Nov.18 Rosenfeld news

Rosenfeld news by Tina Wolfe Nov.18-13

            Isn’t it absolutely beautiful? Even though it’s a cloudy day, the house is nice and bright with the snow covered yard reflecting into the windows. The neighbour, Crystal Zacharias, came over with a bag of buns so I guess she’s having a baking day. A friend called this morning and she’s having a sewing day. Me, well I’m having a napping day. We’ve had a very busy weekend and I’m low on energy and need to re-energize.

New postmaster

            The Rosenfeld post office has new owners, Wayne and Connie Kauenhofen. Connie has been learning the ropes from previous owner, Trudy Wiebe. So the next time you stop to pick up your mail please take the time to say hi and offer Connie encouragement. The residents of Rosenfeld will definitely miss Trudy but she has family who needs her at home. We wish her well and thank her for her service in the past years.

Hockey update

            Saturday, Nov. 16 and the Altona Maroons Bantam 1 played against Altona Maroons Bantam 2. The Bantam 2 won the game 5-2. It’s very difficult to cheer when the Altona teams play each other; we know all the kids and at one time or another they’ve been on the same team.

            Sunday, Nov. 17 the Altona Bantam 1 took on the Macdonald team and walked away winning 9 – 2. That Wolfe kid keeps racking up points but it’s good to see that the kids play as a team.

Music fundraiser

            MCI chamber choir will be performing with the CMU chamber choir for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank in Singin’ in the Grain. The choirs will be at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church in Winnipeg  on November 22 and at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler on November 23. Everyone is welcome to attend. Check the MCI website for more information.

Award

            Katharina Vermette won the Governor Generals award for her book of poetry entitled North End Love Songs. Katharina lives in Winnipeg but travelled to Toronto to receive her award. I’m her aunt and was fortunate to receive an autographed copy for a gift last Christmas.

School update

There will be no classes for the students on Friday, Nov. 22. Parent and teacher interviews begin Thursday and continue through Friday. Wednesday, Nov.27 will only be a half day with the students coming home at lunch. I can’t believe how fast the month of November has gone.

Progress report

            I was scheduled to see my specialist the last week in November but an issue arose and the appointment was bumped to Tuesday of last week. I had developed a small bump on the left ankle and the home care nurse became worried. We took pictures and e-mailed them to the specialist and we were called into the office earlier than expected. It wasn’t an emergency; a screw has decided it needed to move but at this point the surgeon stated that it will not be removed. He said that I need to grow more bone and that as long as it doesn’t bother me, it will stay put. The good news is that I can begin to wear regular shoes and can remove the big cumbersome air-boot to walk. The bad news is that I over did walking without it and had quite a painful night last Friday. You’d think I would have learned what the word moderation meant by this time. Now I alternate between hiking boots, moccasins and the air-boot.

            We continue to have wonderful support from the community, family and friends. Dave and I hosted friends, Ken and Jean Warkentin from Sanford and the junge Wolfe’s on Sunday. Jean brought a casserole, salad and apple crisp, Anna brought ice cream cake and Dave and I made cabbage borscht, pork roast and buns. It was a wonderful meal shared with wonderful family and friends. Life is good.

Nov. 11 Rosenfeld news

November 11, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            No sooner is Halloween over and up go the Christmas decorations. This year our house will not have as many lights or decorations as the past years but we’ll celebrate Christmas non-the-less. Dave has never been one to spend the time stringing lights as it’s done right at hunting season and I am not able to this year. Ah, but next year I’ll make up for it.

            The students are already practicing in the choirs and shoppers are trampling each other trying to get the best deals. Black Friday is coming up and I hear that some of our Manitoba businesses are trying to give the North Dakota stores some competition. Good on them. I am not opposed to shopping in Grand Forks or Fargo but feel that we should support our local businesses if we want them to stay viable.

Hockey news

            The Altona Maroons were up against the Winkler Royals on Thursday, Nov.7. I heard via the grape vine that this was going to be a rough and tumble game due to the Royals offering the Maroons goalie a chunk of change that he couldn’t resist. Not only did the Royals get the goalie but a couple of other Maroon players as well. I guess it pays to have money because the Royals did win the game 5 – 2 but the Maroons did put up some stiff competition. Angus Klassen is playing for the Maroons again and overall stands number 15 on the scoreboard.

            Brett Klassen has moved from the Winkler Flyers to take up playing for the Morris Twisters. The Twisters were the MMJHL 2012 -2013 Champions. I’ll try to get some scores and updates for this team as well.

            The Miller Aces also have some Rosenfeld representatives; Simon Schroeder and the Winter brothers, Matthew and Conner. I’m sorry to report Simon is off again due to a concussion. This is not good news. He was off a number of weeks last year also with a concussion.

            The Altona Bantam 1’s were on the ice Sunday, Nov. 10 and fought to take control of the game. It was a struggle but they did manage to win the evening 3-2 over Winkler. A couple of our top scorers apparently spent time in the penalty box. I guess that’s what happens when frustration takes over but watch those elbows guys.

School news

            Some sad news on the school playground equipment front; it’s been shut down again due to a ladder dislodging from its position. The good news is that no child was hurt but it’s disappointing for the staff and students to see that yellow tape strung around the structure.

Remembrance Day Program

            The staff and students presented a short program in honour of the veterans on Thursday, Nov. 7. The processional was led by flag bearer Leonard Wolf which was followed by a welcoming by principal, Jason Pilkington. The Grade 1 – 3 choir sang a number entitled Sing for Peace and the Grades 1 and 2 recited poems. The Grade 4 – 6 choir also sang for peace. A short video was shown, the Last Post was heard and one minute silence followed. After the Reveille was heard the Grade 4 – 6 choir again took the floor with Grant us Peace, Grant us Courage. Closing remarks were made by Mr. Pilkington. The staff and students would like to thank Sheryl Peters for her piano accompaniment. The program continues to be well attended by area residents.

Progress report

            It’s amazing the difference from one week to the other. Last week was awesome with very little pain so I wormed my way into the closet and hauled out my crafting bins and made a birthday card for Amber in Germany. When I’d finished with that I began making Christmas cards. I prefer to send my closest family and friends homemade cards with silly personnel poems; sometimes I add photos from my albums. Nowadays with the printers it’s so easy to scan in an old photo and use it in projects like birthday or anniversary cards.

            I’ve moved from the therapist office in Winkler to the one in Altona and it sure is a much easier trip. I continue to do well with walking and the bending of my knees. My palms have huge calluses on them due to the couple of weeks where I was basically carrying myself on the walker; my ankles were just too painful. I hit a milestone event last night when I slept the whole night through for the first time since before the accident. I sure was stiff though. I continue to sleep on the lounger but hope to move into our bedroom before Christmas but my hips have to say yes first.

            Thus far I’ve managed not to gain weight but friends and family have been keeping us well fed with a nice variety of food; chicken vegetable soup, buns, sweet and sour farmer sausage, porcupines and Christmas oranges. And then Sunday Mike and Anna and grandkids came for lunch and we pigged out on Chinese food. The restaurant in Altona has had a makeover and the food was awesome.

Nov. 4

Nov. 4 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The radio and television were full of Halloween stories last week but according to the locals it was a flop around here. I had put up a “sorry no treats this year” sign so we had no trick or treaters but just a few doors down they had only 15 kids drop by. This is by far the least amount of kids ever: we usually average around 40 kids. I’ve heard reports from people in Morden and Altona who also stated that their numbers were down. So is Halloween going to go by the way side and become one of those olden day stories?

Miller Fall Concert

            The Miller Collegiate presented their fall concert on Tuesday, Oct.29 at Buhler Hall in Gretna.  Rosenfeld was well represented in band with solo performances by Tom Wolfe and Nate Smith and in choir by awesome solos by Madison Smith and Ashton Cornelson. I’m sorry to say that I couldn’t stay for the entire concert but it was good to hear one of my most favorite songs before I left which is Down in the River. It’s on the movie track of O Brother Where Art Thou in which George Clooney stars as an escaped convict.

Hockey update

            The Altona Bantam Maroons were busy again this past weekend. Saturday, Nov. 2 they played in Altona against the team from Morris, Red River, and lost 8-2. Then Sunday they drove to Sanford to play against one of the Macdonald teams and came out shining with a score of 10 – 2. Even though I didn’t attend any of the games, as one of the grandmas I can brag that Thomas Wolfe is racking up points with goals and assists.

Volleyball update

            The girls MCI volleyball team participated in a tournament on Saturday, Nov. 2. They traveled by bus to La Broquerie and played all day making it to the semi-finals. The games were close scores and the girls came home exhausted but satisfied with their effort.

School update

            Here are a few reminders for the next week. Monday, Nov. 11 there is no school. Thursday, Nov.14 the Stay and Play program will take place from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Then also on Thursday the Boys and Girls Club will meet at the school from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Please call Gladys Klassen, the school secretary, if you have any questions.

Amber’s blog

            I am super pumped to be going to London on Friday! The plan is that I will go to stay at my friend Anneke’s for night on Thursday, and then we’ll head out to the airport first thing the next morning. No, I’m not packed yet, but I’ve got my suitcase out and am ready to start! I’ve also finally received my Ireland trip time, which will be the 3rd weekend in November.
            Travel plans aside, I had a great last week. On Tuesday, the family and I went to enjoy the Bremen Freimarkt together, which is a huge carnival. It was super fun to try out the different games at the booths, and eat some traditional German Würst and pastries. Other than that, the school days were fairly average, just bringing kids to soccer and keeping them out of trouble at home. On Friday evening, I had church practice, and on Saturday I took care of the boys while the parents were away, which also included a visit to Grandma’s (Toby’s mom). On Sunday, I went to a spinning class (a fancy exercise bike) and in the afternoon, I was able to play piano in church. It is such a treat to be able to serve God with my gifts, and just to play piano again! Afterwards, a whole group of us from church went to the Freimarkt for the evening. Other than that, there isn’t much new… I’m just realizing how fast this whole experience has gone. October is somehow basically gone, and so I’m left with only 2 months until my plane ride home. Lord willing, of course.

Progress report

            I am happy to report that slowing down with the physio has paid off; much less pain and not such a grumpy Tina. We have been going to Winkler for therapy but decided that since the weather would soon be snowy; it would be easier to switch to Altona. They also have a handi-van to pick me up and this will be a much shorter drive. Dave is my full time caregiver and Carol Schroeder has been a God sent. She not only comes to sit with me; she brings lunch and eats with me. Sunday she popped by with a cloth pouch which fastens to my walker. It has five pockets which now hold a Sudoku book, pills, TV remote, phone and odds and ends. It makes life easier. Also on Sunday, Mike and Anna, Gabby and Tom came for lunch which Mike went to Altona to pick up. Ang’s chicken and pizza was a very good treat. Now back to the exercising.

October 28

October 28, 2013 Rosenfeld news by Tina Wolfe

            The wind has been howling for a number of days and now the trees are pretty much bare. I think the leaves have been blown to Minnesota and even the neighbours can’t say that our leaves are on their yard. I’m just happy that we still have no snow; once that stuff shows up I’ll have a tough time getting around with the wheelchair.

Dedication

            People gathered at the school playground on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 6:00 p.m. for the dedication of a local young woman. Kendall Wiebe died in 2012 in an unusual accident where a vehicle crashed into a Winnipeg hair salon where she was working. Art and MaryAnn Wiebe, her parents, have set up a scholarship in her name and now dedicated a bench at the new playground in her name. Approximately 50 people gathered to give the Wiebe family support.

Hockey tournament

            The Altona Bantam Maroons held their first hockey tournament this past weekend and Saturday, Oct. 26 found Dave and me at the rink cheering on our grandson, Thomas, as he hit the ice.  He came out in fine form and scored the first goal of the game. They played hard and won the game 8 - 6 against the Winkler team. We didn’t stay for the second game when they met the Carman team. This proved too much and though the score was 5 – 3 for Carman until the last 5 minutes of the game, Altona ran out of gas and lost 9 – 3. On Sunday the playoff game saw the Altona Bantam teams play against each other for bronze. The team Thomas plays on won 5 -3. Another player from Rosenfeld on this team is Conner Winter and he plays defense. Good tournament guys.

School news

            The Altona and Area Resource Center will again be offering the program Stay and Play at the Rosenfeld School. Candice Wiens will be the facilitator and she will be providing the play date every Thursday morning from 9:30 – 11:30 beginning November 7.  All parents with preschool children are welcome to attend. It’s a great way for new parents to get familiar with the school and recent residents to meet and get acquainted. Please call the school if you have any questions.

            On November 1 the MCI will be hosting a Soup and Pie supper beginning at 5:00 which will be followed by their fall concert at 7:00 pm.

            The Rosenfeld School students and staff will be holding their Remembrance Day Program on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2:30. Everyone is welcome to attend.

            There will be no classes on Friday, Nov. 8 due to report card writing.

            School will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11 – Remembrance Day.

Progress report

            As you’ve read in the column above, I had a very exciting weekend and attended two hockey games. Mike and Anna shared their vehicle in order for me to be able to attend due to our truck being way too high for me to slide into. Last week I went to physio three times and I can assure you that it was too much; by Friday evening I could barely walk. My ankles felt as though they were on fire and my toes, well, who knew how much a person bent them when walking. I ended up taking ibuprofen and napping a lot. This will not happen again; I don’t need to push this hard. It will only cause setbacks. My goal for the right knee was met last week with the bend reaching the 115 degree angle. The left knee will take longer but the bend is slowly increasing and reached a 75 degree angle this past Monday. Because of all the pressure on my wrists the tingling in my fingers will not be going away any time soon but physio has given me exercises to relax the neck and shoulder muscles. People ask me about what I do to keep busy and the answer would definitely be exercises. I very seldom sit and read without first doing some bending or stretching either legs or arms. This of course leads to napping. I can’t end this paragraph without thanking all the people who continue to offer support; whether with meals, prayer, phone calls or offering to sit with me. Dave and I appreciate every gesture.

            Due to my current circumstances I rely on Rosenfeld residents to help me deliver a column each week. This week I would especially like to thank Carol Schroeder and Gladys Klassen. Carol assisted with the Kendall Wiebe dedication story and Gladys for all her help with the Rosenfeld School updates.

Oct. 21, 2013 Rosenfeld news

October 21 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The following poem describes fall in a unique way. Its title is Rainbow and it’s written by Laura Dyck a Rosenfeld School student.

Standing tall, summer gone

“Fall is here!” trees say, “green gone, crispy here”.

Trees turn colour, clouds appear

“Get inside!” It starts to rain.

The rain stops, go outside.

Fall supper

            From all reports the turnout for the fall supper last Saturday was very good. The ladies had changed one menu item which has resulted in some comments. The ladies had baked sausage in place of the usual ham but all other items stayed the same including the variety of homemade pies.

CMYC Concert

            Oh woe is me. That’s how I felt when I backed out of attending Gabby’s concert on Sunday night. Dave and I had company all afternoon and by the time it came to get dressed for the concert all the energy I could muster was to get into my pajamas. Thank goodness for video cameras. Mike and Anna will be bringing the concert to our house.

            The Central Manitoba Youth Choir Tours began in 1985 and the choir consists of 50 high school students who successfully auditioned last spring. This year Rosenfeld was represented by Gabby Wolfe and Madison Smith. “The concert was awesome and made the walls of the Altona Mennonite Church tremble” quote by Carol Schroeder. Both the Wolfe and Smith families billeted a number of choir members after the Sunday night’s performance.

Progress report

            It’s amazing what a lift a person gets when company comes knocking. But what a surprise when Uncle Abe and Aunt Anna Friesen from Winnipeg arrived for a visit. And what a shame that I had a physio appointment that afternoon. The visit was much too short but a huge morale booster. I continue to increase my exercise load which of course causes sore muscles. I remind myself continually that this is a good thing. It means that there is hope for a complete recovery and it will just take time. My walker puts on quite a few miles a week and that results in napping. I have no problem having two naps a day and then a good eight hour night with relatively little pain most of the time. I have numbness and tingling in some of my fingers in both hands and that’s due to the neck injury. With massage therapy now and some chiropractic care in the future this too will come to an end. In the meantime I need to use my hands to take some of the weight off my left leg. I don’t need to do any extra weight lifting my arms are just fine.

School update

            Friday, Oct. 25 there are no classes and Wednesday, Oct. 30 there will be no classes in the afternoon.

            Soup days have begun on Wednesdays and students are reminded to bring a bowl, a spoon and 25 cents.

            The Art and MaryAnn Wiebe dedication for their daughter Kendall did not take place last Saturday due to the bench not being delivered. This will be rescheduled and I’ll post it as soon as I receive information.

Liquid fabric sizer

2 tbsp. Alum, 2 ½ tsp. Arm & Hammer washing soda, ½ tsp fabric softener and 1 cup of HOT water. Mix and let stand until foam settles. Soak your cotton squares in the sizer and then dry. Now they are ready to send through the printer.

Many ladies send recipes in their columns but that always means adding calories to your diet. This recipe is for a craft which is not well known but easy to do if you have a jet printer. All you need is cotton fabric with a thread count less than 250; a colour jet printer and butcher wrap paper which is wax on one side. Cut your cotton the size of the square you want to print. I used the regular letter 11 x 81/2 and trimmed off the excess. Fasten the cotton onto the wax side of the paper with warm iron and send through the printer. Make sure there are no threads sticking out; trim before sending through the printer.

My project is to make a table cloth border. In the future I will need to downsize my cups and saucers so this is a way I could take the memory with me. I have taken pictures of most of my china which I will print onto these cotton squares and sew into a border for a tablecloth. Tea party, anyone?

Oct. 14 Rosenfeld news 2013

Oct. 14 Rosenfeld news by Tina Wolfe

            The colours of fall seem to be more spectacular this year than in the past. Maybe because I no longer look at the leaves as work, I know I can’t rake this year so the whole picture changes. It’s Thanksgiving Monday and its softly misting and such a good day for napping. It’s going to be a busy week so I need to be prepared.

Community announcement

            The Rosenfeld Fall Supper will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Rosenfeld Good Neighbour Center. Serving begins at 4:30 and due to the cancellation last year, I suggest you be early.

            A dedication ceremony will take place on the playground that same afternoon. The Parent council has worked hard to raise funds to replace playground equipment which was no longer deemed safe. This has been installed and has now passed all codes. Art and MaryAnn Wiebe will be adding a bench in honour of their daughter Kendall who died a while back. Please stop by and join the community in this dedication.

Condolences

            The Rosenfeld community sends thoughts and prayers to Leah Boutet and her family. Richard Boutet of Altona, formerly of Rosenfeld passed away Monday, Oct. 7 at Eastview Place in Altona. Richard was only 56 but Alzheimer’s disease knows no age. He is survived by his wife Leah, one daughter and two sons. A prayer service was held on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:00 p.m at the St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church in Morris. A Mass Resurrection was held on Friday, Oct. 11 at 2:00 pm at the same church.

            Richard had a quiet way about him with a ready smile for everyone. He worked at Altona Penner Foods and later IGA for many years as meat manager and will be missed by many of his past customers. I had the pleasure of working first as staff in the meat department then alongside him as deli manager when Penner Foods expanded. We shared much laughter during the ten years I worked there and his name never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Progress report

            I am happy, oh so happy. I managed to get into Mike and Anna’s Honda on Sunday. Dave wheeled me up to the Pilot, I stood up, turned around and slid my bum onto that seat. It felt good. Getting out was easier than getting in and you ask why all the excitement? Well, Gabby is singing in a concert next Sunday and unless I managed to get into this vehicle, I couldn’t go. So next week be prepared for a review of the concert because unless it storms, I’m going.

            I’ve had very good days and some not so good but I think everyone has those so who am I to complain? Mike and Anna, Gabby and Thomas came over Sunday, Oct. 13 bringing Thanksgiving supper. The menu included varenika, baked ham which Mike had basted with honey, saskatoon sauce, schmont fat, jello and mini pies: apple or peach. The word delicious doesn’t do it justice. It was a great day and I have much to be thankful for.

            We continue to have community support with people bringing soup, buns and cinnamon rolls. Dave and I have even hosted people for supper; once we ordered in pizza but the next time Dave cooked chicken and mashed potatoes.

            Going to physio is very tiring but with good results. The left knee bends to a 72 % angle and the right to 112. My goal is a minimum of 115 which is what is needed to ride bike. Anything after that will be a bonus.  I have all winter to meet this goal and am very determined to be on my bike come spring. My stubborn streak is showing.

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Oct. 8 2013

Oct. 8 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            It’s amazing how one’s priorities change when life takes a turn you didn’t expect. Weather used to dominate my life as to what I would do every day and now it’s really not that important. Don’t get me wrong; I love the sunny afternoons. Dave wheels me out on the patio or takes me for a walk but I don’t moan and groan if the forecast is for rain. And hey, did you see the weather that hit South Dakota? They received three feet of snow and tornadoes. Who are we to complain about a bit of chilly wind? Ah yes, we live in Manitoba and what would we talk about if not the weather?

            Our family is beginning to get excited about our oldest granddaughter, Amber, coming home from Germany. She has purchased her ticket and will be arriving back to Manitoba on January 6. We’re not Ukrainian but we are going to have the biggest Ukrainian Christmas ever. Is anyone else planning their holidays? I’ve been getting e-mails with the number of shopping days left before Christmas and was ignoring them but not anymore. We are going to get the best Christmas present ever.

School bulletin

            Schools in Manitoba are being encouraged to collect previously used plastic bags to divert them from landfill so they can be used to create useful recycled items (benches, bird housed). Last year participating schools (including Rosenfeld) collected over one million plastic bags which translates into 3.3 tonnes.

            Starting on September 30 Rosenfeld School will officially begin collecting previously used bags. Brand-new bags obtained in bulk from retailers will not be accepted. All bags must be clean and dry and free from crumbs, receipts and garbage. The end date is November 1.

            Please feel free to drop off the following types of bags at Rosenfeld School, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Here’s a list of bags that can be recycled: grocery, bread, dry cleaning, cereal, Ziploc and other re-sealable bags, produce and bubble wrap.

            The Grade 5 class will be responsible for counting the bags that are received. If you have any questions please call Jackie Nickel at school at 204-324-8438.

Community bulletin

            The ladies of Rosenfeld are again holding a Fall Supper. It will be served on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Good Neighbour Center. It was cancelled last year so make sure to arrive early to enjoy the turkey and ham home cooked meal. They start serving at 4:30 p.m.

Progress update

            It has been a challenging week. Dave and I are trying to establish some sort of routine but that is proving to be very difficult. Home care doesn’t come the same time every day and we have to work around them on the days they do come. I have one lady come to change bandages three times a week and one to help with the bathing once a week. On top of that we have two afternoons of physio appointments in Winkler. Need I say that I nap a lot?  We frequently have friends coming by and all the food dropped off comes in very handy. Portion size is very difficult when you have homemade noodle soup which includes homemade noodles or cabbage borscht and homemade brown buns or a big pan of enchiladas. We’ve had a couple of watermelons that are as sweet as candy and are a very good snack.

            My exercising is paying off and my knees are bending further all the time but the more I do the more aches show up. But I accept that as part of the process and welcome every new nerve waking up. It means that I will have a chance at good recuperation of all movement.

            I would like to wish everyone a safe Thanksgiving weekend. Please be careful on the road when traveling to visit family and friends.

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