The big attraction at Oungre used to be the ball tournament with neighbouring towns competing for the top prize money. A few years ago the Daae Family organized a jamboree with several musical groups entertaining during the afternoon and evening. That has grown yearly and is now the main attraction for the day. It is held indoors at the rink so goes ahead, rain or shine. Even in hot weather, it's cool inside. Some seating is provided and you can also bring your lawn chair. We especially look forward to hearing the Daae Family and the Hansens, both families from this area. The Daae Family were recently featured on the TV program, 100 Huntley.
I don't usually feature cousins on my blog but today is a special birthday for Cheryl Haaland Jackson. When she was a year old I spent the summer at Uncle Herb and Aunt Edith's. Mom was flown to Regina on July 13, 1952 and spent six weeks in hospital there, some of it in the isolation ward, after coming down with polio. I was ten years old and enjoyed playing with Cheryl. Mervin stayed with Aunt Camilla and Uncle Hans, just a mile away. I learned to ride Ralph's bike so would go back and forth between the farms. Alan stayed at home with Dad. Grandma Erickson helped out there as cooking was not one of Dad's talents! It's hard to believe that was sixty years ago.
Mom was great to save letters. I have a box full of them and found one that Aunt Edith wrote to Mom on August 7, 1952. Here's a quote for you, Cheryl. "I have spent three evenings after the kids were in bed, getting my ironing done, can't iron clothes when Cheryl is around as she pushes the chairs from under the ironing board, and pulls the clothes and iron cord. She sleeps through our mealtime most of the time and eats later, but that gives me a chance to get meals cooked and dishes washed faster. Guess she's just waking up now, it's after 1 pm."
1952 saw nice crops but a hailstorm finished off Uncle Herb's. Dad had wanted Herb to come along with him to Regina "but Herb says he can't as they are going over all the fields before harvest, one-waying down what's left of our crop, and cultivating the summerfallow, and still have some repair work to do on the combine too. They have 1000 acres to cut north of town. They are running 24 hours a day so keeps me busy making meals and lunches. I have to prepare four breakfasts every morning, two dinners and suppers besides four lunches in between meals. Seems I don't get much else done." So that was what life was like the summer you were one, Cheryl.
Edith mentioned that they and Camilla's were sending money with Dad to buy a birthday present for mom. In Regina, he picked out a signet ring with mom's initial H on it. I don't remember who has this ring now, but that's the story behind it. And that's likely why mom saved that particular letter as she had written notes about the ring on the back of the letter. I guess this letter really belongs with the ring. I'll bring it along to the Erickson reunion and find the present owner of the signet ring.
Well, I better get off the computer and go and cut the grass while it's still on the cool side out there. Yesterday was our hottest day of the year, so far. It was over 30 degrees C but felt like 38 or 39 with the high humidity. Our air conditoner isn't working but we are "on the list" to get it looked at. Our thermostat was changed this winter so I wonder if it wasn't hooked up right after that as it was working fine last fall. The basement stays quite cool so that helps.
Have a good Canada Day tomorrow and enjoy the long weekend, if you're in Canada. Americans have to wait a few days before your July 4 celebrations. And the Norwegians celebrated on May 17. They can't do fireworks though as it never gets dark the end of May. They save their fireworks for New Years Eve but a rainstorm even ruled those out in Kristiansund this past year.
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| Canada Day, 1981 (fourteen candles instead of 114!) |
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