The Greenwater Report for August 4, 2003
summer's half over	August 3rd, 2003: August already! The summer’s more than half over! And the summery weather continues. It’s a bit cooler today, overcast, and light winds, but still hardly a drop from the sky. According to what I have written down, we got 2.7 inches of rain during July.
	Rollover images: (Image 1) (Image 2)
drought Gronlid	A week ago last Friday, we went to Silver Stream, north-east of Tisdale, to the Connaught Agricultural Fair, where I was judging art and photography. I was amazed at the number of entries; Judging isn’t as easy as it was a few years ago. Then, many people were using the post-war junk or the newer 126, 100 and disk cameras (Horrible!). Most of the entries could be eliminated because of poor technical quality leaving only a few contenders for the prizes. The modern 35mm point-and-shoot cameras do a good job of exposure and focus, and as long as the user can hold the camera still and level, good quality photos will result. It still takes an eye to make a good image, though, and I like to factor in the trouble the photographer went to, to get the picture. We took the motor home, so after the judging, lunch, and a bit of bingo for Doreen, we wandered off west to Gronlid. There is a neat monument to the railroad there; about ten feet of track complete with ties and crossing signs, in a park-like setting. I believe it is part of Panchyshyn’s yard and that they look after it. After taking some photos, we checked out the town, with its very wide main street. We went to the western-looking Saloon (Moe’s Dew Drop Inn is on the sign, but Blaine tells me it is commonly known as Bear’s Den) for coffee. We had a long conversation with Regan, the young and attractive barmaid, who is an avid photographer. She showed us an album of excellent black-and-white photos (not hers, though) of past Wild West Days. These haven’t been held for a few years, and she is hoping to get them started again this year. We will be watching for ads. A thoroughly pleasant hour!
Melfort	We spent the night in Melfort Campground, then toured their museum Saturday morning. It is an excellent museum, covering several acres. I find the old photos interesting, and they had lots of them, as well as newspaper clippings from long ago.
St. Brieux	Then to St. Brieux, where we toured the museum in the former Rectory, also a good one. I wished it was not the weekend; a stone structure is under construction; likely a grotto, and there are split rocks laid out all over the ground, likely so the stone mason can put his hands on the one he wants. I would love to watch rocks being selected and split, I believe it is an art
Middle Lake	The campground at St. Brieux was full, so we went to Middle Lake. On the east edge of town is a large area prepared like a parking area; huge, flat rocks are stood up around two sides, and painted with life-sized cartoon characters. There are also a number of large wind vanes, some looking like cartoon characters but one was a search-and-rescue helicopter. No signs at all, but it looks as if someone is in the process of building a theme park.
moral	At the Regional Park gate, we were told that all sites were full, but at the concession booth they gave us five numbers to choose from. Moral: don’t ask at the gate, go straight to the people that rent out the sites. We got a nice, level one with power.
beach fun	We walked to the beach after supper. That park is on little Lucien Lake; it is very family-oriented, judging by the huge playground. There are also four good diamonds, driving range, volleyball court, and what might be a batting cage. At the beach, there is a U-shaped dock by the shore, used by little kids to run and dive, and a diving platform out farther. Both toys were loaded with kids running, jumping, diving and squealing, really having a ball. We were impressed. Why is it that Regional parks can have such toys, and not Provincial parks? Someone said it’s because the Regional parks haven’t been sued yet. Sounds like a cop-out to me.
dessert	We stopped at the House of Treasures on our way home, had to have another of their dessert specials to sustain us.
marker 90 years old morse code	At Nobleville, we drove south to the site of the old school and took a photo of the marker that Maurice Lupien made. Bernard Hayunga phoned me last week; he had a birthday recently and one of his gifts was a painting of their house, done by ninety-year-old Stella Boyko. He was particularly impressed with the very fine detail. He says Stella took up painting just a few years ago, and has a real talent for it. She still drives her car, must be a lot younger than her years! Peter Patrick asked me to print up the Morse Code as used on the railways. He also indicated interest on reading a bit about my railroading days in The Greenwater Report, so expect to be bored!
	Doreen & Jerry Crawford Box 100, Chelan, SK S0E 0N0 (306) 278-3423 http://www.greenwaterreport.com/
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