Well, it’s been a long time since I was able to write the Rumsey district news. I spent my winter and spring in Red Deer and Drumheller hospitals. Not recommended for anyone. As of the last part of June, I have been able to be home again and beginning to get out a bit. We even took in the Ponoka Stampede the last part of June, which we have been doing for several years.
Monday, July 16, was the day of the regular monthly birthday party at St. Mary’s Health Care Centre in Trochu. Kendra Kiemele and her son Noel were the hosts and they treated everyone to candy. The cake was just delicious and enjoyed by all. There were 11 birthdays to celebrate and most of them were from second floor — Myrtle Upton, Grace Boyden, Marie Burren, Marie Lorenz, Helen Keenan, Elma Scott, Isaiah Reed and Watson Reed, and Norah Scheurer, Henry Gregg and Dave Mathews from the lodge.
It was interesting to learn that Elma Scott is the lady who used to play in the dance band that was very popular in the 1950 and ’60s when I was dancing up a storm to the music of Tommy Scott’s orchestra from Three Hills.
Another interesting item is that Henry Gregg will be celebrating his 100 birthday on Sunday, July 29, at the Lions campground in Trochu and has invited all his friends to join him.
The hostess for the month of August hasn’t been determined, as the vacancy occurred when the August hostess, Laura Griffith, moved out of the district and relocated to Drumheller.
Give me a call if you could do the month of August.
While I was away, the birthday parties continued every month, with everyone taking their turn in rotation. Thanks to everyone.
Events continued throughout the winter and spring and I missed a lot of them. Everyone enjoyed the spring fling put on by the Rumsey Ag. Society in April, the firemen’s Mother’s Day breakfast in May, Lee and Logan Kiemele’s community shower, wedding and many of the graduations.
Graduates from our area were Karli Gogol, Tyler Hodge, Julie Primrose, Samantha Richmond, Seth Toman,Ty Jarvis, Jana Kiemele, and one of Gordie and Brenda Dietrich’s boys, Joey. Their oldest boy, Scott, graduated two years ago.
Gordie was telling me that he is just home from Calgary hospital, where he had more surgery on his shoulder. Best wishes, Gordie.
After this weekend’s ball tournament, the next large community event is the STARS ride. This year, it’s being held on Sunday, Aug. 12, at the TLBar Ranch on the west side of the Red Deer River at the Tolman bridge crossing. Watch for signs.
Get your horseback riding friends together and come out for a day of fun and supporting of the STARS foundations. Even if you are not a rider, there are lots of other ways to support the day. There will be a STARS booth with volunteer staff from the office in Calgary, a poker rally, a quilt raffle, plus a day of sitting in the shade enjoying the company of friends and neighbours.
After the presentation of awards at about 3 p.m., the country cookers will be serving up a delicious beef supper in the great outdoors. Of course, the day begins with a pancake breakfast cooked by the Rumsey Fire Department, and it’s always really good.
Coming right on the heels of the STARS ride is the 68th annual Rumsey Red Deer River Garden Club show the last Wednesday of August.Again, there will be a supper served at the end of the day.
From all reports, Rowley has sure been a busy place this summer, with something booked for nearly every weekend. This weekend, there was a wedding of folks from out of the area.
Other folks have spent time in hospital, besides me. Stephen Kashuba has been a patient in Red Deer hospital this spring and plans to visit there again this week. Good wishes to you, Stephen.
Congratulations are in order for another graduate. Ashley Hodge has now completed her nurse’s training and has obtained her RN status. She was one of my nurses in Drumheller hospital, where she is on casual for now.
On June 7, Ashley was among more than 400 students at the convocation at the University of Calgary. Ashley now has her nursing degree and also passed her Canadian Registered Nursing exam. Way to go, Ashley.
Folks had a great time over the weekend at the annual Rumsey ball tournament. The 14 teams were from Drumheller, Hanna, Stettler, Trochu and Three Hills. Each team played their hearts out to determine the best ball teams.
Winning the A class were the Blue Jays from Hanna. The B division was won by Camshaft Crushers, also from Hanna, and the C division was won by the Nukes, who beat the Rumsey baseball team by a small margin.
Best wishes to Evelyn Walker of Stettler, who has had to be in Calgary Foothills hospital for surgery and is now back in Stettler to recuperate.
Congratulations to Lenard Schofer of Byemoor, who was married in an outdoor wedding on Saturday, July 21, in the yard on his parents’ farm. John and Carolyn (Steen) are his parents. I understand that all the other festivities were held in Stettler. This is one of the many, many grandsons of Helen Steen from our district.
Congratulations to 15-year-old Daniel McNaughton on his achievements with his dirt bike.
Remember to call me with your news items, now that the Rumsey report is back on the Stettler Independent pages.