This past weekend Meota was buzzing, snarling and roaring with the sound of the many snowmobiles that converged to take part in the Meota and District Recreation Association's annual snowmobile rally. This year saw the greatest turnout ever for this event with 147 actual riders taking part in an afternoon of adventure as well as numerous ghost tickets bought.
The day started off with registration at the Meota Hotel at 11 a.m. with a rush of registrants waiting to get going. Thanks to numerous volunteers everything was well prepared and flowed smoothly throughout the day. Once the riders had been sent on their way things were pretty quiet until around 3 p.m. when the first ones returned from the ride and then the place was packed to the walls.
Upon returning from the ride there was chilli and a bun supplied to all who took part (again, thanks to all who cooked and donated the chilli). Of course the place was buzzing with conversation as folks caught up on how they fared during the ride or in some cases visited with friends they hadn't seen in a while.
Another great thanks for the day's success goes to all of the businesses and individuals who donated a fantastic number of door prizes for the event. There were very few who took part who did not go home with something from the day besides having had a great time.
The big winners for the day were those who won the draw for the prize money. First prize of $650 went to Fred St. Marie, Kevin Ryhorchuk won second prize of $390 and Ashla Belleperche won $260. The fifty/fifty cash draw was won by Chris Inkster, who took home $275 and, in the raffle for an automotive floor jack, Wally Johnson was the winner.
Many of the riders hung around for some continued fraternizing for the evening with the last hangers-on leaving around 11 p.m. Plans for next year's rally are in the works.
At the same time as the snowmobiles were tearing up the territory, the Do Drop In was hosting a shuffleboard tournament. As in the past, there was a good turnout with some great fun and a lot of visiting going on. The winners for the day were: Anna Tucker and Joyce Antoine taking first place, Ken Tucker and Linda Ard came in second; third place went to Eric Callbeck and Yvette Lessard with Robert Iverson and Josephine Nedelec finishing in fourth place.
That same evening the local Catholic Church ladies got together for a ladies' night out. This started with a catered supper supplied by Pearl Hawkins with an evening of just visiting and playing a few games of cards. There were again a number of door prizes donated that helped to increase the excitement of the evening. All in all it seems the ladies had a great time thanks to the organizers.
Quote: "I have often noticed that when chickens quit quarrelling over their food they usually find that there is enough for all of them. I wonder why the human race, with all of its intelligence, cannot realize that it is the same for us in all things." Don Marquis
