MARILYN AND ELMER’S INTERESTING SUMMER OF 2013

It all started at Whatshan Lake Retreat with a wedding for Rod and Laura Lodon on July 06, 2013. What was unique is that all the members of the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 (DHRS #1999) and the Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) were invited. It was an opportunity to utilize all the facilities along with the ingenuity of daughters Nona and Lori to make this wedding something to remember for the Markin and Lodon families.

There were typical Doukhobor prayers by Alex Wishlow and even all the DCA/DHRS #1999 members sang traditional hymns and songs. We had guests that flew into the Barnes Creek International Airport on a “white knuckle express” flight.

No, we were unable to complete the planned clay oven to bake the ceremonial wedding bread and so we “cheated” by baking it in the Retreat ovens.

On Sunday, Alex Wishlow treated us to an excellent Prayer Service, right in front of the stage. Followed by a Shishliki brunch.

Entertainment was supplied by Moe Zibin and the Balladeers, Patricia Markin, Dr. ‘Eclectic” Allan Markin, the Rippin’ Rattlers and a Disc Jockey as well as some Pickin’ and Strummin’ around campsites.

All Aunt Flo’s immediate family attended and we have pictorial evidence of Flo sliding down a playground (she donated) chute smoking one of her son Allan’s cigars. My mother (Flo’s oldest sister), would have said “ Prama Stramata.”

Late Tuesday we left Castlegar in pursuit of Rick, Lori and Nona who were to meet us at Lethbridge RV Park. Our first challenge came after our faithful First Nations entrepreneur at the Red Feather service station in Brocket, AB, was not open at 1030 P.M. and so we ended up searching for the gang in the huge RV Park at the entrance to Lethbridge on an empty gas tank.

We assumed as much and found them at the Casino. They pampered us with drinks and explanations that they had left large signs on their RV advising us where they were. Who would anticipate such thoughtfulness from our offspring?

We made up and all slept in the RV to save the money we lost at the Casino. We didn’t leave Lethbridge until the Ford Mechanics could make repairs to Rick’s air intake system in the early afternoon.

Although we took advantage of the great Prairie Highways and understanding RCMP, we passed Asquith at sundown. Then Granny and I took the lead as we were supposed to know how to get to Jade and Marnie’s on the back road shortcut. Little did we know that the wet Saskatchewan Summer had rendered many of the farm road system impassable. We watched Rick maneuver some pretty treacherous “soft spots” that even a veteran farmer would have avoided.

It was a surprise for the entire Verishine family as they sat on their deck wondering who was driving in unexpectedly. It was Jade’s total pleasant surprise to see his first cousins who he did know that Marnie had secretly invited to their wedding.  

Marilyn and I were expected at Mitch and Dorthy Ozeroff’s that evening and so we arrived with Mitch already in bed. Checking in at the Ozeroff Motel, in Langham, is a formidable challenge as there is the need to be treated with Scotch and “have you eaten yet as I have two roasted chickens which were ready for you at dinner?” It was typical prairie hospitality with Doukhobor Heritage influence and very trying on the waistline.

Using the Ozeroff Motel as a “base camp” we started our visitations with Aunty Ann and Cousin Kathy Verishine’s as well as trips to the wedding site which was the next farm over from Marilyn’s home place. We all went over to do a nostalgic visit to the family farm and were met by Geoff, Marilyn’s Nephew and current owner. Of course, we toured everywhere including the still operable “banya”.

The farm immediately North of the former family farm was the site of either an arrowhead factory or a massive native battle as arrowheads have been found there in past by all the family. Nona dreamed of finding at least one arrowhead and she was not to be disappointed as she now has one for the effort.

Marnie and Jade’s wedding was typically ‘country’ in theme with bales of hay for seating and a huge tent to house the wedding dinner. What became the highlight was the taking of vows in a former Lutheran Church with a picturesque steeple silhouetted along a country road. All guests watched their adult children and partners, all dressed in western garb, be the attendants. What “stole the show” was their three year old son, Jacob, who became the “ring bearer” as he strutted up the aisle, smiling, clutching his sister’s arm.

Special people at the wedding for Marilyn and I were Marilyn’s brother Allan and wife Leah from Whitehorse and her first cousins, Leonard and wife Connie with Harvey and wife Diane. Within the gala wedding celebrations we also were treated to meeting many former neighbors and friends that we had not seen for awhile.

The next day we were off to Saskatoon where we established another base using Alex and first cousin Elaine Derkachenko’s house as a “motel”. From here we were able to visit with Donna Hunchak and John and Ruth Sirota.  Ruth and Donna were my “adopted sisters” when I boarded at the Tarasoff house with their brother Keith during my university years.

Alex is an outstanding chef and the entire household enjoyed the prairie hospitality that Marilyn and I hold so dear.

Here we were able to visit with Cousin Donna and Larry Henderson and Aunty Alice Maloff. It was unbelievable the number of people and memories that were discussed in the days together. Along with all the shopping that Marilyn was able to treat herself with in the this City of 500,000, the Derkachenkos took us on a tour that included the architectural masterpiece, Dakota Dunes Casino, South of Saskatoon. I couldn’t help but smile as I left my contribution of $100 to the revolutionary social enterprise of the First Nations accepting the Canadians willingness to support their business. I am totally impressed with our “first Canadians” becoming self-sufficient.

On Sunday, we were invited to a “garden party” at Wilf and Jeanette Stringer’s residence at Millardville, North of Saskatoon. Jeanette had invited:

• Jeanette’s sister Leona
• Jenaette’s daughter Charla and daughter
• Peter Pereversoff (who came out of hospital for a few hours for this occasion)
• Edna Wright
• Mitch and Dorothy Ozeroff
• Parents Billy and Helen Voykin
• Dr. Veronica Makorova
• Alex and Elaine Derkachenko

The weather was just great, the conversation excellent and Wilf’s bar-b-q delivered all that a summer “get-to-gether” needed to keep everyone laughing and swapping stories of by-gone days when we knew some very young and immature people.

We responded to Dr. Veronica Makorova on her invitation for a return visit after she had spent time with us last May. Veronica and her daughter treated us to a delightful Russian delicacy of salads and a specially prepared chicken dish. Veronica offered to take us for a tour of the University of Saskatchewan. Since I had not been there since graduation in 1963, we eagerly accepted.

It was absolutely unbelievable what my eyes perceived!

Although the original Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Administration and Library Buildings could be picked out with difficulty, they were added to and renovated.  New and beautifully designed buildings filled out the former empty spaces. Vehicles once travelled in the core, this was all now pedestrian only with many enclosed walkways joining the buildings.

I just smiled, remembering the ten minute dashes, between classes, from the Engineering to the Chemistry Buildings, in windchill temperatures of seventy below. Entry into the Lecture Theatre would be a challenge as my glasses would be totally frosted up and I had to rely on feel and a keen sense of direction to find my seat, just after the Professor was well into his lecture.

Now the trip is on an elevated walkway with tropical plants growing along an educational journey through the Saskatchewan prehistoric times when dinosaurs occupied the very site of the University of Saskatchewan. I was speechless which is difficult to witness for Elmer.

Yes, I went in the former Administration building and stood where the original counter was located. I remember asking the Head Clerk in 1958 as to whether the Saskatchewan Government had approved my Student’s Loan of $500. I needed to know as the registration fee and books for 1^st year Engineering would total $450. An atrocious sum of money, that would wipe out my $450 summer earnings to fund my entire year.

After a tense fifteen minutes, he came back to advise me in the affirmative tense. I am sure that the young people reading this blog would say “that’s all!” I wonder how students of today can ever afford the costs of college education.

It was time to travel to Canora for our scheduled educational experience of Bread-baking. We had to rush as there was a funeral for Polly Strukoff at 1:00 P.M., that day, in Kamsack. Although we had enough time to get there (we thought), construction of a new bridge just East of Canora meant finding a detour. With no signs, I relied upon my faint knowledge of the alternatives and went north to find another bridge that I knew. Well Elmer got lost and we arrived two minutes before the funeral was to start.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that a Doukhobor Choir was singing the Lord’s Pray in Russian and so I chimed in trying to remember where the chants were different (British Columbia and Saskatchewan) and was surprised that there was no difference. I really got into the feeling and memories of my friend’s mother and neighbor and felt my voice carry throughout the packed chapel. I was congratulated later on my singing as I was accompanying a taped British Columbia Choir. I must have sang reasonably well as many people who I didn’t know, walked up to shake my hand and thank me. Well so much for coming to the region where I was born and raised.

We had a preset reservation at Keith and Sonia Tarasoff’s farm north of Mikado and so we followed their pickup (I was not taking any chances on getting lost again). Marilyn and I were elated to see that the prearranged occasion included Mitch / Dorothy Ozeroff from Langham with Dr. Jack and Jan Tarasoff from Calgary. A treat for me was meeting my old friends Fred and Eileen Konkin from Pelly. I need to mention part of the Canora Doukhobor Choir showed up with a delightful supply of Saskatoon Berry and Kalina “Pereeshkee”. Yes I made a fool of myself again because I kept forgetting how many I ate.

Bright and early the next day we were off to the Doukhobor Heritage Village in Veregin where I was to serve my apprenticeship in baking bread at an authentic Doukhobor Petch. This included:

• Organizing the kindling in the Petch to progressively stoking the fire into the oven
• Learning how to test the oven when it was ready to receive the bread for baking
• Learning to mix the ingredients in the bread mixer
• White bread mixes and not to forget the brown bread with Tarasoff wheat specially ground at the Village
• Watching the ladies knead the bread and then place it into 58 pans (capacity of the oven)
• Carefully organizing all the pans into the oven in a “sequence plan”
• Yes, I was allowed to take measurements of the oven for future drawings
• Listening to Keith explain the specialized “tricks” of the Petch design that was related to Keith by the designer and builder, Nick Trofemenkoff (deceased)
• “The roof of the oven must be arched at the rear of the Petch so that the flames “roll over” and down to the floor in a special sequence that heats the oven
• Steam Engineers 1st Class probably never had that explanation in their courses
• Raking the coals and embers carefully to the front opening and placing on either side so that heat can be retained at that point for a more homogenous oven heat
• Then getting the baked pans out in the prearranged sequence
• Removing the bread from the pans without damage
• Brushing butter over the bread surface

Did I ever realize that this was not only a science but also a cultural art???

The best part of this whole event was realizing that Dorthy and the ladies had brought out Borsch, Pereehee, cut-up cucumbers, tomatoes, etc., that we had to eat before the next batch of bread. This was a planned get together of the Ozeroffs, the two families Tarasoffs and the Verigins. Yes I always knew that Doukhobors had to suffer to achieve salvation and I am prepared to continue doing that. Wow, what a spread!

With that education behind us, we carried on to Benito, Manitoba to set up another base camp at Sister Mary Khadekin’s house. Upon entering Benito, the Benito Chamber of Commerce had set up a sign “Home of the Wrench.” They boast proudly of the home town world champion curler Ed Werenick. I started thinking of the many characters that had come from this part of Canada:

• Ben Ginter. Major Contractor in B.C. and developer of Uncle Ben’s Brewery
• Ed Werenick (The Wrench) World Champion Curler
• Yukon Joe (Joe Prokopchuk from Watson Creek School South of Aaran)
• To mention just a few

My only sister lives alone in the house they built together with her deceased husband John Khadekin. To the North stands the sentinel “Thunder Hill”, the remaining evidence of the last Ice Age. It is unbelievable what rich black soil is prevalent throughout this area stretching from Madge Lake in the South, all the way North to Swan River. One of the most fertile soils in Canada that is home to many successful farmers. Mary’s garden was also unreal. She can plant in mid June and within a month she has luscious garden greens that would make any Gardener “green” with envy.

As has been my routine, I would travel to my former home town, Pelly, and sit in the Coffee Shop to catch up on all the local information. Most of the people I would meet would not even remember our family which essentially left Pelly after I went to university in 1958 followed by my father’s sudden death that Fall; however, it was a treat to see Roberta MacLise’s (maiden name) oldest brother John, who was still hanging on to the family farm. Roberta was top of our “large” graduating class of 13 in 1958!

But the real satisfaction was chatting with my former Teacher, Peter Negraeff and his wife, Sylvia, who also taught primary grades at that time. It was a pleasure to advise Peter that he had been my Mentor. He was an Educator in the purest sense as he imparted to his students, the desire for information and excellence. He was who inspired me to do the writing that I now do. The Readers of this blog need to know that the atmosphere in the Pelly classroom in “fifties” was that farm machinery, crop cycles and cattle breeding was the discussion as that were our lives. I recall that I used to average 120 days of attendance of the 200 day requirement because family farm help came first.

Peter smiled when I related the story of my father receiving a letter from the Department of Education in Regina, demanding an explanation as to why his son, Elmer, was being delinquent in attendance. My father had not gone to school and could not read but recognizing the government seal on the envelope, he asked me to read it to him. I did not want to upset him as there was nothing he could do about the contents.

“What do they want?” he looked at me when he saw that I had finished reading.

I replied, “They are asking statistics as to how many cows, horses, chickens and other farm animals on the farm.”

“Could you answer then please,” he requested.

“No problem”

My Teacher, Peter knew the situation not only in our family but in many others. Most boys just were not able to keep abreast of studies and would take to farming or leave home to work in Winnipeg. I was fortunate enough to be able to cope with all and make the entry level requirement for university along with three others in my class.

It was already noon when we realized that it was time to break up this impromptu meeting as our stay at the Restaurant was perhaps beyond the normal customer welcome. It was time for me to take the sentimental journey.

Of course, I knew the drive to the family farm would be nostalgic. I could not help but note the tremendous growth of trees that literally oliberated the original farm yard. Only Mom’s irises continued to survive the gravelly soil bearing testament to Mom’s love of flowers when she first planted them. Her spirit could be felt as I walked around visualizing the once very busy yard with my dog Duke patrolling and my goat Billy, controlling the affairs of all the farm animals.

There were neither buildings nor animals about…..only the eeriness of the wind blowing through the Trembling Aspens, repeating and whispering the sounds that used to prevail there.

Tears came to my eyes as I turned the car around and trespassed over the wild grass that used to be the driveway into our yard and out to the roadway.

Mary’s grandson, Drew, had a summer job with A & W in Swan River. Mary drove him every day and so Maryilyn and I “tagged along”. We all got a chance to play VLTs on one of the Hotels.

Travelling past lush stands of Canola, Wheat, Barley and other grains, brought back memories of farming. In mid July, the deep colors and the patchwork mosaic were astounding;

1. Yellow in Canola
2. Deep Green in Barley
3. Lighter Green in Wheat
4. Blue in Flax
5. Purple in Alfalfa
6. Red in Clover

The aromas of each of these crops filled the air and added to this natural beauty that is our Canadian farmlands. Observing all this from the vantage point of Thunder Hill is also a scene to behold.

Although there are fewer farmsteads now; howver, the Hutterite and Mennonite presence is a huge success as they have been buying up the family farms when the Pioneers have aged and their children have gone off to higher learning and jobs in the “concrete jungles”. This is the pattern. A farmer relative of one of my friends in Kamasack, confirms that his cousin had sold his farms at $1,600 an acre to collect over $7 million from a Hutterite buyer.

The stories abound from alarmed farmers who are feeling the pressure to sell to overseas buyers like the Chinese and Europeans. They are aging and there is no one in the family to take over. It seems like yesterday that the Federal Government was offering land at the turn of the century for $5 a quarter section or $0.31 per acre. What happened?

Even the former Saskatchewan Wheat Pool has sold out to Viterra, a European corporation.

I went to visit nephew Dan Horkoff and then on to nephew Jason Morozoff who had flown his plane from Calgary to land on his farm a mile west of the Tolstoi School. He wasn’t going to miss Heritage Day in Veregin. I was treated to his radishes which he says are the best (they were good with beer).

I dropped in on Cousin Peter Verigin just a ½ mile west of Tolstoi School. His son Murray is living with him and keeping him company. He advised me that there were only two of them left at the Veregin “Drop-in Centre”. It was time to sell out and get rid of the Hall, Pool Table, Dishes and everything else as there was no one to look after it. What a shame!

Then I drove off to visit the retired Professors, Bill and his brother Jack Chernoff. There they were still farming (in retirement from their university teaching) the family farm which has only one full time resident, sister Dora. They live right across the road from the former Linden Valley School where both studied from grades one through eight inclusive. Bill and I drifted into the subject of Quantum Physics again while Jack “tolled his eyes” and questioned our sanity. Bill treated me to fresh garlic which he claimed would “smarten me up.”

Heritage Day in Veregin on Sunday, July 21, 2013 started with a Moleniya at 0930 hours led by my friend Keith Tarasoff. It was nice to also see many of our former choir members from the dated Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth:

• Mich Ozeroff
• Dorthy Ozeroff (nee Soukoroff)
• Mae Popoff (nee Chernoff)
• Peter Chernoff
• Irene Chernoff (nee Samarodin)
• Lydia Cherkas (nee Konkin)
• Dr Bill Chernoff

There were members of the dated Pelly Youth Choir:

• Fred Konkin
• Sonia Tarasoff (nee Konkin)

The ever harmonious Canora Choir was present along with many of the Saskatchewan Choir including Lorne and Verna Negreiff from Watson.

Those that were not at the Moleniya had been cooking since 0500 hours that morning preparing Bleenzsee and all the associated sauces which included:

• Saskatoon Berry
• Cranberry
• Strawberry
• Raspberry

Then there was the pure juices from all the above along with coffee or tea.

We were “allowed” four (4) pan-sized Bleenzsee as our quota but all I could see myself eating were two (2) and that is what I placed on my plate with all the sauces, whipped cream, etc.

I sat down on a table with many friends but what I noticed was this young lad of about nine (9) years of age who was very enthusiastically devouring his full helping and so the conversation went like this:

“What’s your name” I asked

“__? __ Shukin”, he responded between swallows.

I knew many Shukins and I thought maybe he maybe a grandson of one of them and so I asked “what was your grandfather’s name?”

He wasn’t sure but he confided that his family was from Yorkton.

“Were you able to eat all four (4) of your Bleenzee?” I smiled thinking that would have been quite an accomplishment for a small boy like him.

“This is my second plate of four (4),” he smiled.

“My goodness gracious,” I was impressed and proceeded to advertise around the table of this “he-manic” lad beside me and his poweress in eating Bleenzsee.

I had almost forgotten about him as we got into reminiscing with all the other folks at my table when I was alerted to an elbow poke from this Shukin boy as he smiled and advised “I just finished another two (2) more for a total of ten (10)”

This young lad could not get that smile of his face as he proudly accepted an accolade from our table.

As I looked around this building, I could imagine the history when farm machinery parts were brought here from many Equipment Manuafcturerers and assembled by the original CCUB and distributed throughout the prairie Provinces. Unbelievable what our Doukhobor ancestors were able to achieve.

Yes, they were selling loaves of bread that had been baked in the Doukhobor Oven. Perhaps even some of the loaves that I had been involved with on the Thursday training session I took under Keith Tarsoff. This was their museum fund raiser as they sold the loaves for $6 each. The entire event raised much needed $4,000.

There was an entertainment program following this brunch that included:

• Duet with Keith and Sonia Tarasoff
• Saskatchewan Doukhobor Choir
  • Yes I was invited to sing with this excellent choir. It was an honor to accept
  • Canora Doukhobor Choir
  • An accordion soloist Linda __?__
  • A musical singing trio from Pelly which included:
    • Peter and his wife Negraiff
    • A Restaurateur __?___
    • A local band of eight (8) musicians who played everything from Ukrainian folk songs to western music
      • An especial appreciation for me was that the band included
        • A retired school principal, __?__ Kondratoff on guitar who once was my neighbor
        • Friend Peter Cherkas on the fiddle
        • Nephew Dan Horkoff on the accordion
        • A nostalgic sound of the once very popular Cymballa played expertly by an Ukrainian mystrol
• They entertained us for over an hour to a rapt audience

On the way from the Doukhobor Museum, I noted the single grain elevator standing where once there was a row of seven. This was one of the two built by the former CCUB and then was purchased by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and now donated back to the museum. How wonderful if they could get it operational as a tourist attraction.

Well that day was far from being over as Keith and Sonia invited a gang of us to their farm for a social after which included:

1. The hosts of course
2. Mich and Dorthy Ozeroff
3. Jack and Jan Tarasoff
4. Marilyn and I

The jokes abounded and our old friends felt like fifty (50) years had not elapsed. We laughed and celebrated accordingly. Yes, we ate, did we ever eat the cooking that Sonia and Dorthy had created along with our barb-b-q expert Keith.

As I sat in the house my thoughts were on the former Dergousoff family that built this house. My mother had informed me that it was in this house where many socials were held when Peter Verigin Chiastako used to visit the Canora Doukhours back in the late 1930s. My mother would know as they were neighbors at that time, just across the still-existing pond.

I was born in a house across that pond that does not exist anymore. Yes, I was able to feel the vibrations and it almost seemed that I was communicating with all those spirits from that time.

Of course we sang! That was the traditional custom at Doukhobor socials. The more we sang the more gracious and accommodating were the hosts. What can I say…………it was difficult to excuse ourselves as we were expected in Benito that night.

There was a final day of visits on Monday, July 22, 2013. We started with Uncle Pete Popoff at the Kamsack Seniors Home who was always a pleasure to see in his 100 year, 10 month state where he still cooks his own breakfast then dresses like a gentleman to carry out his day with all the “old people” as he refers to them. What a positive nature and a deep memory for facts and recollections.

We then drove to see Cousin Florence Trofemenoff, still living on her farm just ½ mile North of Veregin. The visit and memories all had to be reviewed, laughed and cried about.

We had a predetermined appointment at the Veregin Ceremony at 4:00 P.M., where sister Mary and her daughter MaryAnne, Cousin Peter Verigin and son Tim, Nephew Jason Morozoff,   Bill and Jack Chernoff, Marilyn and I gathered to conduct a mini-service in memory of our parents, grandparents and many relatives. We prayed and we sang hymns to the rapt audience.

Next we were guests at Tim Verigin’s house in Veregin for an old fashioned Shishlik. This came the frozen remnants of Cousin David’s business. We had Lamb, chicken, pork and beef varieties. David (Mort’s) memory and spirit was certainly there amongst the invited guests:

• Mary Khadekin, son Kenneth and daughter Maryanne, her two sons Drew and John
• Peter Verigin and sons Tim and Murray
• Jason Morozoff
• Dr. Bill and Jack Chernoff
• __?__ and Nadia (ex-mayor of Veregin) Chernoff
• Their son, daughter-in-law and three children
• Randy and Barb Trofemenkoff
• There may have been others

We ate, sang, gossiped and reminisced.

Tim was proudly advising us that his son Tanner, a graduate in Dietary Science, received multiple scholarships to conduct graduate studies in various parts of the world. That was something to be proud of.

The next day we had a breakfast appointment with our friends Peter and Lydia Cherkas in a quaint restaurant in Kamsack. Peter was a retired Farmer and Lydia was  a retired Practical Nurse. Soon we came on the subject of his cousin who had sold his fatmers to the Hutterites. “Is it true Peter?” I asked. ‘Is he related to you?”

‘Yes, he is my cousin and it is true,” he answered. “No, there will not be a windfall for me!”

We went on about the times when we used to belong to the Saskatoon Doukhobor Youth Choir.

Our next objective was to check if Cousin Mike Verigin would be having his morning coffee next door in the Chinese Restaurant. Peter and Lydia went with us. Sure enough, there was was with a big smile on his face as her recognized us. He was proudly informing us as to the educational pursuits of his granddaughter and his great grandson. An elder Trofemenkoff came in and I recognized him as the President of the Kamsack Museum. There was much to talk about but we knew that we had to carry on and bid our adieus.

Then we were off to Regina to visit my former Pelly buddy Ernie and his wife Jane Paluck. What hospitality again. They continue to be very active in the Ukrainian community, volunteering for everything and been very busy at it. Ernie had to make breakfast the next morning and it was the usual farmer style with fried potatoes, eggs and too much bacon. Jane had to go early to a provincial Catholic meeting at Munster, near Humbolt.

I remembered that I had forgotten my hearing aid monitor at the Khadekins. Marilyn reminded me that I should smarten up in my old age.

It wasn’t until Moose Jaw while we were touring the underground caves, that the notorious Al Capone had used during prohibition, when Marilyn noticed her hearing aids were missing. She had tucked them under the pillow at Palucks and left them there. We returned to Regina to find that Ernie had left for the lake and so Marilyn had to rely on me raising my voice to communicate. There is nothing more comical that two hearing impaired people talking to each other above the normal background of car sounds.

Yes we realized that we were both getting senior and very vulnerable.

We stayed overnight in Swift Current and were in Calgary late the next afternoon to check in at Jason Morozoff’s house. Jason had his entire basement flooded in the Calgary flood and had to destroy his entire finishing, furnace, hot water tank, etc. He showed us around the neighborhood and described the levels of flood waters. That must have been frightening as well as frustrating.

Jason treated us to a visit to his favorite Italian Restaurant. I am not a fan of pizza but I admit the special oven baked variety right on the brick oven floor was scrumptious.

We used Jason’s house as a base and visited Aunt Flo Markin who was recovering from major surgery. We were pleasantly surprised to find Cousin Diana Lodon (Aunty’s daughter) there helping Aunty recover. We enjoyed recounting all the events of the wedding at Whatshan. It was obvious that the annual Whatshan summer holiday would continue with a Music Festival in 2014 with Aunty making strong suggestions as to who should be invited to entertain.

We returned to Jason’s place to find him preparing his favorite steak fry over a wood fire that evening. It was great to see nephew Sidney Trofemenkoff come down along with his friend Shelley. Later that evening Jason’s neighbor Dr Anita Hui came over with her two pet dogs. Jason brought his Russian Song Books out and he and I had to sing. I am not really sure how entertaining we were but we sang our hearts out and drowned out the Music Festival that was in progress down the street.

Jason is now in third year Engineering studies a few years following his graduation in Music in Victoria. The family business in Earth Sciences needed this additional expertise to survive in this very competitive business.

After a farmer’s breakfast, Marilyn and I departed for home. We tried my First Nations friend at Brocket (see my blog “Sentinel on the Prairies) and were saddened that his service station was shut down. I hope this is temporary.

We hurried to Fruitvale where our granddaughter Abby was celebrating her sixteenth birthday.

Many of our friends ask us the question “why do you guys go to Saskatchewan every year?” They believe a trip to Mexico or some exotic island is much more exciting.

We just smile!

We came back very refreshed and ready for the next chapters in the Grandview, Whatshan and Freedom Quest stories!

Elmer Verigin

Written August 17, 2013 and completed with many interruptions September 22, 2013