Like most areas in Saskatchewan, we desperately need rain, as the crops were taking a hit in the sweltering temperatures last week. Canola fields are quickly ripening, giving the prairie landscape a patchwork of yellow, green and brown. Flax will shortly be in full bloom to add blue. Wild flowers adorn pastures and the sides of the roads.
Ruddell hosted its 117th annual July 1 celebration outside the community hall. People brought their own lawn chairs and beverages. Thanks to the organization of Liz and Geordie Smith and Erin Soule the afternoon of games was well attended. There usually is a potluck supper, but due to COVID-19, this didn’t occur.
Mass at Mayfair All Saints Roman Catholic Church is at 8:30 a.m. every Sunday. One has to rise and shine early, but then you have the rest of the day to do as you please. Rural clergyman, Father Frederick, has the responsibly of overseeing a large territory so after Mayfair service there is mass at Hafford at 10:30 a.m., Marcelinho at 12:30 p.m. and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation at 2:30 p.m. There are also weekday masses Wednesday and Friday at10:30 a.m. at St. Solange in Hafford.
Red Cross swimming lessons are slated for July 19 at Chitek Lake for two weeks with four eager instructors. There is usually a large enrolment, so the village will be buzzing with extra people and dogs. Registration is Sunday July 18 at the hall.
Get well wishes to former Mayfair resident Adgerine McNutt of North Battleford, who is dealing with a nasty fall. She always enjoys visitors and likes to know what is happening in her former village.
Congratulations to Curtis Goyan and Kari Gray on a July 1 wedding on their Whitkow farm site. They exchanged vows in front of a small crowd in their beautiful yard. It was the hottest day of the week, but a big outdoor fan with a water hose attached created a cool mist to help alleviate the problem. Curtis farms and Kari drives a school bus and is an educational assistant at Maymont Central School.
I hope everyone celebrated Canada Day with some small gesture of being a proud Canadian. On Facebook there is an animated Charlie Brown quip: “We can remove flags and symbols all of the time. But it’s the hate in the hearts people that needs to be removed.” Let us all stay strong as one united nation.
