With Christmas and the holiday season fast approaching comes a flurry of activities, visiting, shopping and family and friends gathering. The weather has been awesome, leaving roads in great condition, temperatures mild. But watch out for the ice!
Bill and Joyce Hansel drove to Consort December 9 to watch Ray Musgrove and his hockey team play and win 5 to 2 over Lacombe. Especially exciting as Ray is the goalie for his team.
Bill and Joyce celebrated Christmas early with their son Larry and Erika at their granddaughter Lena and Brad Snodgrass in Stettler on Saturday December 16.
Percy and Paulette Heer helped Percy’s sister Dale Van Straten celebrate her birthday on Friday evening, December 15 (a bit early as her birthday is the 18th). Joining them in Stettler were Dale and Eldon’s family, Shandele Battle and girls (Ted was away working); Brandon and Kim Van Straten and family; Pernell and Carla Van Straten and girls; Jody and Michele Renschler and family. In all a company of 20. After supper Percy and Paulette joined Dale and Eldon, Brandon and Kim, Shandele and their families out at Eldon and Dale’s for birthday cake and an evening of family reminiscing.
Chuck and Jean Schilling pleasantly surprised Bill and Joyce Hansel with an evening visit and a night of playing cards Wednesday. The ladies came out the winners. Continuing the luck, Bill and Joyce headed up to Percy and Paulette’s Thursday afternoon and once again the ladies won four out of five games of 500.
Stan and Gloria Diegel surprised their grandchildren, Clyde, Mac and Jules Cordel (Tasha and Aaron) on Thursday, December 14 when they attended their Christmas concert at Mecca Glen School, the “little country school” on the prairies. This school is situated between Bashaw and Ponoka. They posted an awesome picture of Stan and Gloria, Clyde, Mac and Jules on Facebook after the concert.
It’s a girl! Bill and Joyce Hansel received word on Friday morning that their 20th great grandchild has arrived. Sarah Elizabeth Trenerry arrived by C-section on December 14, weighing nine pounds, one ounce, born in Wainwright to proud parents Devin and Heather Trenerry. Very proud grandparents are Sandy Trenerry and Rod, great grandparents Bill and Joyce (this evens the score with 10 great granddaughters and 10 great grandsons). Congratulations to all.
Kerri Potheir enjoyed Friday night, December 15 with the Christmas light up at her sister Cammy and Louis Gendre of Erskine. Another happy crowd of people enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies, a wiener roast and hidden candy bags. The highlight was a 15 foot reindeer and sleigh that held up to 20 people at a time.
On a much sadder note, word has come of the passing of an old school mate of mine. Don Peterson passed away suddenly and peacefully at his home on Friday, December 9 at the age of 63. Our class, Donnie among them, started school in Gadsby, Grade 1, in 1960. He graduated Wm. E. Hay High School in 1972 and kept in touch with many of his old school chums, taking in the 10, 20, 30 and 40 year class reunions. Don traveled extensively with his career as an oilfield contractor, enjoyed his radio controlled airplane hobby and his friends and family. Sincere sympathies to his family, his brother Karl Peterson, sisters Julie (Robin) Weir, Sharon (John) Avery and their families. Don was very recently predeceased by his mother Laura (Peterson) Olsen. A service of remembrance will be held at the Ponoka Golf Course on January 12, 2018; 2 p.m.