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Rumsey, Rowley members participate in 4-H exchanges

A week ago Monday, volunteers met at St. Mary’s Health Care Centre in Trochu to host the regular monthly birthday party

A week ago Monday, volunteers met at St. Mary’s Health Care Centre in Trochu to host the regular monthly birthday party for those having birthdays this month.

Dariel McNaughton and her group of neighbours served the most delicious zucchini cake for everyone’s enjoyment. There were seven birthday folks this month — Bob Meston, Dick Vickery and Lou Frere from the lodge and from upstairs were Olive Breagan, Mary Chambers, Marie Kubinec and Audrey Smith. Bob Meston was not present, as he has been transferred to Stettler Nursing Home. His wife, Grace (Box), remains in Trochu for now.

Ray Duft was there to play music and sing for everyone. Folks sure do enjoy the old-time music. They can be seen tapping their toes and moving their hands to the beat.

The September birthday party hostess will be Marilyn Olmstead. As many of you folks know, the Olmsteads moved across the river to Trochu in early spring. Marilyn has kindly agreed to continue volunteering for the birthday parties of the month at St. Mary’s.

The community, though sad to see them move from here, is comforted that they are not very far away.

Thursday, neighbours from here visited the Olmsteads at their new home in Trochu and took them a gift of an engraved picture frame and a monetary gift for them to buy something else. Marilyn said that it’s a wonderful community here and a hard one to leave, but they are not far away so they plan to come back to social events. For anyone who would like to make note of Marilyn and Gerald Olmsteads’ telephone number in Trochu, it’s 403-914-2037.

I’m finding more about the 4-H exchange visits. From July 10-19 of this summer, four members of the Rumsey-Rowley 4-H Beef Club hosted members from Oxford County near Woodstock, Ont.

Evan and Levi Hampton had guests, as well as Lowell and Quin Nelson. On Aug. 7, these four members travelled to Ontario to Oxford County to visit with these same members and their families. They landed in London, Ont., and then travelled to Oxford County, which is near Woodstock. Our members arrived back here Aug. 16. (Our children did the same 4-H exchange visits when they were of that age, and still keep in touch with their host families. When Ken went, they stayed at Wilbaux, Mont. Among the members who went at that time was Shirley “Hampton” Bremmer. I think Ken was 12 years old then) .

Finally caught up to Helen Steen and she revealed why she has been so busy. Leonard’s nephew, Gary and Jean Norton from Ashwall, England, have been visiting. While here, they took in many events, including some of the Byemoor ball tournament. (Why Byemoor things are so important to the Steen family is because Carolyn and John live in that area and are very active in the community there).

Prior to getting to the Steen families in Rumsey area, the Nortons visited with Randy and Vi Steen and their families at Sparwood, B.C., and then flew back to England on the 23rd from the Calgary airport.

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of meeting up with the “Singing Flecks” from Calgary. We met in Drumheller when they arrived to sing for the folks at Continuing Care at the hospital. After having our supper together, we went with them to the Sunshine Lodge, where they entertained everyone beginning at 6 p.m.

These folks are our friends from the city and for anyone who would remember way back to our 50th wedding anniversary that we celebrated in the Rumsey community hall, Fred and Muriel Fleck entertained on Saturday afternoon and again Sunday morning prior to breakfast. It’s always nice to reminisce.

While visiting at Sunshine Lodge, we came across the newest resident there. Irene Duncan has moved into the lodge and is thoroughly enjoying the new surroundings. Congratulations.

The crops are turning colour all around and some folks are combining peas. I haven’t heard any comment about the yield as yet. It seems it’s always time to do the swathing when it’s the week of the annual garden show in Rumsey. This year, the date is today.

Sunday, Aug. 26, Ernie and I travelled to Blackfalds to visit. I stayed there with Linda and Earl for the day and our oldest daughter, Charlene, and her dad went to Edmonton to visit Ernie’s brother, Russell, who is a patient in hospital there. Everyone had a good day and it was nice to spend the time with family.

Don’t forget to take in the annual flower show in Rumsey today to view the exhibits and enjoy the supper. This is the 68th annual show.