Orange Memories Musings: Beautiful Prairie Spring
By Beth Robertson
"June is bustin' out all over." This playful song by Rogers and Hammerstein reminds us of our beautiful prairie spring. And it does bust out: leaves on the trees, green fields, wild flowers. Trees are at their leafy best. The spring rains have been abundant. It doesn't get better than that! It is my favourite month. What is yours?
When our sons were in 4H, one requirement was to identify ten spring wild flowers for their Achievement Day Record book. I thought to myself, "The only wild flowers blooming in May and June are buffalo beans." We learned differently when we walked the pastures and roadsides. There was a bounty of beautiful flora. We just needed to take time to see it: smooth blue beards tongue, three flowered avens, pussy toes (yes, a real flower), moss phlox, Canada anemone and those exotic grasses that grow around sloughs.
And the birds! Our feathered friends are back to sing for us and to help keep nature in balance. How many can you identify?
There is a new display in our front entrance and now we know why, during the past month, McKenna took pictures of our hands. The display is beautiful and touching, and also a testament to how well McKenna and Morgan know the residents. Stop to see the display when you visit and take time to read the comments under each picture. History in simple pictures and words.
Our first coffee/tea gathering under the name "Java Junction" has happened. Thank you to all who came. There was lots of chatter, meeting new friends and renewing friendships. Someone even accepted the invitation to bring apples for the "apple demonstration."
The demonstration showed, by cutting up an apple, how little productive land there is on our planet. We learned that a mere 3% of our earth is viable food producing land. That 3% feeds 8.3 billion people! Lots of room for discussion here about land use, population explosion and food waste. Do you remember your mother saying, "You had better eat that. Some child, somewhere across the ocean is going hungry." Some things don't change!
A warm Orange Memories welcome to our new resident, Margaret Stone. Margaret has moved here from Outlook where they farmed and are farming near the bank of the river. We are happy you chose Orange Memories, Margaret.
The adorable three-year-olds from Kid Kare and their caregivers came to visit on June 5th. They showed us some of their songs and learning games. McKenna gave them a snack and they gave us some of their art work. Thank you! Come again!
Kid Kare came again on June 11th: double treat this month! This time it was the five-year-old group. They sang and danced for us and then we taught them a song. We played picture bingo together, then had lunch. This group is off to Kindergarten in the fall so when we see them next year, they will be in school. Happy trails, little friends!
June 11th was full of magic. Firstly, Morgan and McKenna transformed our dining room into a spacious dance floor. Then the young dancers from Forever Dance Studio came. Ranging in age from four years to nineteen, they mesmerized us with their dances that ranged from adorable to absolute elegance. Applause, smiles and tears came from this appreciative audience. The last bit of magic was when with a swoosh of people and furniture, the dance floor became a dining room again and everyone was seated in time for dinner: in their own chair!
Phoebe's piano students, ranging in age from pre-school to teen years, came to show their expertise and to entertain us on June 14. Thank you for sharing your talents! Come again.
This is not Orange Memories news but it is a Rosetown/Zealandia story of note. Ross Kidd, formerly from Zealandia, and his wife, Cathy, stopped by to visit. They were in the area to attend the Kidd family reunion at the farm home of Curtis Kidd and family. (They now live on the farm where Barry and Judy lived for many years.) It was the 35th annual family reunion to be held on the wedding anniversary of their great-great grandparents, Edgar and Evelyn Kidd, who had moved to Zealandia in 1904 to farm. Many of their descendants still live in the Zealandia/Rosetown area. I doubt that it is an exaggeration to say virtually everyone in the Zealandia/Rosetown area knows or has known a Kidd descendant. Congratulations to this family that has for more than one hundred years contributed to and continues to contribute to these two communities and beyond.
The Senior Choral Group came on June 17th for their last presentation until fall. They sang gospel songs and then left everyone laughing with their hilarious presentation of "If I Were Not Upon This Stage." It brings back memories of Saakeehiwaywin Singers days fifty years ago.
The Wheatland Regional Centre friends came to visit on June 18th. There was lots of chatter and laughter over coffee and cookies.
The decorations in the dining room had a definite farming feel for the Fathers' Day brunch on June 19th. Miniature bales, made by McKenna, model tractors and farm machinery graced the tables and counters. McKenna opened the event with a welcome to all and the reading of two farmer-themed poems. Gord Letourneau and Bob Gardner manned the barbeques and our kitchen staff took care of the rest. Morgan's "How Well Do You Know Your Dad?" brought lots of laughs and a few surprises. Thanks were expressed to the kitchen staff and servers. Thank you, Morgan and McKenna, for another successful event. It takes much work and planning, but these community-building events are wonderful.
The afternoon was complemented with entertainment by the McConnells. They are a favourite here.
Just a reminder: The next Java Junction is on July 8th at 2:30. Join us for beverages, visiting and fun.
We had two visits from the W.A.S. "graduating" kindergarten class. One of the three classes came on June 22nd, then the other two classes came to sing their "graduation" songs for us on June 23rd. They have spent much of June visiting businesses in town and learning how these businesses function. Congratulations, little ones, as you step into the world of more formal learning.
Now we have come to the end of another entertainment and worship services year. Thank you to all who brighten our lives. We hope to spend lots of time in the sun. Have a great summer. See you in the fall!