Oct.14 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

October 14, 2012 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            I’m happy to report that this area is finally receiving some well needed moisture. I realize that some farmers are still out on the field but we desperately need some rain. I’m totally done with any transplanting and it is a good time to plant bulbs but maybe next year. This area did not receive much snow when that storm passed through and the power only blinked a couple of times so we have nothing to complain about weather wise. It’s always good to hear that neighbourliness is alive and well when disaster hits.

Baby boom

            It’s been difficult to keep up with the baby boom that has hit this area but I’m trying. There are three more to add to the ones I’ve previously reported this summer.

            A baby girl was born to Toby and Candice Wiens on May 25. Londyn May weighed in at 7.5 lb and will be well looked after by her two older sisters. Maternal grandparents are Ed and Anne Janzen of Elie and paternal grandparents are Richard and Myrna Wiens of La Salle.

            Chris and Whitney Janz are happy to announce their first born, Lincoln Theodore. This little guy made his arrival on August 7 weighing in at 8 lb 8 oz.  Maternal grandparents Harv and Carla Schroeder reside in Altona and paternal grandparents Henry and Elaine Janz live in Rosenfeld.

            Another boy made his debut on August 18. Bryan Zacharias a big boy at 9 lb was born to Elma and Ruben Zacharias and he is lucky to have one sister and two brothers as playmates. Maternal grandparents are David and Helena Sawatzky of Rosenfeld and paternal grandparents are Jacob and Margaretha Zacharias of Mexico.

            Big congratulations go out to all the families. The families are welcome to come to Play and Stay on Tuesday mornings at school and show off these new family members who will be future students.

Building boom

            What better to go with a baby boom but a building boom? M3 Properties, a development company owned by Martin Friesen purchased the land at the southeast corner at the #14 from the Nickel Corporation a number of years ago. Due to a few unforeseen hiccups the development was postponed until the fall of this year. Friesen reports that if the first phase is any indication, the lots will be snapped up in record breaking time. The first phase is 10 lots and has been serviced with sewer and water and they hope to have the road completed this fall, weather permitting. Border Real Estate has sold six lots to date and expect to be sold out by spring.

            The second phase which is 12 lots will take place next fall when the harvest has been done and the third phase will follow. The entire development will be 34 lots. Nickel Corporation will still be seeding the land until further development takes place.

            Some of the prep work had taken place in the previous years such as driveways, one at the east side of The Villa and another with asphalt turning lanes on PR#332.

Skating rink update

            With the baby boom and the development project comes an expansion at the local rink site. The Rosenfeld and area Skating Rink Committee purchased a Zamboni last year from the Gretna Rink. The current storage garage is a very tight fit so an addition which will be 24’ by 24’ is taking place onto the existing building. Volunteers have been busy for the past few weeks; first building forms and packing gravel and then the pouring of concrete for heated floor for the parking space. This took place on Saturday, Oct. 13 and it was a beautiful day. All labour has been volunteer and if there’s anyone out there who can wield a hammer, they are welcome to come when the building phase begins. The inside of the current rink building will also be renovated with the removal of the wall between the dressing rooms allowing for more seating and open space. Please call Warren Schroeder at 324-5271 or Sean Winter at 324-5206.

            Schroeder reports that 2400 skaters made use of the rink last season and this does not include the school student’s usage. There were also three or four out of town hockey teams who came out to practice much in part due to our mild winter.

            The committee has received a $6000 grant from the Community Services Foundation, Canadian Lumber in Altona donated the forms and rebar for the floor, Lavallee Trucking of St Jean donated two loads of gravel, and monies from private donations are making this project doable. The Committee will be working a bingo in Winnipeg in the near future which will raise another $3000. This expansion is taking place only through the commitment by the community at large.

            The committee members are; Sean Winter, Jake Heppner, Brenda Wiebe and Warren Schroeder. The list of volunteers to date are; Warren Schroeder, Sean Winter, Jake Wall, Rich Dueck, Mike Wolfe, Kevin Nickel, Tim Cornelson and Ron Schellenberg. I was informed that there have also been some teenagers putting in some sweat equity and will get those names in the next update.

Church news

            The St. John Lutheran Church in Rosenfeld and the Morris Lutheran Church congregations held an installation service on Sunday, Oct.14 in Morris. The members welcomed Leslie Poulin into their churches. She is formerly of Brunkild and currently resides in Morris. The Rosenfeld Church will have services every Sunday with alternating times; 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Let the bells ring.

School news

            Kids At Play by the Grade 3 class. On September 12, the grades 3-5 students went to Kids at Play at the Altona Park. We did many fun activities. We went to a Magic Show. The magician had a snake and two raccoons. He made them look real but they weren’t. He did a trick where he yanked a rope through his waist. We think the rope was magnetic or that he used two ropes. He also had an invisible red ball but we know it was a trick. We did gymnastics. We did forward rolls, cartwheels, round offs, and the cat hop. At the Target games we tried to get some beanbags in a net, and some horseshoes on a peg. We also played Bocce ball On the playground we played with the new equipment like the merry-go-round, the spinning mushroom and the leaf pole. Some of us played firefighters on the merry-go-round. We played mini-golf. The golf teachers were named Dumbo and Mr. Rocky and they were so funny. They had rocky golf, party golf, and castle golf and some others. At Stretch yoga we stretched a colorful ball that could get really big and tiny. There were beautiful carpets that looked like they were from China or Japan. We tried a lot of exciting activities at Kids at Play.

            Terry Fox by Bertha Zacharias. Terry Fox was a hero. He liked to play sports. Terry got cancer. His leg was amputated. Terry loved to run. His dream was to run across Canada. He wanted to help cure cancer. Terry Fox ran as far as Thunder Bay, Ontario. Then his cancer came back, so he stopped. He died in 1981.

            This year our students raised $78.04 for Cancer Research Reprinted from the school newsletter with permission.

            There will be no classes on Friday, Oct. 19 – the staff will be involved in a professional development day, S.A. G.E.

 M3 Properties owner, Martin Friesen, spent some time on Oct. 13 at the building boom site in Rosenfeld. Six of the 10 lots have been sold.

The local skating rink site isn’t usually busy at this time of year but an expansion is taking place and the committee with the help of volunteers soon had the concrete nice and smooth. Volunteers – Jake Heppner, Rich Dueck, Kevin Nickel, Tim Cornelson and working the board was Jake Wall. Missing from the picture – Mike Wolfe, Warren Schroeder and Ron Schellenberg.

Oct. 1 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

It’s great living in a small town. When a person goes for a bike ride it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour with only 10 minutes spent actually riding. The evenings have just been beautiful with outstanding sunsets and many families are out walking which of course leads to chatting. Last Saturday most of the trees were still full of leaves and then along came the wind on Sunday and we had a storm of leaves flying by our windows. I’ve decided not to rake this year and let the wind play until the snow covers everything. The ground is so very dry and if we don’t have cover we will definitely have a lot for dead plants due to frost.

            We’ve come to the end of our fresh garden produce. The last honeydew and cantaloupe have been cut and we’re savouring every bite knowing that we will need to wait through another two seasons for this sweetness. We were given a watermelon by Carol Schroeder which was not the biggest one ever grown but was absolutely filled with sugar. Gardening is a lot of work but is definitely well worth the labour.

Fall cleanup

            The last Saturday in September is the day when the Rosenfeld residents are allowed and encouraged to carry most any unwanted stuff to the curb. This, of course, doesn’t include hazardous material but most anything else. When out bike riding one night, I noticed something which made me do one of those tourist double takes. I turned around and went back for a second look. On the curb were two old galvanized tubs and a couple of big soup pots. The only hitch was that they were full of small concrete pieces so I couldn’t make away with them. I called the lady of the house and asked if she meant for the pots and tubs to go in the fall cleanup and when the answer was yes, I knew I had to come up with a plan. The very next day I went scrounging out back at home and found four big paint pails and soon had swapped them for my new found treasures. Dave thinks I have enough old items on the yard so I dug holes under the trees where nothing grows, sank the tubs and pots into the holes and filled them with dirt. Next spring I will have flowers in the driest spots on the yard and the tree roots will not be able to get at the plants.

            Thanks again to Ed and Judy Friesen for the hard physical work they put into picking up all the unwanted stuff.

Hockey update

            A while back I wrote about Brett Klassen being picked up by the Dauphin Kings hockey team. Well, lucky for us he’s been traded to the Winkler Flyers which makes attending his games a more doable event. We wish him well no matter where he plays. If the NHL stays out of play all hockey fans will be looking for local games to watch.

Skating rink update

            It’s only October first but the skating rink lights are on many evenings. Warren Schroeder reports that a new addition is being built to accommodate the Zamboni. Materials and gravel have been delivered to the site and a concrete floor will be poured in the near future. I will keep everyone informed as progress is made.

Entertainment in school

            Tuesday, September 25 and the students were in for a morning of fun and entertainment. Greg Wood, an illusionist, and his wife, as his assistant, kept the kids attention riveted on the tricks or slight of hands as Greg called it. Scarves disappeared and reappeared tied together. Children were eager to assist in the entertainment whether that involved holding cards or tying rubber bands. Elijah Wiebe made numerous attempts to tie the rubber band but didn’t succeed until his teacher came to help. This was a lesson on how to ask an adult to assist in bullying situations. The students volunteered for a skit entitled How Cool Kids Act. They learned that cool kids don’t taunt, don’t tell stories about someone, they care about people and involve all kids in playing. They also learned how to be a HERO where the H stands for helpful, the E for encouraging, the R for respectful and the O for being outspoken when seeing bullying occur. Greg gave some personal examples of how he had been bullied and how he had gone on to be a bully. This brought insight to the students as to the hurtfulness of actions and words. It was a great way to begin the day and it was enjoyed by students and staff alike.

Sept. 22 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

If the birds took advantage of the wind the past week, it would have taken them south, no problem. My broom corn display has spent more time on its side than standing up in the big vases. But the leaves, well that’s the good thing about wind. The leaves get to go on a trip which makes for less work. Last Saturday morning we experienced our first serious frost with -3.This has definitely increased the colours from green to yellows, oranges and reds. I’ve biking around and taking pictures but it’s hard to capture the real thing. My greenhouse is packed full of flowers that I want to over winter: geraniums, potato vines, dusty miller, a black petunia and ice plants. I’m already planning next year’s flower boxes. I’ve been covering the fall display every night so I haven’t lost any pumpkins or gourds yet. All the flower bed ornaments have been put away for another year; just the swing needs packing away and then on to the Christmas decorations.

Get well wishes

            Herman and Helen Kuhl made a trip into Winnipeg last weekend to visit a former Rosenfelder. Margery (Schellenberg) Friesen recently had knee surgery and was slowly recuperating. She appreciated the visit from her past neighbours. The community wishes her a speedy recovery.

Birthday wishes

            The driveway was lined with vehicles at the home of Percy and Gail Shimonek’s on Saturday, Sept. 22. The guests arrived with salads, gifts and cards for the celebration of Percy’s 65th birthday. It was a cool evening but a huge fire pit was piled high with logs and the garage provided inside seating for many. The supper was outstanding featuring pork loin, perogies, chili, salads and snacking items. A huge birthday cake was brought out and after an enthusiastic rendition of Happy Birthday, Percy cut the cake and everyone was served. It was a great evening and a reminder of all the good times we’ve had with them over the years. May you have many more birthdays Percy.

Correction

            Last week I wrote a blurb concerning the new development taking place in Rosenfeld. I called it MP Development but it should have read M3 Properties. I’m really glad that my brother doesn’t get to read the Carillon; I’d never live this down. My brother Martin Friesen owns this firm, lives in Vancouver half the year and the rest in Altona. When he comes out in October I’ll do an update on how many lots have been sold.

Facebook

            How many of the readers are on Facebook? I have been but removed myself after I began to receive e-mails from total strangers. I can’t believe all the information people put out there for everyone to see especially the photos. People drive around taking pictures and then upload them onto the internet. I’m trying not to get paranoid about this but a person doesn’t know anymore if the car driving by is snapping pictures or not; and it sure is easy with the cell phones nowadays. Where are the privacy laws?

Census Stats

            The RM of Rhineland sent out a newsletter with census update for 2011. The population has increased by 248 in the last five years and the curious thing is that there are 87 more males than females. The population under 30 years old is 2,395; between 30 – 60 the number goes down to 1,595 and over 60 the number really dives to 383. The report goes on to state that the average age of a Rhineland resident is 24.9 years old. As the numbers show there definitely will be a need for infrastructure like schools in the future and will there be enough jobs?

Bragging rights

Last week my column contained a story about my niece, Katherena Vermette, who had recently had her first book published and made the top five selling list at McNally Robinson for the week of September 9. It continues to stay in the top five and she is busy doing readings in Winnipeg and is scheduled for one in Kenora.

Sept. 17 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

Monday, Sept. 17 began a dull dreary day perfect for inside chores. Then early afternoon the sun came out and dried what little moisture we had received. I had hoped that I had run the hose for the last time last week but more rain is in the forecast and that is a good thing. The perennial beds received a topping of wood chips last week to conserve any moisture so the plants will grow in spring. Right now the ground has big, monster cracks and really could use a week of soft rain.

            The end of the gardening season has definitely come. I tried to store a few tomatoes but had to freeze them, they just weren’t staying fresh. A small pail of apples and a few melons is all that’s left for fresh eating. Mike and Anna gave us a beautiful, big watermelon from their garden and I must say that it is the sweetest one we’ve eaten all summer. The long hot summer was good for the melon and pumpkin crop. I have a feeling that there will be a lot of Jack-O-Lanterns out this year.

School news

            The Back to School barbeque was held Thursday, Sept. 13 and was very well attended. The Main Street was lined with vehicles with the overflow parked on the truck parking lot on the west side of the street. Many stayed to chat while the kids played on the playground. Thanks to parent council and staff for the great evening.

            Rob Fleming, the physed instructor, has started up the student running club. It will take place morning recess 10:35 – 10 55, Tuesdays and Thursdays for five weeks. Runners who attend the first nine runs are invited to take part in the fun run – the tenth run. He encourages ongoing participation once the students have signed up.

            No sooner has school started and the entertainment begins. Greg Wood of Morden, a magician, will be at the school on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 9:00 a.m.

            The students and staff will again hold a Terry Fox Run on Thursday, Sept.27 at 2:35 p.m. Anyone interested is invited to run with their children.

Fall supper update

            There will be no Fall Supper in Rosenfeld this year due to unforeseen circumstances. The organizers plan to keep up the annual supper for next year.

New author

            Our niece, Katherena Vermette was thrilled with the turnout for her reading of her recently published paperback book of poetry entitled North End Love Songs. A reading and book signing launch was held at McNally Robinson on Wednesday, Sept.12. The place was packed and extra chairs needed to be set up. Kate told the crowd that “it’s about growing up in Winnipeg’s North End, being a girl, the weird world and all the crazy things that happen to us.” The paperback hit the top five bestsellers fiction list at the store for the week of September 9. Congratulations, Kate, we’re very proud of your accomplishment.

Rosenfeld News Sept. 12 by Tina Wolfe

Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The gardening for this year is done and if you could see my face, you’d see a huge smile. I’m taking a holiday for the whole month of September. That doesn’t mean I won’t have anything to do but it will be projects which I chose while I’m having my morning coffee.  The first task chosen was downsizing my clothes closet; a big garbage bag was filled within a short time and taken to the MCC. Adult clothes are not great sellers at a garage sale so it’s pointless to keep till next spring when we plan to have one. The next closet tackled was my fabric stash and crafts supply. I’m planning to move my sewing room down stairs which entailed getting the grandkids to go through all the stuff they’ve played with over the years. This produced two garbage bags one of which will be kept for spring and the other to go to the MCC. Watching the grandkids decide what to keep was very interesting.

School news

            The tally for the Rosenfeld School enrollment is in which sits at 105 and the number is down a bit from last year. There have been some staff changes and this is the update for the new year. Kindergarten – Karen (Enting) Banman who is not new but got married during the summer and has a name change. We would like to extend congratulations to her. Yvette Froese stayed with the Grade One class as well as Jackie Harms with the Grade 2 students. Barb Rempel and Lauren McPhail are sharing the Grade 3 class. Jennifer Klippenstein has taken full time with the Grade 4’s and Denise Wolgemut and Jackie Nickel are sharing the Grade 5 class. Kathy Schroeder stayed in her Grade 6 room, Jason Pilkington kept his position as principal and Rob Fleming as gym instructor. EA’s are Terry Braun, Kathy Thiessen and Nettie Wall and rounding off the school staff are Warren Schroeder as custodian and coordinating the whole she-bang is secretary, Gladys Klassen. We’d like to welcome them back and wish them all a great year.

            The month started busy with picture day on Monday, Sept. 10 and the Grades 3-5 had a Kids at Play in the Park day in Altona on Wednesday, Sept. 12. On Thursday all the parents and staff will be enjoying a Back to School barbeque at 5:30.

            The Stay and Play program will be up and running starting Tuesday, Oct 2.The summer fun may be over but fun activities continue.

Fall hunting

            Fall decorations have begun to appear and pumpkin stands offer a wide range of different sized pumpkins. The corn mazes will soon be busy as families spend time in the fall outdoors. For the hunters it’s the beginning of bird hunting season with the start of crane season and duck and goose are just around the corner. Goose breast when ground up makes very delicious burgers. In this family it’s become a three generation tradition and I’m happy for the guys when they have a good shoot.

August 20, 2012 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            It’s a wonderful sunny morning as I sit down to write the column. The forecast for the week is hot, hot and hot but the nights cool off and the windows are wide open. Many farmers are baling this year so it makes for less smoky nights and is much appreciated. The leaves on our big old cottonwood have begun falling and the scent of autumn is here. We did get rain last week which was a plant saver as even some of the perennials were beginning to show stress. Many farmers, who have combined wheat, barley, oats and canola, have already worked their fields and are waiting to begin harvesting their beans. It’s almost as if we’ve missed the month of August and have gone straight into September.

Plum Fest

            The Plum Coulee festival may not be the biggest but it sure is fun. The committee plans something for all ages but attendance wise it appears that the parade and the dance tent is probably the most popular. The weather was great, even the rain went around so the events flowed right along. One of the bands playing on Saturday night was none other than Jordon St. Cyr from Niverville. Sunday wrapped up with a band doing a Johnny Cash tribute for a large toe tapping audience. The committee deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.

Afternoon in the park

            The children of John and Betty Warkentin hosted an anniversary celebration on Sunday, August 19 at the Altona Park. Due to some family members being gone the weekend of the actual anniversary date, August 11, the gathering was scheduled a week later. Approximately 30 family members helped John and Betty celebrate their 50 years of marriage. Everyone enjoyed the meal catered by Danny’s Whole Hog which of course included barbecued pork, beans, coleslaw, Caesar salad and buns after which coffee and cake followed. The Rosenfeld community would like to wish John and Betty, former residents of Rosenfeld, a happy anniversary.

September 3, 2012 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The hot days of summer have past and we are definitely into the fall season. The temperature was 12 on the morning of last Monday and you could feel the nip in the air. The lazy, hazy days of summer weren’t lazy around here at all; in fact this summer seems to have been one of the most hectic ones in recent years. I would like to state on record that I will plant a smaller garden next year even though the local MCC does take all the produce I bring. I’m tired and need a holiday. The garden is almost empty; only the melons and carrots are left to take care of. My hairdresser and her husband will be celebrating their 25 wedding anniversary on their yard in the middle of the month and will be taking most the gourds for a fall theme and the melons will go to the MCC. Ah, only the carrots left to dig, wash, peel, chop, blanch and freeze. I don’t know how I would have managed to mow the yard if we had received rain so the dryness was a blessing in disguise. I’m looking forward to a rainy, quilting day.

Farewell

            Long time residents, Harry and Ellen Schmidt have moved to Winkler. They were avid walkers and our streets will definitely be emptier without them but the community wishes them the best.

Let the fun begin

            The Altona and Area Resource Center will again be providing the Play and Stay program for parents and tots. We begin the first Tuesday in October at the Rosenfeld School and it will run mornings from 9:30 – 11:30.

New development

            Nickel’s field on the southeast corner of Rosenfeld will soon be under construction for a new development by MP Properties. Martin Friesen purchased the land and has placed billboards at the corners. These denote lot size and names of streets which include A. J. Thiessen and of course, Nickel. From all reports there is much interest in this development.

Baseball win

            Nate Smith, son of Ron and Loretta Smith, has been very busy with baseball this summer. He plays with the Altona Bison Midgets and on August 19 they won their second consecutive Western Canada AA Baseball Championship. Congratulations on this outstanding feat.

School bells

            The school bells will once again be calling kids in for class this week and the empty halls will be filled with boisterous students. They will definitely be jockeying for the best desk in the classroom and no doubt be moved within the second week. The first month is always an exciting time for students and teachers before everything settles into a routine. Here’s hoping that you all have a good year.

Blue moon

            Did you know that the month of August had two full moons? And this is called a blue moon? And that this is where the phrase “once in a blue moon” comes from?