Greenwater Report for June 17, 2001

The Greenwater Report for June 17, 2001

Greenwater Provincial Park - Sunday, June 17, 2001 - by: Gerald Crawford

chilly
June 17th, 2001: It's been quite cool the past week, with some very windy days. Yesterday was particularly chilly, only +7 at 8am, but nice and sunny.

pelican
I rode my bike down to the Beach Café; on the beach were three adult geese, numerous seagulls, and one lonesome pelican. It was sitting by itself, and kept its beak open. When I came along, it just swam out fifty feet or so, still with its beak open. Having trouble swallowing something?

geese
I'm told there are anywhere from twenty five to thirty one adult geese hanging around the beach area, but nobody seems to have seen any young yet. Seems to me they should be getting pretty big by now. Maybe something is getting to the eggs.

fireflies
Kirsten Clark told me she and Donn and the Gillings' were sitting on the deck the other night, admiring the fireflies. We used to see them in Manitoba, but it's the first time I have heard of fireflies in Saskatchewan, though Jenny says she has seen the odd one. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I sit in front of a computer monitor, and Doreen sits in front of the TV, every evening? Would enjoy hearing from other people who have seen them.

Porcupines
I moved to Saskatchewan from Winnipeg in 1945. Porcupines were quite common in Manitoba ˜ our dog used to have a run-in with one every summer ˜ but they were unknown in the part of Saskatchewan we moved to. It wasn't until the '50s that we started seeing the odd dead one on the road.

Rabbits
Rabbits are sure having their heyday. We see them by the dozens whenever we go for a walk or a ride, here in the core area and in Uskatik. They seem to like Doreen's lily buds; this year and last, they ate the buds just before they flowered; they also pruned some of our newly planted shrubs. It's a good thing I got rid of the old shotgun! Shouldn't we be overrun with foxes and coyotes by now?

health workers
The health workers' strike is over, and they are back at work. If you can believe the rhetoric, both sides had only the welfare of patients in mind when they went out. Much was made of the part played by volunteers during the strike, but I have to wonder did it just delay the settlement? Once again the innocent third party, the one that nobody listens to, is the one that gets hurt. When will we find a government with enough guts to outlaw strikes and lockouts, just as other violent crimes are outlawed? Civil disputes are settled by binding arbitration (the judge, and sometimes the jury). Why are labor disputes above the law?

Chickadee
Hollow Bed
and Breakfast
Lodge
Congratulations to Annette and Francis Dube on the opening of their Chickadee Hollow Bed and Breakfast Lodge. They had a grand opening and tea on June 3rd, with the tea being hosted by the Kelvington Heritage Society, and lots of people came to see. We had planned to go, but were unable to. The Lodge actually opened last fall for parties of hunters. It is thirteen miles north of Kelvington, just off Highway 38, and as far as I know is the first one in the area. Wishing you success, Annette and Francis!

fishing
I know you are all dying to know how the fishing has been, but it's a bit hard to assess. Merv hasn't been out much; the Rennebergs have been, but when I ask George about it, he gets all mad and defensive because Helen outfishes him every time. Doreen wants to try fishing now that we live right beside the lake. She was going to buy basic fishing gear at Cabela's, but was intimidated by the sheer volume they offer. I have a stubby rod, a waist pack, and five or six lures that hardly have any rust on them. I got them in 1981 when I went on a fishing trip in the mountains (I only fished for ten minutes, but I took lots of photos!), but Doreen says she can't cast with those stupid old reels. Sandra dug into her fishing gear and found two rods, two reels, a small box and an assortment of lures for her to try, but so far it's been too windy. Once she gets organized and starts fishing regularly, I will be able to keep you right up to date.

Gerald B. Crawford
Box 100, Chelan, SK S0E 0N0 (306) 278-3423 Check out my Webpage: http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/crawg


The Greenwater Report for June 17, 2001
Greenwater Provincial Park - Sunday, June 17, 2001 - by: Gerald Crawford

chilly	June 17th, 2001: It's been quite cool the past week, with some very windy days. Yesterday was particularly chilly, only +7 at 8am, but nice and sunny.

pelican	I rode my bike down to the Beach Café; on the beach were three adult geese, numerous seagulls, and one lonesome pelican. It was sitting by itself, and kept its beak open. When I came along, it just swam out fifty feet or so, still with its beak open. Having trouble swallowing something?

geese	I'm told there are anywhere from twenty five to thirty one adult geese hanging around the beach area, but nobody seems to have seen any young yet. Seems to me they should be getting pretty big by now. Maybe something is getting to the eggs.

fireflies	Kirsten Clark told me she and Donn and the Gillings' were sitting on the deck the other night, admiring the fireflies. We used to see them in Manitoba, but it's the first time I have heard of fireflies in Saskatchewan, though Jenny says she has seen the odd one. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I sit in front of a computer monitor, and Doreen sits in front of the TV, every evening? Would enjoy hearing from other people who have seen them.

Porcupines	I moved to Saskatchewan from Winnipeg in 1945. Porcupines were quite common in Manitoba ˜ our dog used to have a run-in with one every summer ˜ but they were unknown in the part of Saskatchewan we moved to. It wasn't until the '50s that we started seeing the odd dead one on the road.

Rabbits	Rabbits are sure having their heyday. We see them by the dozens whenever we go for a walk or a ride, here in the core area and in Uskatik. They seem to like Doreen's lily buds; this year and last, they ate the buds just before they flowered; they also pruned some of our newly planted shrubs. It's a good thing I got rid of the old shotgun! Shouldn't we be overrun with foxes and coyotes by now?

health workers	The health workers' strike is over, and they are back at work. If you can believe the rhetoric, both sides had only the welfare of patients in mind when they went out. Much was made of the part played by volunteers during the strike, but I have to wonder did it just delay the settlement? Once again the innocent third party, the one that nobody listens to, is the one that gets hurt. When will we find a government with enough guts to outlaw strikes and lockouts, just as other violent crimes are outlawed? Civil disputes are settled by binding arbitration (the judge, and sometimes the jury). Why are labor disputes above the law?

Chickadee Hollow Bed and Breakfast Lodge	Congratulations to Annette and Francis Dube on the opening of their Chickadee Hollow Bed and Breakfast Lodge. They had a grand opening and tea on June 3rd, with the tea being hosted by the Kelvington Heritage Society, and lots of people came to see. We had planned to go, but were unable to. The Lodge actually opened last fall for parties of hunters. It is thirteen miles north of Kelvington, just off Highway 38, and as far as I know is the first one in the area. Wishing you success, Annette and Francis!

fishing	I know you are all dying to know how the fishing has been, but it's a bit hard to assess. Merv hasn't been out much; the Rennebergs have been, but when I ask George about it, he gets all mad and defensive because Helen outfishes him every time. Doreen wants to try fishing now that we live right beside the lake. She was going to buy basic fishing gear at Cabela's, but was intimidated by the sheer volume they offer. I have a stubby rod, a waist pack, and five or six lures that hardly have any rust on them. I got them in 1981 when I went on a fishing trip in the mountains (I only fished for ten minutes, but I took lots of photos!), but Doreen says she can't cast with those stupid old reels. Sandra dug into her fishing gear and found two rods, two reels, a small box and an assortment of lures for her to try, but so far it's been too windy. Once she gets organized and starts fishing regularly, I will be able to keep you right up to date.

	Gerald B. Crawford Box 100, Chelan, SK S0E 0N0 (306) 278-3423 Check out my Webpage: http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/crawg