WINTER DAYS

We were having some problems with the router so our computers weren't working right and I couldn't even access my blog.  That's one reason for no posts since January but now I must attempt to "catch up".  Thanks for your patience!

The title of this blog is "Winter Days" so even if it's now March 12, it's officially still winter.  It has been quite a winter with records broken for the coldest February in many a year.  We stuck it out and even went for a drive to watch a curling game in Estevan when the temperature was -40ºC .  The sun was shining and there was no wind so away we went to watch Abbey curl! 

Abbey curled there in an under 18 mixed doubles competition, a new curling game that is catching on in Canada after being introduced in Europe.  The team is one guy and one gal and five rocks are thrown for each end.  Two other rocks are placed in a set position before the game starts, one in the house and one in front as a guard. The first player of the team throws rocks one and five, the other throws two, three and four.  Abbey's partner was Braden Fleischhacker, a friend from Humboldt who she met at curling competitions.  They won all five of their games in Estevan and were awarded the first provincial mixed doubles curling trophy for SK 18 years and under!  Here they are with their prize trophy and coach Clare Johnson.

The highlight of January was a trip to Frontier to attend the 40th Anniversary of the Frontier Recreation Centre from January 18th through the 20th.  The planning committee did an excellent job and are to be commended for having this event for the 40th while many of the original board and workers from the opening in 1979 could be present and acknowledged for their part in building this centre that is unique in small town Saskatchewan. 

The "40 Years of Fashion" show was special for me as my sister Sandra was very involved in putting this together and also described the outfits as the models walked through the crowd. Here are a few pictures -

Sandra at the mike

My maternity dress made by Mom

Sandra's grad dress made by Mom

corn brooms used for curling

Laureen (Thoring) Coakley in her graduation dress.

Mayor Brady Berg, a good sport!
(Larry Berg's son)

New Frontier tee shirts (Rett and Katie Sanford on right in front and middle rows)

Music was provided after the fashion snow
(Sax player Reed Miller had also played at the opening of the Rec centre)

The late Olaf Friggstad was the one who had the dream of having this recreational centre in his hometown.  His son Obert was the achitect who drew up the plans.  It was so special to have both Obert and Terry come down from Saskatoon on Saturday for the ceremony that afternoon.  Alan and I enjoyed visiting them at the pancake breakfast.  The Friggstad farm was three miles west of the Erickson farm so my brothers, Mervin and Alan, spent a lot of time with David, Obert and Terry.

Here's a picture of the speakers for the Saturday afternoon 40th Anniversary program -Dion Heggestad,  Gerry Evenson, Randy Peterson,  Clifford Thoring, Earl Swarbrick, Trevor Anderson, Terry Friggstad, Obert Friggstad

Here's a copy of the program for that weekend so you will see how much you missed if you didn't attend this event.

As you can see, it was a very full weekend but time was allowed between events for lots of visiting.  Sandra, Alan and I enjoyed a wagon ride with Jim Palmer and his team.  It was a cold day but with warm clothes and blankets we made out fine.

I will close with pictures of the ethnic dessert table.  Sorry for making your mouths water!!

This will close this blog post and I'll start working on another one about the rest of our winter before it's time for a spring one.  Looks like it's around the corner as it was 2º above zero today with water starting to gather in low places.  Great to see!!