MEOTA ‑‑ What a great weekend for family activities, both on the lake and at the skating rink and curling rink, on the streets and just getting outside. The road to the fishing shacks was widened, and many folks were out trying their luck there. Several snow machines were out, after waiting until the weather was fit, and riders visited the hotel, too.
Jan. 15, the Meota Curling Club held a Stick or Slide Sturling Spiel with 12 teams entered.
The bonspiel was split into two pools. Winner of Pool A was the pairing of Robert St. Amant (Week 1 Curler of the Week) and Ed Cadrin.
First place in Pool B were Gwen Drury and Gordon Moore. This was the first bonspiel the curling club has held since March of 2020.
Next event at the curling rink is the "Broom for 2" Sturling Spiel Feb. 12.
The bridge report from the Pioneer Hall, for Jan.11 afternoon, when they had two tables in play individually, found top score going to Catriona Winterholt. Second was Jeanine Beloin and tied for third were Gerry Craig and Margaret Dyck. Thursday afternoon there were two and a half tables in play and top couple was Catriona Winterholt and Donna Scherman, followed by Margaret Dyck and Dave Creegan. They enjoyed a nice afternoon now that the weather has broken from the extreme cold spell.
Thursday morning was a "white white" morning with poor visibility for drivers and great hoarfrost on the trees.
Jan. 14 found three tables in play at the Do Drop In, with canasta winners, in order, Albert Huys and Dave Ottas, Arlene Walker and Marion Ottas and Eric Callbeck and Gwen Lacerte. Again, this was a great social time to get out and visit friends.
The Do Drop In seniors' meeting was held Jan. 14 with about a dozen loyal members present. The library report was given by Maureen Campbell. She said COVID testing kits are available there.
There is only one book of SSAI tickets left to sell. Vivianne Lesko reported she has two films on hand and the date picked for Trudy Janssens to show them is Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. in the seniors' hall. The first one is "Clydesdales: Saving the Greatest Horse" and a short comedy, "Once More from the Top." Donations will be accepted and it will be open to the public with COVID restrictions in place.
The next shuffleboard tournament is Jan, 22. It was decided to hold one on the second Saturday of each month, hereafter.
Linda Ard read an interesting report from the Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund, which operates under the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre, thanking people for their support last year. They helped around 1,050 people a month through the food bank; 44 per cent of those were children. Last year the Empty Stocking Fund distributed 426 Christmas hampers over four days before Christmas Day; 54 per cent of registrations for hampers were for children and included a gift.
Throughout the school year their Food for Kids program gave out around 130 bags of food, per week. During tax season they held free income tax clinics for low-income families ‑‑ 400 participated last season. They distributed more than 100 winter jackets.
In 2021, a pilot program, in collaboration with Midwest Foods Resource, yielded more than 1,000 pounds of fresh produce for their clients and offered classes to people wanting to learn to grow their own food.
It was decided to invite Edam Seniors, with a tentative date of April 20, for a noon meal and afternoon of games, set. The wellness clinic will be held on Thursday mornings, every second month, so will not interfere with Wednesday morning Coffee Row gatherings.
The Vawn Hotel is sponsoring their annual snowmobile rally Saturday, Feb. 19, from the hotel, with departures every 10 minutes, starting at 9:30 a.m. and running to 1:30 p.m. There will be hot dogs and hot chocolate at the halfway point on the trail. Register at vawncommunityhall@hotmail,com. Current COVID restrictions apply. 50/50 tickets are available at Edam post office, Stellar Insurance, Vawn Hotel and Meota Credit Union. There is a guaranteed payout of $500. Funds raised will go towards outdoor rink installation. For more information contact Brandon at 306-821-1330.
The food bank in Turtleford handed out 117 hampers in December.
