By Les and Rosemary Stulberg
Ken and Eleanor Schultz and family extend an invitation to all interested to attend their 36th annual pancake breakfast and camp-out weekend on July 20-22 at their farm. Camping goes all weekend, Saturday night features the fireworks and on Sunday is the pancake breakfast and the 15th annual Great Endiang Balloon Race. Also on Sunday is the Frisbee golf tournament and a potluck supper wraps up the day’s activities.
Endiang Riding and Roping grounds were a sea of horse trailers, RV trailers, as well as competitors and spectators on July 1 for the 15th annual Wade Buchwitz Memorial Gymkhana.
There were almost 100 entries in a variety of gymkhana events in various age categories.
The high-point winners of each division were: Pee Wee - Wyatt Elder; junior - Gabby Heck; and senior - Taylor Brower.
Fireworks at dark brought an end to a big day for the young cowboys and cowgirls.
Congratulations to Gwen Keith on being appointed principal of the Byemoor School. Mrs. Keith has taught primary grades at the Byemoor School for 29 years so is very in-touch with all aspects of the school.
Carol Stulberg, Les and Rosemary Stulberg and Larry and Lorene Stulberg attended the 50th wedding anniversary celebration for Ray and Shirley (nee Keibel) Hieb in Calgary on June 29, their actual wedding date.
Shirley was raised near Endiang, the daughter of Ben and Martha Keibel. Congratulations, Shirley and Ray, and best wishes for many more happy years.
Gord Duncan has recently moved from Idaho to the former Bill and Shirley Mappin farm. The Mappins have retired to Stettler. Gord was raised north of Endiang on the farm of his parents, Donald and Irene Duncan, which is only a few miles down the road from where he is living now. Welcome home, Gord.
Friends of Ron and Gerry (nee Groundwater) Stimson will be interested to know they have moved back to Alberta from Kaledon, B.C., in the south Okanagan Valley. They have recently relocated to an acreage in Ponoka County. Welcome back to Alberta, Ron and Gerry.
The Gilbert family held a family reunion at the farm of Doreen and Eugene Nixon at Byemoor last weekend. The Gilberts are relatives of the Nixon and Bates families. A good time was reported to be had by all.
Luann Buchwitz hosted the Viste family reunion at her acreage near Pigeon Lake on the weekend.
Congratulations to Devon Mappin and Shauna Wing who were married on July 5 in Red Deer at the Heritage Ranch. Devon was raised in the Byemoor and Endiang communities and is the son of Marlene Mappin. Devon’s groomsmen were Kyle Sorensen, Tyler Stulberg and Cody Rausch. Best wishes to Devon and Shauna for a long and happy marriage.
The newlyweds reside in Red Deer where both are teachers.
Volunteers with the Endmoor Drop-In Centre spent a few days in Red Deer working shifts at the Casino.
We send birthday wishes to a former Endiang resident, Marilyn Boehlke, on the occasion of her 75th birthday. Marilyn celebrated this special milestone on July 9. Best wishes for many more, Marilyn.
Happy 65th birthday wishes are sent to Frank Gorjans, a former Byemoor resident, on July 9. Enjoy those government cheques, Frank.
Big Valley School bid farewell to its class of Grade 9 students. Moving on to high school are Thomas Butler, Brooklyn Chapman, Julie Ponto, Chase Skocdopole, Jacob Webster and Raina Wilson. Good luck in high school to you all.
Big Valley Junior Golf Camp was held July 10-11 — a great introduction to golf for the younger set.
Keep in mind the Big Valley Bust-out Rodeo is set for July 27-28. Rodeo action is set to begin at 7 p.m. each day. On Saturday there will be a pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. and a steak barbeque served at 5 p.m.
Online entries will be accepted July 14-18, call 403-739-2988. Local entries will be taken from 12-3 p.m. on July 18 by calling 403-739-2988. For more information call Tom Cassidy at 403-740-3488.
Alberta’s Lieutenant – Governor Lois Mitchell arrived in Big Valley on the train and was welcomed by Mayor Schell.
International visitors to Big Valley included a group of bikers from France who stayed in the campground en route to Drumheller. They plan a six-month stay in Canada.
There is a bridal shower coming up for Melissa Edwards, bride-elect of Robby Currier, on July 13 a 7:30 p.m. at the Big Valley Drop-In Centre.
Next meeting of the Big Valley Historical Society is on July 17 at 7 p.m. at the Train Station Museum.
Humour for the day — “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and you’ll get rid of him for the entire weekend.”