devastate canola and mustard crops. These crops will display an uneven height and stunt the maturity resulting in reduced seed quality. Unfortunately, they have eaten my broccoli plants which didn’t take them very long. There can be hundreds of them chewing irregular holes in the leaves and making the plants wither and die. I tell myself the grocery produce section has a lot of healthy-looking broccoli to buy!
On Saturday, Sept. 21 the town of Langham will be buzzing with a fun-filled educational day. The history of Mennonites; Hutterites; Doukhobors and Ukrainians with a guest speaker on each culture. These groups will have mouth-watering ethnic food at the 'Ethnic Food Fare' between 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. held at the curling rink. Between 3:30 and 5 p.m., there will be music supplied by Norm and the Golden Aces. Former Whitkow farmer Norman Woytowich’s newly formed band with Darlene Hupaelo formerly of Blaine Lake and several others are included in this band. Langham community hall is the place to be this Saturday as it’s advertised as “Come connect with the community through food, music and stories."
