Fall Fair

The Lakes District Fall Fair and Music Festival is behind us but what a fair and festival it turned out to be. The wonderful memories it leaves behind can never be taken away for a long time. It鈥檚 hard to realize it鈥檚 in its 71 year. What a weekend with something for everyone. Even the weather came our way, we just couldn鈥檛 ask for nicer.

The fair for many years was moved to many locations but now it鈥檚 in a super place for a fair and festival. It鈥檚 just so special just made for it.

There was so many things for the younger folk to do there were so many happy kids. If the kids are happy and busy the parents are too.

The train rides were something special and were well used. One thing we must not forget are the many folks who organized and planned it all. This takes months of hard work to get it all together and run so smooth as this one did.

The whole preparation of the grounds and the buildings for the three day events and then there is the cleanup when it鈥檚 all over and this is a hard and long job.

It was a great fair and festival one of the best ever it was what I call super-duvial for want of a better word. I must not forget those who worked the grounds and the gates as this is so important for an event this size, you were great.

Good singers and music just make a fair like the icing on the cake and we were treated to the best, hats off to you all. It was what I would call it professional. Last but not least was the good food and the good service that went with it. This makes a fair what it is and you were great.

As I look back to the many years our fair has been going on and the history behind it all. The many locations that the fair was held. I feel very proud to think of the years that my wife Jo and I took an active part in. Jo loved the fair and also taking part. Not many of the old-timers left but we will always remember them. Let鈥檚 hope someday some one will write a story on our fair, it will be a great one for our younger generation to read. This years fair and music festival was just out of this world and you will have to agree with me.

Terry Fox

This weekend past was a  busy one with the Terry Fox run for cancer held at the Francois Lake Hall. This is so important for us all. Maybe some time there will be a cure for cancer and it鈥檚 folks like us that could make it happen.

There are very few homes who have never had a member of their family have cancer, sad to say but true.

Cold weather

I took a short walk this morning, left my jacket behind and the wind chill made me think fall is in the air. Could be a bit early but it鈥檚 there I kid you not. Snow in Calgary, let鈥檚 hope they keep it there at least the month.

Nice visit

I always enjoy company for a visit and today I had my brother in-law Ralph Keefe stop in. Ralph has his home at Francois Lake and also a home in Victoria where his family live. Ralph was born at Francois Lake and also spent his growing up years here so we go back a long way together. Lots of stories we can share.

Tweedsmuir is a wonderful place to stay with good care etc. but I do miss the lake with the sunrises and the sunsets also the change of seasons. I had spent over a lifetime at the lake, 73 years to be exact.

Sixty of those years were spent with a very special lady who I will never forget. Raised a wonderful family and have made so many wonderful friends whom I treasure.

I miss my horse Cooper, playing guitar with Lonespur and my boat and of course being able to drive as I liked driving and I brag a bit when I say I was a very good driver for over 70 years.

When I reached 90 years I felt safer to let it go voluntarily although I was still in good health.

I got my first drivers license in Macklin, Sask. when I was 16 years old. But I still loved my horses and always will. Selling my pickup and giving up my drivers license were the hardest things to give up but I thought at the time the smartest thing I had ever done.

Also my music and singing came up next in the give-up line. I had two chances of going big time but let it slip by and I am sorry as I still love music and always will.

Last but not least is the ever popular group of singers my niece Renay and The June Bugs. They are still singing my song 鈥楾he cowboy song鈥� that we wrote together. I wrote the words and Renay put the music to it. The song is still popular鈥� thanks Renay you are so special and so are The June Bugs.

Joke

A good old Saskatchewan boy won a fishing boat in a raffle draw. When he brought it home to his wife she looks at him and says 鈥渨hat the heck are you going to do with that, there ain鈥檛 no water deep enough within 75 miles.鈥� He says 鈥淚 won it and I shall keep it.鈥�

His brother comes over for a visit and he asks his wife where is my brother. She says 鈥渉e is out there in his fishing boat鈥� and points to a field behind the house. The brother heads out behind the house and sees his brother in a fishing boat with a fishing rod in his hand. He is in the middle of a big field. His brother yells out to him 鈥渨hat the heck are you doing.鈥� The brother says 鈥渃an鈥檛 you see I鈥檓 fishing, what does it look like I鈥檓 doing.鈥� His brother yells back 鈥渋t鈥檚 people like you that give people from Saskatchewan a bad name making folks think we are stupid. If I could swim I would come out there and kick your backside.鈥�

Take note our first killing frost last night, I understand minus five. Seems a bit on the early side for me, could be we may get an Indian summer to shorten up the winter, it鈥檚 only Sept. 10.

Best stop now with my usual take care and always remember God loves you and so do I.

P.S. If my wife Jo were still living we would be celebrating our 64 years married Sept. 10. As they say time flies and I guess it鈥檚 true.