May 19, 2013

May 19, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            Wow, what a ducky weekend. I definitely have to start being careful about my wishes. Yes, we needed some moisture but not to send this part of the province back to swamp land. Now all we need is some gaters and we could have our own reality show; not to say that I know some men who would enjoy this type of recreation. The hummingbirds and orioles are back and we’re busy filling two feeders as well as the seeds for the pine siskins and gold finches. The front deck is like grand central station with all the coming and going.

            We have a lot of volunteer stuff coming up in the garden and it’s normal to see poppies and calendula but onions? Many of our onion sets didn’t grow last year because it was too dry so we worked them under in fall and now the greens are nearly a foot tall. As soon as it dries up, I’ll be out there cutting fresh onion greens. When the rest of the garden goes in will depend on when the rain stops and the wind blows in dry air. The puddles are disappearing fast as we head into Tuesday so the moisture was obviously badly needed but it gets scary when a person hears a loud bang and the power goes off which happened Monday just before supper. Isn’t it funny the reaction a person has to no hydro? I was beginning to get chilly and thought I’d go get a small heater only to realize that if the furnace couldn’t run, plugging in a small heater wouldn’t work either.

4-H celebrations

            Roland will be hosting the 100^th year anniversary celebration of the 4-H club this month. Many children have participated in this club during this time. Rosenfeld used to have a big club which featured carpentry, photography, cooking and sewing. Nowadays parents seem too busy to volunteer in order to keep this going. I used to be a club leader but now feel it should be run by younger folks. That’s not to say being a leader wasn’t fun. One year I taught a group of boys how to cook and the first rule was that they had to taste everything they chose to cook. There were times when this was done with eyes closed and a quick swallow which ended with much laughter.

School news

            The Rosenfeld School has been very busy the past week. Thursday, May 16 they had a visit from the Altona Parkside Grade 8 concert band who stopped on their way to Portage. Dwayne Schott, band instructor, explained that this was to show the Grade 6 Rosenfeld students what instruments were available for them in fall when they start junior high. The concert began with music that built up to a volcano explosion and quietly calmed down. This was followed by Calypso Kid and I’m a Believer. The Jazz Band played three pieces: Chattanooga Choo Choo, Can’t Help Falling in Love which is an Elvis song and Smoke on the Water. What a great way to spend a morning.

            Thomas Wolfe, our grandson, spends many hours in our basement playing records on out stereo and the last while has gotten into my Elvis stash of records. This concert explained why the sudden interest as he plays drums in the jazz band.

            The very next day the students participated in Jump Rope for Heart and the school vibrated with music coming out of the gym. Some of the activities were skipping, jumping hoops and trying the hula-hoop. Rob Fleming, gym teacher, had set up activities centers and the students moved from one center to another after five or 10 minutes.

Condolences

            Friends of ours, Jim and Judith Schellenberg, in Mitchell lost a very dear family member on May 12. Judith’s mother, Janie Winther wife of Kai Winther will be missed by the Schellenberg family.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

May 5

May 5, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            I enjoy a nice chat first thing in the morning so this Tuesday morning was very special. My granddaughter, Amber, called from Germany and we spent the next hour catching up on all the local news. It’s very inexpensive calling overseas from Germany; it would cost us an arm and leg calling from here. We have reversed situations in the world of language, I teach English to German immigrants and she is learning German. It was interesting to learn that once a person has all the paper work done to live in Germany, you are free to travel anywhere in the European Union. Hopping the train or flying to Italy or Turkey is just as common as if we drive or fly to Alberta, BC or Ontario. It gives a whole new perspective about how huge this land of Canada is.

Movie night

            The school gym was filled with families on Friday, May 3 ready to watch a movie and purchase tickets for silent auction items.  Half the floor was covered with mats and soon kids in pajamas carrying blankets and pillows occupied the space. Everyone was offered free popcorn and candy bags were being purchased. After the dolphin movie the auction item tickets were drawn and I’m happy to say I was one of the lucky winners. There were great prizes like lawn chairs, flower pots and hangers, rakes, remote control helicopter, jugs of oil and many gift certificates. Thanks to all the wonderful donations from local businesses. Andrea Friesen, a PTA member, thanked everyone for their  participation and announced that the purchase of new playground equipment will happen in the near future. This movie event brought in a total of $1247.00 which was much appreciated. I would like to thank Parent Council for hosting this fun evening.

Photo contest

All you shutterbugs get out your cameras. Our Portage-Lisgar MP, Candice Bergen has announced a photo contest. The winning photo will be featured on the cover of her Christmas card which will be sent out all over the riding as well as be displayed on her website.  Please go to her website for the rules and how to submit the photos as everyone is allowed three entries. With having snow until the end of April, it makes this contest a bit easier to find the right subject. All entries must be submitted by Aug. 30, 2013.

Gardening

The greenhouse owners must be very happy that the weather has finally turned warmer. My first seedlings of petunias, tomatoes and peppers are blooming and are patiently waiting to be set out in the garden. The big pots of geraniums which were wintered through in the greenhouse sit in the sunshine in front of the garage. Yes, I know I’ll need to pull them in for night but it just makes spring more real to see the flower pots up front. The greenhouse doors are opened wide every morning to let the sun shine on the racks of seedlings and geranium cuttings.

Photo taken by Tina Wolfe

The Wolfe’s had a surprise visit by a log-eared owl last week. It perched on a tree right in front of the living-room window which resulted in real live TV viewing.

May 14

May 14, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            What a gorgeous morning, this Tuesday, May 14. We’ve just had a nice warm shower and it looks greener immediately. It’s hard to believe but even though we had huge snow banks we could use more rain. Many people have put in part of their garden and the farmers are going full speed around here. The push is on to get things growing and I have to restrain myself from planting the annuals but it is a tad early. Jack Frost could still be making a visit and then all is for not. The cannas lilies are in and the big pots will be prepared for plants, the pansies will go in today but the other flowers will have to wait.

            The column will be short this week, I want to go out and play.

Parent council update

            We are waiting on the school division as we've applied to get some money towards the playground from them. We hope to have enough to actually order the structure in June, have it delivered this summer and install it for the next school year. The division has said they would take care of the pea gravel and we need to ask someone about pouring piers for the structure once we know what type of prep is required.

            Our movie night/silent auction went over way beyond our expectations. We were thinking perhaps to make around $5-600 but we cleared almost $1250.00 after expenses. Most of our auction items were donated by our local business owner’s right here in Rosenfeld which was so encouraging to see. There were numerous comments regarding what a good idea the event was, that we should definitely do it again and to call them next time we needed donations. The proceeds are all going towards the play structure.

            Now the PAC is in the process of planning our final event of the year which is the school picnic. I've taken that on and the picnic is scheduled for June 21st.

            We are also purchasing and donating a large juice/water jug to the Good Neighbor Center as a thank-you for allowing us the use of the GNC every year for the school soup and pie fundraiser. This year's supper did better than it has in the last number of years. We raised just over $1000.00 after expenses and the evening was a busy one which is always good to see. The leftovers were donated to Chris and Cheryl Peters in Gretna as they had a bake sale fundraiser the following day to raise funds for their mission trip to the Dominican Republic this summer. Reported by Eva Peters.

Garage sale

            Many communities are having garage sales and I enjoy going for entertainment even if not purchasing much. Some residents in Rosenfeld are also planning a one day sale for Thursday, June 6 which will run from noon – 8:00 pm. If anyone is interested call me and we’ll add your address onto the list. If you don’t have enough for your own maybe get together with the neighbour and pool your stuff. As of now we have four addresses but one is multi-family.

April 30, Rosenfeld News

April 30, 2013 Rosenfeld news by Tina Wolfe

            Who could have imagined the fast melting of those huge snow banks? Just a week ago I had to climb mountains of the white stuff to hang a bit of laundry and today it’s mud out back. The most amazing thing is that there’s not a puddle to be seen, it all soaked into the ground. It must have been very dry. The downside to having this long drawn out spring is the snow mold; big patches of grass will be dead and need to be re-sown. The perennials are peeking out and the tulips are determined to grow even if they’re still covered with snow. More and more birds are making their way north and we’ve been keeping the feeders stocked. The ducks and geese are now able to enjoy the open water; I’m sure they were puzzled by all the ice covering the ponds and creeks.

            Flooding has begun and in some cases it comes across land which catches residents by surprise. Many roads have water running over them so be careful and diligent. The drive to work may be dry but the return trip may already have a detour.

Community bulletin

            Rosenfeld residents received the spring bulletin last week which contains some interesting bits of information. One of my pet peeves is the cat situation and I must give the councilors kudos for article #16 which reads as the following: stray cats roaming our community leaving their “cat deposits” all over our properties are definitely on an increase this spring. Common courtesy would tell us that each resident needs to keep their pet cat/s on their own property. A humane way of removing stray cats would be to acquire a live trap and connect with a family looking for a pet. If we all do our part our yards will remain a safe place for our children to enjoy. I say amen to that.

            The bulletin also reminds all residents that the Annual Spring Clean-up Day will take place on Saturday, June 2 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. No hazardous waste materials please.

School update

            A movie night will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, May 3 in the school gym. Admission is by donation and a silent auction will also be held. The evening will be hosted by the local parent council.

            Junior Kindergarten is being held for all pre-kindergarten students. This is open to all pre-kindergarten children even if you may be thinking of home schooling. The classes are held every other morning: May 2, 6, 8, 10, 14 and 16 etc. One week it’s Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The next week it’s Tuesday and Thursday.

            A Spring Concert will be held on Friday, June 7 at 2:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Birthday greetings

            A huge birthday hug goes out to Kay Lang former Rosenfeld resident who now resides at Eastview Place in Altona. Her three daughters, Gail, Wendi, Debby and their families threw a party for her on April, 27 when Kay turned 94 years young. I wish her many more spunky years.

April 22 Rosenfeld News

April 22 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The snow is slowly receding and we can finally see dirt. Who knew that this would bring such a feeling of relief?  My tomato plants in the basement have buds and if the temperatures really do reach +15 this weekend, the plants will be moved to the greenhouse. Even though they have been transplanted they will need bigger pots before the garden soil will be warm enough to set outside. Much of the yard still has 2 – 3 feet of snow but the patio and deck have been cleared and are patiently waiting for chairs.

Footloose

            Last week was a very busy week at W. C. Miller Collegiate as they presented the musical Footloose. The story line is about a kid who moves from the city to a small rural community. It tells about the differences and the difficulties faced by the teenage son in the family. Include a small town girl in the picture and you’re bound to have trouble. Mostly it’s an age-old situation about how teenagers want to change the world they live in.

            The show ran from Wednesday, Apr. 17 – Saturday, Apr. 20 and was sold out every evening. During intermission the audience was offered the purchase of a sundae which many enjoyed. The music was a live band and was absolutely outstanding. The seating set-up was awesome and no one had to strain to watch the show or take photos. Bravo to all the cast and crew for a job well done.

Soup and pie

            The Rosenfeld Parent Council held their annual soup and pie fundraiser on Thursday, Apr. 18. The tables set up at the Rosenfeld Center were surrounded by people enjoying the food and conversation. Noodle soup, somma borscht and cabbage borscht; add fresh homemade buns and how can you go wrong. The pie and coffee topped the yummy meter to an all time high.

Maroons playoffs

            The Altona Maroons headed out to Portage on Thursday, Apr.18 for the first game in the provincial senior men’s playoffs. They beat the Red River Wild team 8 – 1. Then they headed to Winnipeg to play the rest of the tournament taking on the Neepawa Farmers on Saturday, Apr. 20 winning 5 – 0. Sunday’s game proved to be a bit of a challenge with penalties but the guys put on the coals and won the Souris Elks 9 – 3. This was the first time a Provincial Male Senior A tournament was held and the Altona Maroons are proud to be able to hang the pennant at the Altona arena.

            Some of the Rosenfeld fans who attended the games were the Ron Smith family and of course Russ and Gladys Klassen. Angus Klassen wore #10 for the Altona Maroons. Congratulations to the guys for bringing the pennant to Altona.

Two beautiful Rosenfeld girls, Ashton Cornelson and Gabby Wolfe, showed off their dancing attire and kicked up their heels on the set of the musical, Footloose, which was held at the Miller Collegiate.