We spent a busy time at Whatshan which started with Work Party #4 that involved completing the foundation and hand mixing concrete July 5 through 07 on the new project, BANYA / VOLUNTEER SERVICES BUILDING.

We then volunteered for the Whatshan Jam that the younger members organized from July 08 through 10, 2016. This was a beautiful occasion attended by 220 persons from all walks of life but all were interested in what was happening at the Whatshan Lake Retreat. Along with great Musicians, many gathered to “jam” around a campfire after their presentations on stage in the evening.

It was great to have the extended Markin Family that formed a “Spirit Circle” with many others, to celebrate Flo Markin’s presence in spirit this year. It was great to meet so many young people that were there for their first time. Welcome!

We returned to Castlegar July 11, 2016 so that Marilyn could complete preparations for a summer picnic for all our senior neighbors at Grandview that was held July 14, 2016. The Committee of dedicated fellow seniors did well to make about forty enjoy all the great “pot luck” dishes that was more than what we could all eat. The highlight was when Bob Dyke introduced his wife. Larissa, who had just recently emigrated from Ukraine. What a beautiful person!

So Marilyn was then able to initiate preparations for our Saskatchewan 2016 Vacation that started at 1100 hours, on Friday, July 15, 2016. Yes Elmer drove while Marilyn caught a “few deserved winks”.

The Crowsnest Pass was a new experience that the Verigins saw for the first time in their sixty first trip through………..tornado clouds! We had witnessed this unique cloud formation on television but it was frightening to be in the midst of this suddenly. There was the typical layering and the low lying ominous black cloud that threatened to form its devastating column. The formation moved quickly to the East to Taber and well ahead of us. The Lethbridge radio informed us of the tornado warning and we wondered about following so closely.

We encountered heavy rains and decided that Medicine Hat was about all we could handle for the first day. To our surprise we found that our dome light could not be shut off and the dash showed an engine icon along with a temperature icon which indicated issues that could only be handled by a Ford Dealership.

We started at 0700 hours as we were invited to a dinner in Canora scheduled at the Sonia Tarasoff farm for 5:00 P.M. We knew that many of our friends would be there and it was an event that we did not want to miss nor be late. Let’s see how our 2010 Focus reacts and we can drop in the Ford Dealership in Swift Current where we received great attention last year when we had a minor accident.

Marilyn caught a “few more winks” as I monitored the icons on my dash that would periodically come on but not flash that would warn of eminent motor issues. The temperature gauge would go off for a few kilometers and when it went back on again it indicated a regular operating engine. Hmmmmmmmmmmm, well we should be good to Swift Current which was dead ahead.

It was Saturday but the “skeleton” crew at the Ford dealership in Swift Current gave preference to a “Visitor” from British Columbia (I mentioned the fact that Marilyn and I were actually displaced Saskachwonians) and the Technician placed Focus on his scope immediately.

The dome light was an easy fix but a faulty temperature sensor would require a part to be ordered from Edmonton that would require us staying until Tuesday. Not acceptable! We have to be in Canora at 5:00 P.M.!

So they “haywired” an interim fix which should be able to work until we are back in Trail and spent $345.73 to be on the road again after a 2 1/2 hour delay. “It should work” was the parting words and after a few kilometers the icons came right back. For the same reason as the one why we could not wait till Tuesday, we carried on as the apparent issue was a sensor and not the actual thermostat.

We were now under pressure to get to Canora and the dinner flashed through my mind as I expected Kaleena (Cranberry) tarts which are my favorite after Saskatoons. Good thing we were on a 110 km/hr divided highway. Of course I did not speed.

The ripening yellow Canola fields provided such positive promise of good yields for farmers. Yes I know that an experienced farmer only measures the yield once it is the bin but the frequent rainfall, obviously, was bring optimism to heartlands of the prairies.

The ever present winds swayed the wheat crops to duplicate the waves on an ocean that  seemed endless as the large open field disappeared into the horizons. Yes, I mused to myself, “you can take the kid off the farm but it was more difficult to take the farm out of the kid.”

Well the texting with Dorthy Ozeroff was well under way. “What is your estimated ETA?” Yes they were paving the road between Swift Current and Moose Jaw so that had to be factored in to the estimates.

We just about got lost on the roads North of Canora and another text got us orientated and we rushed in at 5:30 P.M. to a group of about 16 people that included:

1. Mitch and Dorthy Ozeroffs
2. Sonia Tarasoff
3. Irene Chernoff
4. Jack and Jan Tarasoffs from Calgary
5. Fred and Eileen Konkins
6. Lucille and Mellvina Dergousoffs from the dated Canora Choir
7. Sonia’s daughter Corina Farbacher, her daughter Nicole and son Max
8. Anthea Radford, Corina’s friend from Saskatoon
9. Gloria Stushnoff

It was great to see everyone and yes, I did get Kaleena Peresshkee!

No gathering of this sort would be complete unless we sang some traditional Russian songs. Wow, our friends maybe aging but their voices remain strong.

This may be our last visit to this home that Keith and Sonia renovated from the original Dergousoff homestead. I was born across the pond from here back in 1940. My mother often talked about this house as it was a popular visiting place for Peter (Chistaikov) Verigin, Leader of the CCUB. She was referring to the noise and obvious enjoyment that everyone was having there. With Keith’s passing last February, Sonia has no choice but to reluctantly sell the property and relocate to her house in Saskatoon. We wish her well!

Marilyn and I bid our adieus as we would see all at the Heritage day again Sunday, in Veregin, and off we continued to Benito, Manitoba to see our sister Mary Khadekin.

After questioning whether we may be hungry (the first question always asked on the prairies), my sister spoils me rotten as she always has my favorite Scotch and sufficient ice cubes. What a way to relax after a long journey!

An early wakening that Sunday as Molenniya was scheduled for 0930 hours to start Heritage Day in Veregin. A combined effort by Eileen Konkin and Lydia Cherkas made the traditional prayer service very interesting. The assembled voices from former choirs made the singing beautiful in the 99 year old “Dome” originally constructed under the direction of Peter Lordly Verigin. If the walls could talk, I am sure they would agree that tradition was achieved again in 2016.

Everyone was encouraged to rush over and get in line for the Bleenee that volunteers had prepared starting early that morning. There was an abundance of melted butter, Saskatoon Berry Syrup, fresh Strawberries, whipped cream and regular syrups to garnish a stack of four pan-sized  Bleenee, folded in half, the traditional way. There were fruit juices and coffee along with the friendly smiles. Oh yes, there was the rushing huggers from friends and relatives.

The Veregin Village Museum uses this event as their major fund-raiser. Bread baked in the Petch is also sold along with 50-50 draws and raffle tickets.

After all the visiting reached a crescendo, the entertainment program started at 1:00 P.M. The program included the Saskatchewan Doukhobor Choir along with musical presentations and a lady duet stole the event with a harmonized rendition of many popular songs ending with a Ukrainian version of Chorneyee Brovee.

Laughing is the best medicine they say, two ladies disguised as “Katrina”

and “Tonya of the Mudderland”

(note Tonya’s shoe style) had us all in stitches as they portrayed farm ladies with heavy Slavic accents. They call themselves “cousins”. Tonya even kissed me as she came off the stage. I should get her real name?

I “surveyed” this building that is being currently used as an Assembly Room but had also served as a Curling Rink at one time. It was first built by the Christian Communities of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB) in the 1920s. I was advised by some that its original use was as an Assembly Plant by the CCUB to assemble premade parts from various Machinery Manufacturers that would ship and have the CCUB assemble them into operating Binders, Mowers, Cultivators and other implements. The final product would then be sold and distributed by the CCUB to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. I also heard that someone has pictures of the assembled equipment all lined up on a railing siding ready for shipment. I decided right then and there, that I needed to document a story on this subject as well as the business operation of the CCUB.

I already had a map of Verigin that was surveyed by The Western Fire Underwriters Association in 1923 and revised in July 1929. I noted that the name on the Plan was VERIGIN. At some point in time the legal name was established as VEREGIN. (That may need further investigation). This plan clearly showed the full development of the lands owned by CCUB which were all located South of the Canadian National Railway along with the occupants on the North side on various lots in the downtown area. That would be my starting point.

We had an invitation to Murray and Tim Verigin’s farm for Shishliki. The farm was 4 1/2 miles NW of Veregin that took us past the cemetery where most of my relatives have found their final “home”. Sister Mary along with my cousin Merelyn Hilt (Verigin) stopped there to pay our respects. The ladies allowed me to sing a Russian solo about the Postman on his last route.

At the farm, we got to meet another group of friends and relatives that included:

1. Tim and Murray Verigin (nephews)
2. Merelyn (Verigin) Hilt (1st cousin)
3. Randy (nephew) and Barbara Trofemenkoff
4. Danny (cousin) and Adeline Horkoff
5. Mary Khadekin (sister)
6. Kenneth Khadekin (nephew)
7. Marrianne Bylow (Niece)
8. Brad Kramer (Employee of neighbor Jason Morozoff)
9. Stephen Perepolkin (Friend of Tim and Murray)
10. Harold Holoboff (Friend of Tim and Murray)

The Shishliki were frying and the “spirits” flowing. It was nice to see everyone, the presence of deceased Cousin Peter Verigin along with his wife, Peter’s parents and son David that all lived at that homestead was felt as well.

What can I say about the Saskatchewan hospitality…..it comes from the heart and is natural.

Tim handled the chicken and Stephen the Lamb.

Monday morning had me on the way to Pelly to see who might still be around at the Penguin Café. On my way there I stopped at the Doukhobor cemetery, 3 miles East of Pelly along Highway 49. I needed to pay reverence to former Pelly Choir who were instrumental in encouraging me to sing Russian songs. Yes, I sang the song about the Last Route of the Postman again as it fitted my memories of the Slastukin, Strukoff, Rezansoff and many other dedicated families.

Nick Nahorove and John MacLise were there along with many I did not know. Conversation brought me up to date on last year’s fire that destroyed the Pelly Museum which was also my school for grades 4 through 12. There was no insurance and a tax levy of $80 a household was set to clean up the site which included dealing with asbestos that coated the wood furnace and heating system. It was sad to miss all those that used to laugh their way through coffee and talk about what the Lions Club had been doing in the community. Perhaps not so much now.

On my way to visit our former farm 3 1/2 miles NE of Pelly, I noted a lot of people at the George Strukoff fram so I drove in. Family and friends were busy looking after the yard in preparation for an Auction Sale in August as George was terminally ill with rectal cancer.

The trip to the farm noted that the former driveway had no access from the road. It is something that seemed part of what is taking place on most former homesteads that were created for every 1/4 section (160 acres). Every family had to start from nothing to build their dreams:

• House
• Barn
• Chicken Coop
• Cattle Shelter
• Equipment storage and Repair Shop
• There was usually a tree-lined driveway to each farm

With the large wide equipment these days and width being an issue, those driveways have grown in, the buildings have deteriorated or were destroyed. The 1/4 section dreams are now a minimum economic 10 sections (6,400 acres). Canola was just about 80% choice of the crops that I could see with very few farmers living on the farm. Large shining galvanized steel bins hug the roadsways for ease of access in all kinds of weather.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2016, I travelled alone to Veregin to attend coffee at the Drop-in Centre. Just outside of Benito, I hit a road marker (paving was in process) and had a flat tire. Ouch!

I had been invited by Lawrence Kazakoff who said that they met at 0600 hours, but I ended up waiting until 0645. He gave me a royal tour. He expressed pride in their achievement since the older generation that had originated the idea in the former Jamaga Store with the adjacent community hall (Palace Gardens as it was called then). All had been decimated and the buildings fell into disrepair.

But now completed renovations included:

1. Roof repair
2. Washrooms renovation
3. Kitchen renovations
4. They were waiting for the front windows to be delivered so that the front end could be renovated

Lawrence brewed the coffee and soon the following arrived:

1. Barry Reibin (left rear)
2. Jack Chernoff (right rear)
3. Lawrence Kazakoff (right front)
4. Jason Morozoff (left before picture taken)
5. Alex Cherewyk (left rear)

I returned to Benito and that afternoon we went to Kamsack with sister Mary and visited:

1. George Strukoff at Kamsack Hospital (George passed away July 22, 2016)
   1. Saw his sister Mary and her husband
   2. Saw his twin brother Alex and his wife
   3. Virginia his wife
2. Pete Popoff (married to my Dad’s sister Anne Verigin) at the Care Centre at 104 years young
3. Mike Verigin (1st cousin) at Eagleston (Mike passed away August 07, 2016 of congestive heart failure at the aqe of 86), see tribute in my blog
4. Fannie Slastukin (married to Fred, 2nd cousin to my Dad) at Eaglestone
   1. Met her daughter Margaret who was visiting her
5. Florence (Verigin) Trofemenkoff at her farm 1/2 mile N of Veregin

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Marilyn and I had a lunch appointment with Lydia and Peter Cherkas in Kamsack. It was so great to visit with these people who we knew for a long time. A highlight was when we had an impromptu visit from author G.D. Bennecke who wrote two books:

• Promised Land Book One Love and Hate
• Promised Land Book Two Home and Family

The unique thing about this man is that his ancestors were also sent to Urkust at the same time as the Doukhobors. He is a cousin to a former classmate of mine Leonard Benneke. I will need to read and see what he has to say in print.

We continued with a visit to the Kamsack Museum so that Marilyn could purchase his books. Peter and Lydia, both Board Directors were proud to show us around.

We had promised Dan and Adeline Horkoff that we would drop in to their farm near the former White Sand School. We were very fortunate as we also able to visit with Dan’s 2 sisters and their partners. The treat was chatting with their daughter Lindsay, who is partners in a E-cigarette distributing company in USA.

Those present were as follows:

1. Dan(Nephew) and Adeline Horkoff
2. Daughter Lindsay Westlake
3. Bev (sister)
4. Carol (sister)
5. Partner Blaine Walsh

Thursday, July 21, 2017 found me travelling the various back roads again but this time I drove to Canora as I wanted to walk over to the farm where I was born. This was just across the pond from Tarasoffs. Both farms were once owned by Dergousoffs.

I walked up to the well pump and smiled as I was told that brother Lawrence was coming home from Pheonix School with brother Russel, at the time of my birth, and explained my birth to him as I was “pulled” out of the well that my father had been excavating at that time. Maybe that is why I was always “wet behind the ears”. I also had a nice visit with Sonia Tarsoff and went on my way.

I had heard that Jason Morozoff was in the process of moving his “Retreat” back from the eroding Whitesand River bank that was undermining the building. I was surprised that river was too high to allow passage along the concrete ford in the road just before the site.

I decided to go back to the Morozoff farm where Jason’s brother, Mathew started raising 21 sheep. Here is an example of a successful Developer from Calgary wanting to “get his hands dirty”. His grandfather Alex, would be very happy that the farm had animals again.

I drove the back way to Benito past the sites of the former CCUB Doukhobor Villages. It was easy to see where the villages were located as the transplanted maple trees were used as wind breaks and the horse radish continues to mark the gardens.

I returned to Benito soon after Marilyn and Mary got back from Swan River. Marilyn is addicted to shopping in that town for some reason. We enjoyed quite time with Sister Mary and we entertained ourselves by weeding her garden.

Friday morning, July 22, 2016, we started on our way to Langham to our next “marshalling place” at Dorothy and Michael Ozeroffs. Sonia Pryslak had called us to advise that my old school chum and university room-mate Tony and his wife Louise were visiting her from Winnipeg and wanted to see us. Fred and Eileen Konkin had also called to invite us to their farm in Pelly. So we convinced all to meet us at Pelly for coffee at the Links Restaurant. It was a wonderful chance to visit and bring us all up to date. there just did not seem enough time to conduct thorough visits with all these beautiful people.

The four hour journey along Highway 16 took us by all those places that I used to pass in the years when I travelled to Saskatoon to the University of Saskatchewan from Pelly and then from Benito. Each community brought out fond and nostalgic memories. Yes the flour mill grinding stones still stood as sentinels on the North side of the highway just outside of Buchanan, marking a time when they were busy grinding flour in the Doukhobor community flour mill. The community of Peswigin is highlighted in my blog with that name and I giggled remembering the now retired Dr. William Chernoff and his speech in the Pub asking to meet the President of the Chamber of Commerce because we were “naughty” on their entrance sign.

Saskatoon always seems larger than the last time we were there as Circle Drive streamlines us around the U of S as it takes us back to Highway 16 and on to Langham. I recall designing Circle Drive in our lab project for Highway Engineering at the U of S with Russell Kowch from Norquay. Another smile!

Welcomes are always warm at the Ozeroffs as they had a treat with their daughter Tanya, husband Dale and children Josh and Tammy all ready for dinner. A delightful experience with young people. Dale brought us up to date on what was happening to Saskatoon from the administrative perspective.

Saturday morning, July 23, 2016 had Marilyn go visit her aging Aunt Ann (Dergousoff) Verishine and her cousin. Kathleen. Mitch and I had a mission to check on their son’s, Darrell family dog Charlie. There was much thunder and lighting the night before which was not Charlie’s favorite pass time and so the family had left the garage door open for Charlie to hide while they spent a few days at the lake.

Charlie was just fine and he wagged his tail as Mitch threw him some biscuit treats. The grandeur of the modern farm was there to behold with all the shining steel bins, equipment and a spotless farm yard that is an example of Darrell’s adherence to all details and pride as a farmer.

That afternoon we attended a yearly community Shishliki barb-b-q at Henreitta School.

This Marilyn’s public school in the year’s grades 1 through 8. There were many people there that were known to Marilyn such as:

1. Leonard (cousin) and Connie Verishine
2. Harvey (cousin) and Diane Verishine
3. Lance (Harvey’s son) Verishine
4. Jade (nephew) and Marni Verishine and family
5. Alex and Elaine (cousin) Derkachenko
6. Ryan Nemineschin (head barb-b-qer)
7. about 60 others

A slightly different recipe but still a delightful occasion and good visiting.

Sunday, July 24, 2016 involved a group project of pitting sour cherries. Dorthy got her two grandchildren organized along with Marilyn and they handled some 9 ice cream pails in preparation for future pies. Mitch and I had a baseball game to watch and a tot of Scotch.

That afternoon we were invited to Darrell’s family farm for barb-b-q dinner It was great to enjoy the farm atmosphere and experience the hospitality:

On Monday, July 25, 2016 we went to the Pakrovka cemetery to visit the resting place of Marilyn’s father and mother as well as many relatives. There we sang two hymns and paid reverence to all that lie there. To the East is the remains of the Doukhobor communal village Pakrovka after which the cemetery got its name. A beautiful setting on the brow of the hill that sloped to the North Saskatchewan River.

We were invited for Dinner to the farm of Leonard and Connie Verishine. We took this opportunity to visit Jade and Marnie Verishine which are directly across from the farm of Jeff and Tracey Verishine, (Jade’s brother) and both Matilyn’s nephews. Jade was away at work but we had a great visit with Marie and sons Levi and Jacob.

We took a slow drive to Loenard’s farm a mile to the West but just had stop so that Marilyn could look for arrowheads. Historically, this was the area where the First Nations would camp and it may be where battles took place as there were many arrow heads found over the years.

The main entrée was Northern Pike that Connie caught and was expertly filleted so that it was like eating Pickerel. Wow what cooks they have here on the prairies! Connie is part of that tradition. There was even apple pie from their own orchard.

Many pictures hang on the wall that record roundup days when Leonard, his bother Harvey, their sons would lasso the young heifers for branding. A formidable bunch that would lower John Wayne to amateur level.

We still time to drop in on Jeff and Tracey and son Alix as they continue to renovate the former homestead of grandfather Alex Verishine (Marilyn’s home). They showed us their plans to construct a retirement home as soon as their house in Saskatoon sells. Already the expensive gas and power services are installed and about 10 acres of mowed grass is prepared for this construction.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016 we travelled into Saskatoon to visit Sonia Tarasoff at her retirement home. We followed  Mitch and Dorthy to ensure we did not get lost. We enjoyed great conversation and visit while Sonia explained how the Doukhobors in Blaine Lake and Saskatoon areas were in the process of developing a CD to assist in conducting a Doukhobor Prayer Service. Ryan Androsoff is applying his knowledge and resources to complete same.

That afternoon we visited with Donna (Tarasoff) Hunchak at her apartment. We were joined later by Ruth (Tarasoff) and John Sirota. Both Ruth and Donna became like sisters to me when I boarded for 1 1/2 years at the Tarasoff house on 401 Avenue H. Their brother Keith was my room-mate and that was a memory that will make anyone smile.

I took my car to the Merlin Motors in Saskatoon to see if we could resolve the temperature sensor issue. Yes a part was necessary from Edmonton and I could have it all installed Wednesday A.M. This was a treat as I met Tim Morrow, Business Development Manager with responsibility for Nelson Ford in Nelson, B.C. as well as Saskatoon. It was a small world as he knew Roger Woodhouse (my son-in-law Rick’s brother) Tim was from “small town” Saskatchewan so it was a pleasant hour that we chatted.

Marilyn was shopping at this time and after we caught up with each other we went to Marilyn’s 1st cousin Elaine (Maloff) and Alex Derkachenko for the night. This was base where we visited from for the next few days

On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, Marilyn joined her two cousins Elaine Derkachenko and Donna Henderson to visit their mother and Marilyn’s Aunt Alice Maloff (Podowinikoff) at the Care Centre. I took the opportunity to have a rest.

We all met at the Diamond Restaurant where we had a just a great Lunch:

1. Alex and Elaine Derkachenko
2. Larry and Donna henerson
3. Marilyn and I

This was Klassic Auction afternoon where Jade and Tracey Verishine, together with their family have an auction. It is just great to see the entire family participate in the many ways that are necessary for a successful auction. Their son Alex has learned the art of Auctioneer and can match the professionals on staff.

Thursday, July 28, 2016, I needed to be at Merlin Motors at 0700 hours to get the temperature senor installed. Everything worked well now and Marilyn and I left for Calgary.

We did not realize how tired both od were and decided to overnight in Strathmore. We tried connecting with Paul and Mildred Shukin so that we could deliver the two Konkin Family LPs he wanted but it appears that they were not in Calgary.

We had an appointment at Pure North at 0900 hours Friday, July 29, 2016 and took advantage of Wendy’s advice to go to the Ookatoks Costco. We decided that we would just go home.

Castlegar looked very good to us when it came to view from the cutoff.

Many of our friends ask why we keep going to Saskatchewan as “there is nothing there.” Well Marilyn and I are convinced that there is enough there that we will likely go back for the 100 year celebration planned at Veregin in 2017.

After many interruptions, Elmer posted this final entry at 1945 hours August 08, 2016