Feb.25 2013

February 25 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            I’m back on my own computer and it’s like sitting in my comfortable chair. A person sure gets used to a certain item quickly and it takes a long time for me to adjust to change. But this makes me a happy camper.

            Is there anyone out there who still wants more snow? We have higher snow banks in our back yard than we have had in many years. At the beginning I shoveled under the wash lines so that I could continue hanging out laundry but I’ve had to give up on that and admit defeat. The snow is a foot under the line and unless I ask Dave to bring the snow blower out back, the laundry stays in the house. This does not make me happy. There’s nothing as nice as crawling under the covers when the linen has freeze dried outside. A person can’t buy that smell; just perfumed soaps that make my sinuses explode. Why can’t the detergent companies come up with a real genuine outside fragrance?

School news

            The Grade 6 class along with teacher, Kathy Schroeder and principal, Jason Pilkington started out early on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 7. The entire class was excited to be going skiing, many for the first time and Holiday Mountain Resort at La Riviere was not disappointing.

            Grade 4, 5 and 6 classes travelled to the Festival de Voyageur on Friday, Feb. 15. It was a crisp but sunny day and the students enjoyed the toffee making as well as the other exhibits. Many warmed their hands at the burning barrels set up around the grounds.

            Read-a-thon ended on Friday, Feb. 22 with an ice-cream party. A report will follow with the number of pages read during the month of February.

Hockey update

            Altona Bantam Maroons began their playoff series on Saturday, Feb.23 against a team from Notre Dame. They lost 7 – 0. They played their next game on Sunday in Altona and the first and second period went fairly well. Then the third period everything that could go wrong did and they lost 6 – 0. Altona is now out of the playoffs.

            I have only one question concerning this year’s playoffs and it is this: how does the Pembina Valley convener decide that the bronze team should playoff against a gold or silver team?

            The Winkler Flyers are trying to secure a playoff spot but need to step it up a notch. They lost 5 – 2 to Portage on Feb. 21. Then had a very good game in Selkirk and won 3 – 2. Sunday they took on the Winnipeg Blues in Winnipeg and were tied going into overtime but lost 4 – 3. They will be very busy this week and the community is rooting for them particularly for Brett Klassen who is one of our own.

Amber s journal (au-pair in Germany)

            I’ve met lots of new people lately in my language class. I’ve met people in class from all over the world: Paraguay, Morocco, South Korea, France, India, Lithuania, Spain, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Italy, Romania and the USA. I’ve made a whole bunch of new friends and I keep making more all the time. The boys are doing very well and I’m learning new ways to work and play with the boys.

Condolences

            Henry Schellenberg, 60, of Kleefeld passed away Wednesday Feb. 20 at the St. Pierre Hospital. He leaves behind his wife Jocelyne and two sons, his mother, Mary, two sisters, Evangeline and Martha three brothers, John, Joe and Eugene and their families. A memorial Service will be held Friday, March 1 at the Westminster United Church in Winnipeg.

            Henry grew up in Rosenfeld and went on to have an outstanding career in music. He will be missed by many students and staff as well as friends and family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family some of whom still reside in Rosenfeld.

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.

January 7 2013

January 7, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The holidays are over and everything goes back to the regular routine. The school buses are busy and many moms give a sigh of relief over their coffee in the morning.  No doubt it has been fun to have the children at home and the weather has been great but it is a good thing when school is back in session.

            I have been slowly lowering the pile of jigsaw puzzles but I’m beginning to doubt if I’ll get all of them done this winter, time seems to be flying by. The seeds usually come out in February and the peppers will be seeded first. So far I’ve refused to look at the seed catalogues which have been arriving on a daily bases but I can’t put it off much longer.

            I went to check my plants in the greenhouse on Monday and it's just a blooming concern with big pompoms of geraniums. The Christmas cactus is hanging full of flowers and even the hyacinths have sprouted a stem of blooms. The wheelbarrow is over full of different ivies which I use for baskets and is a multi-coloured green. Even the petunias are not down for a rest. I’ve been saving a purple-black flowered plant for a number of winters and it is gorgeous next to the cactus. I’ve got my own small green tropical space in the land of white yards and it’s a good thing.

Fundraiser

Our Grade 6 class decided to do a fundraiser during the month of December to raise money for Children’s Camps International.  We had a goal to raise $690 so we could buy a cow, a goat, a chicken, a pig, sports equipment and some crayons for families who don’t have as much as we do.  As a class, we decided to sell cookies and run a penny carnival to raise the money.

 I thought that I would do something extra on my own to raise more money for the cause we picked.  So, I thought of making some egg McMuffins for the Rosenfeld coffee shop where my dad goes for coffee every morning.  I talked to my mom and dad.  They thought it was a good idea.  I asked my friend, Kelton to help me.  He thought it was a good idea and he would help me.

 When the day came we were so happy and excited.  When we got to the coffee shop we got to work.  We had A LOT of people there.  We were SOOO busy.  We made $643.83!  The people were very generous.  Now, with the money from the cookie sales and the penny carnival, we have raised over $1000!  (Mrs. Klassen the school secretary is still counting pennies.)  We could not have done this without the people who were soooooo generous.  Thank you so much. Submitted by Cassie Smith and Kelton Dyck, two Grade 6 students in Mrs. Kathy Schroeder’s class.

Hockey update

            The Altona Bantam Maroon’s hockey team was off to a super start in their regular season. They played their first game in Gretna against the Portage team on Saturday, Jan.5 and won 6 – 2.

            Sunday, Jan. 6, we all headed out to Pilot Mound for the second game which was a real nail-biter. It was tied one all for much of the game but in the third period Manitou/Somerset put the puck in the net to go ahead 2 – 1 and that’s how the game ended. The Maroons didn’t win the game but it was one of the best I’ve had the pleasure of watching; fast skating, good passing, nice team work and only one penalty per team. Good job guys.

December 26

December 26, 2012 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            In the words of an old song; Oh baby, its cold outside. I have a pair of lined jeans and they sure come in handy on days where the temperature drops below -20 and your nose soon looks like Rudolph’s. I’m hoping that we’ll have cold now and then come February the south wind blows in, Quebec and Ontario have again had power outages along with their storm systems and I really hope they don’t share that situation with us.

            Even though Christmas day has come and gone many people are still gathering and as the TV shows, still shopping. We had a wonderful day with our family even though the stomach flu was still having an effect on our grandson, Thomas.

Rosenfeld program

            The Rosenfeld students and staff worked and practiced hard and again performed an awesome program. It was held on Wednesday, Dec.19 with two performances. The grandparents, aunts and uncles and family friends attended in the afternoon in order for the parents and siblings to have enough seating in the evening. Before the performance began all the piano students participate in a musical prelude. This year we were pleasantly surprise when one of them played Silent Night on the violin. Good job, Jennifer Wall.   

            The concert was entitled The Tale of the Drowsy Shepherd and yes, the shepherd did fall asleep on the job and later had to go looking for the runaways but it all turned out alright in the end. We listened to poems, songs and watched dancing sheep. We were entertained by the Grade 2 class with their rendition of Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree, the school choir singing Sing Noel and poems written and recited by the Grade 3 students. There was never a dull moment as once again the Christmas story unfolded. A big round of applause goes out to the students and staff with special note to the school choir director, Denise Wohlgemut and her accompanist, Kathy Schroeder.

Parkside program

            The Parkside Winter concert took place on Thursday, Dec. 20 at the Altona Bergthaler Church. Due to the drama teacher being ill most of the month; the entire evening was music and singing. It was great. The Grade 7 band was up first and it’s always amazing how far these students have come in their music ability in such a short time. They had an outstanding performance when playing Away in a Manger in two parts, brass and woodwind. The Grade 8 band began with Do You Hear What I Hear and closed with a Jubilant Carol. While the congregation sang Joy to the World the choir took their places and filled the entire front section with just as many boys as girls. As I’ve noted before, having a male music director has made a huge impact on the number of boys participating. This is a good thing.

            Now would be the time where the drama begins but in its place we had a variety of groups entertain just for the fun of it. We had a clarinet trio, a flute trio and Joy to the World beautifully done by student, Avery Brillinger on the cello and Mr. Schott, music director, on the tenor saxophone. The audience then listened to a saxophone quartet and a brass ensemble.

            Not to be outdone, the jazz band came out rocking beginning with Angels Diggin’ It and finished their set with Bell Carol Rock. Those of you who read this column on a regular basis already know that I enjoy the jazz portion the most and it doesn’t hurt that our grandson, Thomas is now the drummer and he did an outstanding job. Those are grandma’s bragging rights.

Rink up date

            The Rosenfeld and District Skating rink is now officially open. The lights are on every evening and from our house I can observe the heads bobbing along on the ice. If in doubt as to the time schedule, please call ahead, 204-324-8902.

            I hope everyone is having a great Christmas break and enjoying the snow. Happy New Year!