Elmer’s Diary Entry Dated July 19, 2013
Mary Khadekin Residence, Benito, Manitoba, 1635 hours
I took the nostalgic trip to Pelly, Saskatchewan this morning, hoping so that I would be able to take a cup of coffee with the locals at the Penguin Café. My first pleasant surprise was being asked by those on the veranda “so what part of B.C., are you from?”
“Castlegar” met with a knowing nod as they continued to sip their coffee, the three gentlemen seated there.
I had met the interesting Proprietor during the 2011 Pelly Centennial Celebrations and in true prairie hospitality, she walked out of the Penguin with a steaming cup of coffee “Peter wants you to come in!” she reported.
“Peter who?” I queried but did not hear the identity.
“I will be there in a minute as I finish my chat with these guys,” I added.
I continued to identify exactly who I was and what I was doing in town as all this is very important stuff for these farmers who were obviously either semi or totally retired. This involves locating my exact farm where I grew up. Besides this will be news that will be carried on from one to the other for a few weeks.
“Two miles East and 1 ½ miles North of Pelly was where I grew up and I am the Verigin family,” I located and identified myself.
“Oh yes that was a mile West of John Rezansoff father’s farm …..Across from Kondratoffs, wasn’t it?” one of the men zeroed in on the location.
“John used to play in a band that entertained at dances and other local events.” As he became increasingly friendly breaking out in a smile.
“That’s the guy alright!” as we bantered about people of that vintage (late 50’s and during the 60’s).
A fellow came out the door which I recognized as John MacLise, older brother of my classmate Roberta MacLise. “You still pushing that Tractor around the field or did you learn to drive it now?” I quipped.
“A lot better than walking behind horses,” he shot back with recognition. “What are you doing in town?”
“Just thought I should see if you guys are looking after the place.”
I then followed his path into the Penguin to see which Peter was there. Sure enough it was Peter Negraeff and his wife Sylvia, smiling in a welcome that was very meaningful to me. Peter was my Educator from grades 8 through 12 in various subjects. He was more than that….he was my Mentor!!
We finished our hearty hugs and started to catch up on where we left off some two years previous.
“There are some who are Educators and others are just Teachers”, I began my appreciation to this man who had made such a significant contribution to developing my character and influencing my life.
“I will never forget how you were the reason that I write today. You inspired me to do so in grade 12 English.” I became increasingly enthused in the recollection of that memorable time in this chance meeting.
Sylvia (also a Teacher) was moved by my comments “It is rare that one meets their students and get thanked for what we do.”
“I am fortunate to be able to identify myself to my Mentor as his prodigy”, I continued. “I think of you a great deal and now I can thank you in person.”
We carried on about how his family of Negraeffs lived next door to my family Northeast of Canora, on a farm where I was born.
“You know that I am the last one of nine children that is still alive,” Peter was pensive for a moment. “I am 89 years of age!”
I could not help but notice that he was looking in good health along with his wife, Sylvia who was much younger.
“I hear you still entertain almost everywhere,” I was really enquiring rather than making a statement of fact.
“Yes we actually played last night in MacKenzie Park at the North end of Main Street,” they informed me. “We also play at Heritage Day in Veregin on Sunday. Are you going to be there?”
“That is one of the reasons that I am in the area. I want to enjoy that celebration this weekend,” I responded.
“How’s Jack Henderson?” I enquired.
“He has had an operation on his rectum to remove a large part of the growth there. He has had two Chemo Treatments so far and his daughter has taken him back to Saskatoon for another treatment yesterday,” they advised.
“Is it malignant?”
“We were advised that he may have had the growth there for a long time now. We are not sure of any spread through the body,” Sylvia further informed me.
And so we hugged each other and bid adieus to meet again on Sunday in Veregin.
As I write this I have a smile in appreciation of a truly serious Educator and my Mentor. It is not often that one is able to express their feelings to someone who has provided a path as such an Educator to his student. All this took place in one life time.
Elmer Verigin
Ring Bound Sketch Book. Transcribed October 09, 2013
Elmer Verigin 
Elmer, ah! the stories from Saskatchewan.One’s roots make for greater appreciation of the stories from there. I have been busy doing reno stuff on fences, etc., so am late getting out my response on you stories. Your mention of the landmark “Thunder Hill” reminds me of another called “Buffalo Hump”. It is located to the west and one bright , sunny winter day, Fred Chernoff and I decided to cross-country ski to this topographic feature. We did not pack a lunch, thinking that we would be back by noon. Well it was near dark when we returned, feasting on frozen cranberries. When we looked at the map, we had coverred 34 miles by round trip. We were young and strong but also very, very tired after that venture.
Your teacher story about Peter Negraeff also tweaked extra interest. My father was on the school board with Walter Strukoff and were looking for some new teachers. Peter had only completed one year of his two-year Normal School course but was hired with the promise to upgade his skills through summer courses. As you say, the rest is history.
Your description of the clay-oven is interesting, as I did not realize that there was a required geometric design to make it work. My Mother’s uncle had one on his farm located 4 miles northof Mikado, on the banks of the White Sand River that you mention in some of your chronicles.
Thanks for the humour of two seniors with forgtten or misplaced hearing aids.
Always good to hear another new story.
Tony
Tony:
Too early this morning as this is my second attempt to answer you.
I thought you were threshing somewhere but I see you were just tending to your own type of harvest.
I had just sent you an email wondering what happened to you. There we go again, spiritual communication! We are starting to scare Lousie and Marilyn but we are having fun with these experiences.
Of interest, I suddenly felt that I should call brother Lawrence who just lives some 800 meters down this street as I had not heard from him. About 8 rings later a weak voice responded to my enquiry as “how are you doing?” with “not so good!”
I went over and there he was still in his pjammas at 4:30 in the afternoon.
“I’m dizzy and can’t stand up!”
He respnded to my suggestion that I drive him to Emergency with “I don’t think I could sit up.”
I called the ambulance and the short story is that he had blood clots forming in his left swollen lag (which he told he was nothing) and floating up to his lungs. They were accumulating there and causing his shortness of oxygen and stress on his heart.
It is obvious that it would not have taken long before I would have lost him.
Call it sibling mental telepathy or some wqould suggest pure luck, but you and I know differently.
He is in ICU now responding favorably to clot dissolving medication, slowly, so as not to dislodge more clots with the resulting dangers.
So when do you and I continue with our rearch into that dimension? Yes, I would like it face to face over a wine ASAP.
Elmer.
Blog Note:
Peter passed away suddenly just before Christmas in 2013. How fortunate I was that I was able to visit and share with him.
Yes the last of that Negraeff family is now with all the rest.
Elmer