Feb. 17 2013

February 17 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

Goodness me! What a horrible feeling when the computer begins to make beeping sounds and then the frame freezes. I had been having signs of trouble the first thing Sunday morning so I quickly began saving pictures but I didn’t get them all onto CD’s. All I can do now is hope and pray that the fix-it guy can save them from the hard drive. I’m not worried about any of the programs only the pictures. The similar situation arose four years ago and then all my information and photos could be saved. I really hope he can perform this miracle again because that’s what it would mean to me. Those grandchildren pictures are priceless.

Dave has graciously allowed me to write the column on his laptop but only after I promised not to change any setting. And I asked, “Who, me?”

Hockey update

The Miller Aces played their last playoff game on Wednesday, Feb. 13. They were back in Morden and working hard to keep their 1 – 0 lead until the last two minutes of the game when they were handed a penalty and Morden scored tieing the game. In overtime the Aces were given a four minute penalty and Morden capitalized on the opportunity and ended the game 2 – 1.  Better luck next year, guys.

The Altona Bantam Maroons began their playoff series on Monday, Feb.18 in Notre Dame.

The Winkler Flyers played the Steinbach Pistons on Tuesday, Feb. 12 and came up short 5 -4. They played again on Friday, Feb. 15 and this time they were not to be outdone. The Flyers won 4 – 3. Next the team takes on the Portage Terriers.

School update

The Altona and area Resource Center is running two programs at the Rosenfeld School. Both of them take place on Tuesdays but Stay and Play takes place mornings from 9:30 – 11:30 and I am the facilitator with Neta Penner as my assistant. The other takes place after school from 3:40 – 4:45 with Adina Schellenberg as facilitator. If interested in either program please call our wonderful secretary, Gladys Klassen, at the school for more information.

The Boys and Girls Club meets every other Thursday at the school from 7 – 8:30 pm. Brian and Roxanne Friesen are coordinating this fun evening.

Annual meeting

The Rosenfeld Good Neighbour Center committee held their annual meeting Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 pm. A dozen residents attended the meeting. Herman Kuhl, chairperson, welcomed everyone and read last year’s minutes. Secretary/treasurer, Carol Schroeder, read last year’s annual report and finances.

 After both reports had been accepted and passed, Herman read the 2012 report. The coffee shop has been busy with the men meeting every morning and ladies on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The center rentals totaled 35 with 33 family rentals and 2 by a Home School group. A youth group uses the center as a Drop-in Center every Thursday from 7:00 – 9:00. 

The small room which was used as a playroom in the past has been renovated and is now used by the Sanitation Committee and the Good Neighbour Center Committee for their office. The other room previously used as an office is now part of the rental space if needed.  The storage shed has been offered to the Borderland School Division for sale or lease. The center has no use for it for storage.

The Winter Carnival will take place on Saturday, Mar. 2. And the other annual event, the Fall Supper will again take place this year.

Thank you to all the committee members: Carol Schroeder, Tim Cornelson, Frank Braun, Anne Winter, David Dyck and Herman Kuhl. Mike Wolfe has resigned his position and Warren Schroeder was elected to fill his spot.

February 11 2013

February 11, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            This new feeling of complete relaxation and contentment is almost overwhelming. I completed a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle on Monday and as I’m putting in the last few pieces, I experienced a light bulb moment. For me the winter was over. It was as though the last piece represented the end of winter Maybe because I placed the seed order last week? Now I have to hurry and finish the corduroy piece camping blanket which I started before Christmas. When the seeds arrive the peppers need to be started immediately and the tomatoes soon after which are followed by petunias. The impatiens will be purchased at Costco this year; they’re more difficult to start and the seed is getting quite costly. So no matter how much it snows and blows, my mind is focused on spring.

Hockey update

            What a weekend of hockey in southern Manitoba. The Altona Maroon Bantams played three games. Friday night, Feb. 8 they took on the Macgregor/Gladstone team and the evening ended in a tie, 3 - 3. All the negative rumours we had heard about this team were true and it was a very rough game. The Altona team had two players, Simon Schroeder and Thomas Wolfe, out with concussions and before the game was over Alex Damphousse was pulled due to a previous injury. Then Saturday, Feb.9 the team played Carman. This was a much better game to watch and Thomas and Simon were back on the ice but Alex was still not playing so they pulled Colton Harder from the peewees. Altona won 3 – 1.  Manitou/Somerset has a team very evenly match to the Altona team and it showed after no scoring in the first period played Sunday. It was an extremely exciting game with a score of 2 – 1 for Altona. The regular season is done and now the playoffs begin.

            The Miller Aces have started their playoffs and also played on Friday night.  Some parents and grandparents tried to watch both games. When the bantam game was done in Gretna they rushed over to Altona to catch the last half of the Aces game and it was well worth it. The Aces trounced the visiting Portage Trojans 3 – 1. Tuesday, Feb. 11 the Miller Aces played Morden and lost 5 – 2. Better luck on the next game.

            The Winkler Flyers were looking for another win but came up short on Feb. 8 when the Winnipeg Blues out shot and outscored them 4 – 1. This is also their playoff series.

Community update

            The Winter Carnival will be held on Saturday, Mar.2. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the day’s activities and free food.

            An exercise program will be offered at the Rosenfeld Center which will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Tracy Penner of Plum Coulee will be teaching the Tyson Method boot camp Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 – 10;30. The cost is $131.25 for 12 classes and online workouts. Please call Tracy at 204 – 829 – 2306 to register.

            I’ve noticed that this program shows results in a very short time but I don’t know if I have the energy or stamina to participate.

Read – a- thon

            The students are busy reading this month and the theme is connected to the game of Clue. These are the questions posted on the board for the clues to the game; where are they reading, what are they reading, who is reading and to whom are they reading?

            This week is Valentine’s Day and many dozen roses and chocolates are purchased. I personally prefer a live plant which then can be planted in the flower beds in spring. As to the chocolate, well, that is not a good idea at this time of the year. I’ve packed on enough insulation this winter without adding extra calories. Just take me out for soup and salad, thank you. I hope that everyone enjoyed their day and shared a smile or two.

February 7

February 2, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            It’s hard to believe that Ground Day has come and gone and no matter what the prediction was the days are definitely getting longer. The temperatures have been the topic of discussion for the month of January and will most likely go on into February but I’m absolutely loving this winter. I have discovered the art of goofing off which had disappeared somewhere in my busy life. On these cold blustery days, I savour my cup of coffee every morning, first sniffing it like a good glass of wine, rolling it around in my mouth before swallowing it, taking the time to really enjoy every second. Manitobans are hardy souls and we know that spring will come and days will be filled with gardening and camping. Take the time to sit in the sunshine behind the window, go for a short walk and then hurry back inside for a cup of hot chocolate. Call a friend and have a laugh or two, visit someone in the hospital; life is short so enjoy it no matter what the weather.

School update

            February is I Love to Read Month and this year it began the last week in January. The first guest reader at the Rosenfeld School was Amy Penner. Amy was an EA in training and has completed her practicum. This was a nice way to say her goodbye to all the students.

            February is also Wacky Wednesday month and February 6 is pajama/bedhead day. The students and staff are allowed to come to school wearing pajamas and slippers.

Hockey update

            The Altona Maroons Bantams travelled to Portage La Prairie last weekend for two games. Saturday Feb. 1 they lost 5 – 3 but came back on Sunday, Feb. 2 with a win 5 -4. From all reports this had been quite a hard hitting rough two games. A person doesn’t want to blame the ref but because these are kids he has to take responsibility for letting the game get out of hand.

            The Miller Aces have been working hard and moved up to fifth spot with 12 wins and seven losses. Good luck on your next game, let’s see you make the playoffs.

            The Winkler Flyers had a rough start this season but proved February 1 that they had what it takes to win when they played the Steinbach Pistons and won 4 – 1. Then Sunday they won 3 – 1 against the Virden Oil Capitals putting them in a playoff spot at this point. Rosenfeld’s Brett Klassen is a rookie and is enjoying his season playing for the Flyers.

Mexico trip

            I missed submitting a column last week due to the fact that we flew to Mexico on January 24. The flight was half hour late with take-off; the de-icing process seemed to go on forever. We landed in San Jose, Baja California shortly after lunch to nice balmy weather. San Jose is known for its art district and tourists can visit nearly 20 studios in a three block area. We enjoyed the glass blowing factory the most. The city is constructed around a huge plaza which has many shops and food cantinas. Every Saturday they hold an organic market which is a quarter mile walk into a jungle clearing. Art and food venders are row on row and in the middle they feature musical entertainment. It’s very similar to our festivals. The children of all the hippies who moved down there in the ‘70’s have reinvented themselves into the organic food industry which is doing very well. The settlement San Jose del Cabo started in 1730 with the Anuiti Mission by Jesuit missionary Nicolas Tamaral; the building is still standing today.

            The weather was warmer than Manitoba but the last three days were cloudy and the nights got quite chilly; down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This meant most everyone showed up for breakfast in jeans and sweaters. For those who hadn’t come prepared, the poncho venders had great sales. The food as always was great. I can’t get enough of the Mexican chicken. Somehow it just tastes better than Canadian chicken. Dave says it’s because they feed corn.

            However much I enjoyed the vacation I was ready to fly home on January 31. This time one week was enough and even though San Jose is a nice place, we have been to friendlier spots. But now if anyone asks, ‘Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” we can say yes. For those who are interested, this was a hit song written for Dionne Warwick by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) in 1968.

Since our grandson, Thomas, has announce that he wants a career as a chef, Grandma Tina decided to impress him by having her picture taken with Chef Raul at the Barceló Resort in San Jose.

January 20

January 20, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            As I started my column Sunday morning the sun dogs are bright and beautiful. It has finally stopped drifting and it seems that we are clearing snow every day. No wonder the province had those turbines erected in this southern corridor. It must be the windiest spot in Manitoba.

            Monday morning arrived and Border Land School Division was one of the divisions which announced no classes would be held due to the frigid cold. Anyone who still claims we’re having global warming must be smoking wacky-tobacky. And to make an even funnier statement: Toronto issued an extreme cold warning; they were having -9. I was watching Global News and when this report was read, everyone in the studio burst out laughing.

Life on the Farm

            Dave and I have been living on the junge Wolfe’s farm for the past two weeks while they flew to Germany with Amber. Amber has begun her year as au-pair with a family in Bremen which is in northern Germany. We thought it easier to stay at the farm with the other two grandkids and their dog than to move everything to our house. Besides, Tom plays drums and I have no idea where we’d put them in our house. It’s been very interesting living with two teenagers and for the most part calm and quiet other than the one stormy weekend. We had major power surges and blew three power bars; one in the house and two in Mike’s office. The breakers were popping constantly and when the computer power bar gave a loud bang and began to smoke it was actually quite frightening. Thank goodness we were not without power for very long, Manitoba Hydro staff did a good job.

Amber Wolfe’s Journal

            Bremen, Germany has a lot of character.  Many of the offices and apartments are old buildings that have been redone on the inside, and so it makes for some really unique and old-style architecture.  Some of the old churches and buildings downtown are over 1000 years old, and walking downtown through the farmers market or listening to the accordion-playing buskers at the street corners makes you feel like you really have entered another world.  However, German life is also very different.  People park their cars on what looks to be the sidewalk and they eat their hot meal of the day at lunch.  There's is also the obvious language difference (which I hope to resolve in time), however, most of the music on the radio is English and many of the young people also speak it quite well.

            My parents leave to go back to Canada tomorrow, Jan. 22, and I can't believe that it has already been two weeks!  It seems like just yesterday that all three of us arrived here in Bremen; in fact, I still can't believe that I am actually in Germany. The Kautz family has been very welcoming and hospitable, and their two boys are very cute and full of energy. I think that I am really going to enjoy my time here, and although I will definitely miss my family and friends, I am excited to see where this adventure takes me and to find out what God has in store for me here.

Hockey update

            There hasn’t been much activity with the Altona Maroons bantam team other than practices. The Miller Aces are having a rocky season. Grampa spent quality time with Gabby and took her to one of the Aces games on Friday, Jan.18. The Aces lost to Morden 3 – 1 but both fans reported that it had been a good game. Rosenfeld is represented on the team by Zach Schroeder and Matthew Winter.