A Delightful B-Themed Day

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Children had a chance to discover all the bright parts of spring at the Kalyna Family Resource Network (KFRN)-Vegrevile and Area Stay and Play on April 12.

KFRN-Vegreville Spokes Programmer Kailyn Kuhn explained, “Twenty kids attended. In this program, the children were able to share what they knew about each of the three words from the theme that started with the letter B- birds, butterflies, and bees and they could ask questions if they were interested in learning more information about them.

I had three crafts set up, one for each of the B's. As well, we celebrated the birthday of Connor Higenell who turned one on April 12.”

Jaxon Trommel also turned five on April 12 but his party was on April 11 at the (KFRN) Stay and Play program.

When asked to give a review of (KFRN), Jaxon’s mother Christina Trommel said her two children attend the programs frequently. “We like (KFRN). It is very family-oriented and it offers a great learning environment for my kids. Also, it is a great way to meet people.”

Industrious Sylvia O'Shea Liked the Good Old Days

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Sylvia O’Shea was born in Ontario on October 21, 1924. She was a year old when her family moved to a farm in Ranfurly where she grew up.

“I had four sisters and one brother. Some memories I have from my younger days are if you wanted water, you didn’t sometimes have a pump, you took a pail with a rope on it and let it down into the well to get your water and then carry it back into the house. Even in the wintertime, I would carry the wood and fill the wood box in the house.

I remember working hard on the farm my whole life but I loved doing this.”

When asked what she did for fun. “I rode horses a lot when I was young. I liked animals. They were my friends because the neighbours were miles away; across the field. There were no telephones.

Sometimes, a neighbour would visit in the afternoon and we would play ball together.

They didn’t have team sports back then. Life improved over the years that way.

When I got into my teens, the school districts started to form organized ball teams but I never joined because we had a lot of work to do on the farm and I used to help with the cattle. I also would go skating. You had to walk a mile and a half to go to a skating rink and then if you were fortunate enough to have one, it was just a slough.

We had very little toys for Christmas. They would knit us a socking.

For the first couple of years, I rode my dog to school.

When I finished school, I continued to help on the farm. Then I went to Edmonton for a while where I met my husband who was in the Navy and at home on leave.

I got married in Edmonton by a justice of the peace because he was a Catholic and I was a Protestant.

Sylvia O’ Shea with her family on her 98th birthday celebration.

We had six children; one daughter and five sons. Their names are: Kelly, Kevin, Tim, Shawn, Sylvia, and Denis (he passed away as a newborn). Today, I have 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. After we were married, my husband at first was in the Navy in England and I went back to the farm in Ranfurly. His letters would come to Ranfurly and I just stayed there and then I got the farm from the folks and continued to work on the farm.

I lived in Ranfurly my whole life. I credit working hard for living 99 years. We ate well; we picked berries and canned chicken and beef. We were never hungry. You just kept busy.

The advice I would give kids is that they should learn what it was like years ago when you raised all your food and you didn’t spend very much money.

It is good to be aware of what is happening in the world. I like to read books and the newspaper, and I watch the news every night.

I am so proud of my children. They all turned out well. I made sure to give them plenty of love and attention.”

When asked what life was like for her now. “I’ve lived at Homestead Senior Citizen’s Lodge for a year and I like it. In the summer, I go back home. I have a nephew who helps me with canning around 30 jars of pickles and I also make stews for the grandsons who farm. I just really like to cook.

The most important thing to me is my family and I have a really good family. I hope everyone when they get to be my age is as fortunate as I am.”