MAYFAIR — It was great to have a few refreshing shots of rain last week. Even a taste of thundershowers brought some precipitation to the dry countryside. It won’t be as dusty travelling on the grid and back rural roads for a short while.
Sincere sympathy to the Marie Balazsi family of Rabbit Lake; Marie recently passed away. She leaves to mourn her husband John, two sons Terry and Clinton and their families. Their farmyard always had a showcase of beautiful flowers and vegetables and Marie’s inside hobby was quilting. She was a “master quilter,” willing to share and give many tips to all who were interested.
A well-deserved retirement to Bev Thomas of Mayfair after driving first the Mayfair school bus route, then, after 2004, when Mayfair School closed, the southern Spiritwood route. She started in 1987 so to 2024 totals 37 years of picking up rural kids and dropping them safely back home. She, at times, also was employed at a few Spiritwood businesses during the school hours. After school hours, bus drivers were in demand for driving students to extracurricular sports activities so Bev would put in extra time to do this. Adding to the list are field trips for different classes and not to forget track and field in the spring.
Bev was also an actress on stage with Old Mill Players, a Mayfair live theatrical group for many years.
She always has a smile on her face, all of the time. She will be thoroughly missed as a very cautious fun-loving bus driver. A well-deserved retirement and may you get to sleep in, especially on -30-degree winter days, not having to worry if the bus will start at 6:30 a.m.
Beb and her husband Morris Thomas celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this past summer with their three children, Ed, Leann and Connie (all of Saskatoon) with families and friends. Since Bev has retired from bus driving, may both of you enjoy your much-needed retirements.
Fun times are happening in Spiritwood this coming long weekend. Six pavilions will be scattered throughout the town offering great food, beverages, dancers and live music when obtaining a reasonably priced $10 wristband available at any pavilion. Aug. 30 hours are 4-10 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 31 noon till 6 p.m. with kids 10 and under free. Pavilions on site are Scotland, Filipino, Latin American, Norwegian, First Nations and Irish. A great time is always had by all who have attended in the past.
Eagle Creek Regional Park in the Asquith area will be hosting another music jamboree Sept. 6-8. Great talent will be on the outdoor stage with most groups who entertain at many other jamborees throughout the summer months. Again a very affordable weekend with concession on site, camping, 50/50 draws, etc. Please call 306-329-4478 for more information.
If a person wants to become good at something, many hours of training, studying and practising are in order. To participate in marathons, one has to be in tip-top shape including cardio, strength (weightlifting) and putting a lot of carbohydrates into the diet.
Local 23-year-old Jaden Bailey from Sonningdale is really enjoying the challenges this sport brings, including many new friends (other runners) in the past two and a half years. Attending a nearby school in Maymont, this young lad excelled in track and field and cross-country running, seriously getting interested during his first “Fun Run” sponsored by Mental Health in 2022.
His accomplishments include the following (not necessarily in proper order): full and half marathons in Saskatoon, and a 50-kilometre Ultra Trail Run in Sask. Landing Provincial Park near Swift Current, Prince Albert 10-kilometre race; half-marathon in Edmonton; Lloydminster Titanium half-marathon; BMO full marathon in Vancouver, B.C. He has achieved his personal best in many and also cheers on others who might place better than himself.
At times injuries occur but Jaden takes this all in stride. One event is coming up Sept. 15 but with injury, he might not be ready. He tries to practise on Wednesday evenings in Saskatoon, meeting up with his buddies to do an eight-kilometre run.
Jaden works full-time at the Maymont grain terminal and lives on a mixed-family farm near Sonningdale, also keeping busy on the farm. This hard-working determined young man is very happy he became involved in this sport. The highest entry fee was $300 to enter a marathon so this isn’t a “cheap” sport as one travels a distance, paying for accommodation and food. All are costly. Way to go, Jaden Bailey, a true inspiration to all!
Jaden is excited to see his friend Andrew Gee from Saskatoon has qualified for the 2025 Boston Marathon. Many runners, as Jaden has stated, have endured prairie winter runs, early morning and late ones, wanting to keep in shape. The comradery amongst many participants leads to a lifetime of true friendship.
