In the waning days of August, scrambling for some story material, several topics come to mind ......
We could write about the chilly weather we had right after the Corn and Apple Festival here in Morden, but that is becoming a yearly event. We could write about the shortfalls of the 2008 Corn & Apple Festival, but that would only fall on deaf ears. We could write about Michael McCain and the listeriois Maple Leaf Food Co., I’ll bet he wishes they had never had that family feud and were still on the McCain frozen potato side of things. We could write about the poor signage directing composters to the new composting site, but they will find that out soon enough on their own. And since when have the town fathers ever given us any proper direction? (Comrade Terry has addressed this in his article) We could write about the 86% of Canadian consumers who walk away from their store purchases after waiting too long for service, but why not wait till it reaches 100%, or the retail market crashes, whichever comes first. We could talk about the upcoming Federal Election, but who wants 24/7 coverage of that event - Steve, maybe? We could talk about the Portage-Lisgar election, but it has been decades since we have had one. Instead, we take the high road, and just have an appointment! Odd, when the Conservatives are pushing so hard for an elected Senate. We could talk about the election States-side. That evokes flashbacks to the 1960 Kennedy/Nixon election. But I was young, naïve, and idealistic then. Now I’m old, cynical, and more pragmatic. So there you have it - a collage of issues to tweak your discussions. Take your pick!
May your stuffing be tasty
During a recent supper at a friend’s, the subject of books was brought up. Scanning her bookshelf, the hostess mentioned a book of poems her cousin had written. That tweaked my interest! "Your cousin, you say?" “Yeah, my cousin’s hubby.” "Well then, let's have a peek." I skim through its pages, and become engrossed. It grips me, holds me, and utterly intrigues me! It’s like nothing I have read for some period of time. It is absolutely insightful, revealing, eloquent poetry. It’s about farming prior to the Agri- operations of today. It is a charming insight into all those seasons and events that occur during a lifetime of toil and affirmation. If you have any affinity for the soil, the seasons, or animal husbandry on the prairies, then this is your bond of kinship with that time. You will delight in these heart rending soliloquys, as they course through your veins. After years of these poems riding around in the toolbox of his tractor, Terry has dusted off the topsoil and polished up his work to be shared in a book. It is titled “Big Thoughts from a Small Farmer” 1988 -1999. It was written by Terry Jacobson who farms near Wales, North Dakota, just beyond Maida. I highly recommend this publication which can be had from the following Website: 
Congratulations to Harry Mortimer and his M.T.S. Volunteers for changing a drab M.T.S. display at the Pembina Threshermen’s Museum into a showcase exhibit worthy of it’s rural history. It is an excellent exhibit now of communication paraphernalia over the years and decades, displayed and labelled most appropriately. It is a fitting tribute to all the individuals who worked in the industry, to all the rural exchanges, the communities and its past history. Congratulations are also in order to the board members, the administrator, thier dedicated volunteers, in their continued efforts to upgrade and make this Museum more relevant. Why not take in there 40th Anniversary celebrations this Friday & Saturday September 5th & 6th. 2008, on Hwy #3 between Morden & Winkler. Do they have an iPhone?, not yet!
