Baha'i Blogging Challenge - Inspiration from the Universal House of Justice

Universal House of Justice, Haifa, Israel

On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, we received a message from the Universal House of Justice forwarded by email from our Baha’i friends located in several clusters across Canada.

The Ridvan message was inspiring.

We've been travelling across British Columbia and the Prairies for nearly three years and have witnessed how the friends are enveloped in the fundamentals of the Plan and how a large number of them are ‘acting on its requirements, and demonstrating rigour in the quality of their response.’

Along the way, we’ve met with believers who are reservoirs of knowledge and resources and with open hearts provided us with their experience and insight.

We take our inspiration from the Universal House of Justice 2017 Ridvan message and apply its objectives to our clear purpose, to meet as many isolated Baha'is as possible and to meet as many new friends as God's guidance allows.

Viewed aright, this year presents the single greatest worldwide opportunity there has ever been for connecting hearts to Bahá’u’lláh. ~ Universal House of Justice 2017 Ridvan Message

Baha'i Blogging Challenge - The Gift of Listening

The Golden Rule poster

Over the years we’ve learned that everyone has a story to tell. One of most respectful gestures we can provide is to listen. Some months ago, on our walk around the Central Alberta community, we met several people at the row of mailboxes. All of the folks in this area pick up their mail there and we made a serious effort to meet as many neighbours as we could, including the Canada Post delivery lady.

We’ve had some delightful conversations including how far some travel to attend church and how some unique religions, like the Two By Twos, are familiar in the area. We listened to their comments and secured a great deal about their tolerance of others and appreciation of their faith.

On occasion, we got to express that as Baha’is we are expected to acquire more knowledge about our Faith by searching truth for ourselves and to listen to others. 

“Religion is the outer expression of the divine reality. Therefore it must be living, vitalized, moving and progressive. If it be without motion and non-progressive it is without the divine life; it is dead.” – Abdu’l-Baha

Baha'i Blog Challenge - The Day of the Covenant

9-pointed star

It was our distinct pleasure to be asked by the Minister of the United Church in Sicamous, British Columbia to describe to the group gathered at the service today about the Baha’i Faith.

I described briefly that the Baha’i Faith is focused on unity and the purpose of sharing Baha’u’llah’s messages from God are to help guide the earth’s humans to enjoy the privileges of His gifts. 

“You might be pleased to know that today, The Day of the Covenant, is a commemoration of Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His eldest son, Abdu’l-Baha as His successor,” I added.

Later, when the congregation gathered for fellowship, my husband and I had the opportunity to share that Baha’is are committed to remaining united, rather than fragmenting into different sects.

We look forward to attending their service regularly and conducting a Devotional afterwards.

Life is good!

Baha'i Blogging Challenge - Bringing up the Topic of God

      

Treasure your gifts from God

We spent another hour with our friend who is living in the extended care wing of the local hospital. We are familiar now with some of the other patients being cared for and we’ve shared upbeat open-ended conversations with several of them. One discussion began with one of the aids while she was putting her patient’s hair into a ponytail. The three of us talked about long hair versus short hair and it drew a gathering of more women. I found myself thinking of Baha’u’llah’s words “…complete victory should be achieved through speech and utterance.” 

I said, "God’s provided you with a beautiful head of hair."

She smiled in agreement and described how she had inherited it from her father. We spent the next fifteen minutes talking about gifts from God. Our conversation was interrupted by the chime of the lunch bell. 

We continued to make a habit of chatting with the other occupants of the gentle care facility throughout our four-month stay in the community.

If he teaches because of God’s Will that God be known – and for that reason only – he will receive knowledge and wisdom, and his words will have effect – being made powerful by the Holy Spirit – and will take root in the souls of those who are in the right condition to receive them. – Abdu’l-Baha

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Strangers and Handshakes

Adopt-a- Neighbour

It was our great pleasure to meet two of our neighbours. We had uplifting conversations with both and received an invitation from one to join a local Citizens on Patrol group and asked by the other to drop by soon for a longer visit.

Our daily walks allow us to meet strangers along the way, accept and invite handshakes and most heartwarming, get to meet with them again.

At the COP meeting, we introduced ourselves and settled amongst a group of like-minded friends. We all wanted to be protected, some by linked fences and electronic security systems, others by fellow citizens who drive around and watch for suspicious goings-on in the neighbourhood. What came to mind was my satisfaction that God protects us all.

Later that week, we enjoyed coffee and cake with the other neighbour. He and his wife began the conversation with an introduction to their religion. We listened with open hearts and when they felt satisfied that we understood, we invited them to our home. They accepted. After they had settled in, we introduced ourselves as Baha'is and explained a few of Baha'u'llah's messages. Since then, we've been meeting with them and their friends at the close of their church service when they congregate at the back of their church for fellowship.

"O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of 'Ya Baha'-u'l-Abha' in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it."  (From a letter dated 23 May 2016 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World)

Blessed Is The Spot

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Open Heart Conversation

Our excursions today included shopping for a few personal items, gathering the mail and visiting with a friend in the local assisted-living facility.

Our visit with the kindly gentleman was filled with talk of his family. He described all his adult children as determined go-getters and confessed that he could not take all the credit. He told us that his stay-at-home wife was the backbone of the group. After an hour, our visit was interrupted by a nurse who was scheduled to provide her patient with his bath.

We returned home satisfied that our first visit of many to come with this new friend was well received.

Out of the whole world He hath chosen for Himself the hearts of men—hearts which the hosts of revelation and of utterance can subdue.  (Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 279)

An open heart is well received

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Guidance, Encouragement and Support

Being a Homefront Pioneer became a very rewarding solution to our need to satisfy Abdu’l-Baha’s call to action. Our experience during our three-month volunteer assignment in Central Alberta included numerous telephone conversations and email exchanges with various members of the Alberta Baha’i Council. Each encounter was filled with guidance, encouragement and support. Although there is no manual for homefront pioneering, consultation with local Baha’is, groups, Local Spiritual Assemblies, the Cluster Coordinator, and Institute members and the Alberta Baha’i Council helped us manage our pioneer endeavours. 

The Consultation Look

We’ve summarised our first consultation this way:

• Make contact with the closest Baha'is in the cluster and find out from those friends what is needed in the area.

• Identify the Cluster Coordinator.

• Send all receipts related to our Homefront Pioneer assignment to the Alberta Baha’i Council Treasurer.

• Participate in whatever is already underway in the Cluster.

• Communicate with the Council through the liaison and assistant.

• Submit bi-weekly reports that include observations, barriers, recommendations and consultation information to the Alberta Baha’i Council.

• Enjoy yourself.

Beyond such considerations, a consultative spirit pervades the interactions of those engaged in social action, of whatever size and complexity, and the population they serve. This does not imply that formal mechanisms are necessarily in place for this purpose. It suggests, rather, that the aspirations of the people, their observations and ideas, are ever present and are consciously incorporated into plans and programmes.  (Universal House of Justice, Office of Social and Economic Development, Social Action, 26 November 2012, p. 14)

Reflections - Baha'i Blog Challenge

Neighbourhood Walkabouts

During our time as Homefront Pioneers in Rimbey, Alberta, our daily morning ritual with the five dogs and two cats began with releasing the animals from their overnight sleeping cages and sending them outside to relieve themselves. Our instruction from the homeowners was to go outdoors with them to keep them somewhat corralled.

As for the felines, herding cats is a common joke among owners so we let them be and set their water and food bowls on the picnic table. The little dogs returned to the house with enthusiasm and were rewarded with breakfast.

The large German Shepard was a bit wary of us in the beginning however, we soon developed a ‘friendship’ with her.

Friendly neighbours

After the pets were settled, Frank and I would head out with the big dog for our neighbourhood walkabout. If a neighbour happened to be outside we would speak with him or her. We thought this repeated pattern would allow us to be recognised as friendly neighbours.

[homefront pioneers] would yield greater effect if, drawing on the advice of institutions, [if] they were to direct their efforts to clusters, villages, and neighbourhoods within clusters that are the focus of systematic attention.  (adapted from a letter dated 23 May 2011 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is of the World, paragraphs 1 and 4)

Reflection - Baha'i Blog

April 6, 2017, began with examining the Fire Tablet. Our study and meditation extended for a long while with the continued learning of Ruhi Book 6, Teaching the Cause.

Later, we reviewed and discussed the 8 March 2017/8 Loftiness 173 letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada.

Afterward, we reviewed and discussed “Extracts from letters written by the Universal House of Justice regarding pioneering”, from a letter dated 23 May 2011 written by the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is of the World, paragraphs 1 and 4.

We strongly believe that time dedicated to the Writings is a stretch well spent. The events fill us with great joy, confidence and guidance.

Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.  Tablets of Baha’ullah, Lawh-i-Maqsud

Baha'i Blog Challenge - Service

Lacome, AB Hospital

On Tuesday, April 4, we took a short drive to Lacombe, Alberta, a community approximately fourteen kilometres east of our Rimbey-based homefront pioneer assignment. We had volunteered to visit shut-ins who live in the extended daycare facility at the hospital.

We spent a respectful short time with our new friend and he and Frank exchanged opinions and impressions about their having lived in Saskatchewan years ago.

Their bond was cinched when the mention of Crib, a fascinating card game, came up in the conversation. We promised that our next visit with him would include a deck of cards and a game board. He acknowledged the plan with the nod of his head.

Bird on a Wire - Pinyon Jay

Back at home base, we were tasked with filling the various bird feeders with seeds for the majority of the Finches, sugar-enhanced water for the pleasure of the Woodpeckers, and suet, that hard animal fat sometimes used for cooking – in this case, used to feed the birds.

That evening we rested contentedly.

An act, however infinitesimal, is, when viewed in the mirror of the knowledge of God, mightier than a mountain. Every drop proffered in His path is as the sea in that mirror.  (Bahá’u’lláh, Quickeners of Mankind, p. 4)

Baha'i Blog Challenge

A Response to Abdu'l-Baha's Urging

A reflection of our Homefront Pioneers Experience

View from Township Road 422

On Monday, April 3, 2017, we arrived at our Homefront Pioneer destination. For three months we were housed in an isolated community thirty-five kilometres south-east of Rimbey, Alberta. We accepted an invitation to pioneer the area by the Alberta Baha'i Council.

We met several of the town’s people and introduced ourselves to them as newcomers. When one person asked, Why Rimbey? we shared that we were caring for a local couple’s home and pets. We added we were Baha’is who were hoping to learn about and participate in their community.

Later, at the dining table of the homeowners, we talked about the woman’s collection of protection idols such as her porcelain angels, voodoo dolls and gargoyles. She asked us how we felt about protection and how it was that we protected ourselves from the evils surrounding us. Frank took the opportunity to share with her that we are Baha’is and we protect ourselves with our Faith and prayers.

She asked, What is Baha’i?

Frank drew from his years of experience in the Faith and revealed to our listeners that Baha’is believe that we are now living in a new era where the most current prophet, Baha’u’llah, has provided to each of us messages that reveal the purpose of our lives in this time – to know and explore God’s spiritual virtues such as truthfulness, kindness, unity, love and justice. Our listeners came to the conclusion that if you are truthful, kind, loving and just, you are living a good life, a happy life.

Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s afflictions can in no wise alarm me. (Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, p. 208)

Outlook, Saskatchewan - It's Outlook on the Library System

The sign at the front entrance to the public library in Outlook, says Wheatland Community Library, however, access to its Internet WIFI is restricted to the staff and students in the school in which it is housed. 

This public library in this town is private when it comes to accessing the World Wide Web.

Outlook is located approximately 94 kilometres south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Highway 219.

Frank and I stood in front of the librarian and explained to her that I’m a writer and most of my material is stored on my hard drive and on a web cloud. Also, I must verify my facts and most I can research on the Internet. “Do you have free WIFI?”

Bar with free WIFI, Outlook, SK

“No. There is no Internet access here in this library for the public. It is for the exclusive use of the school staff and the students. You can get WIFI at the café down the street or at the bar,” the librarian said.

I felt defeated. Frank and I have been on the road for three years now, visiting as many small towns and their senior centres and libraries as possible. Even if the library has restricted days and hours, they've always had a keen sense that it is in their interest to provide free Internet access to whoever comes through their doors.

Outlook, SK, Town Office

The good news is that my explanation to the Town Office Manager, Trent, resulted in my having access to their Internet WIFI and a comfortable chair at a table in the art centre. We left a thank you card with his staff to pass along to him on our way out.

Life is good.

Tugaske, Saskatchewan - It's Not a Temple

Masonic Temple/Lodge

According to Dorothy and Lynn of Tugaske, the Masonic Temple is now owned by a local artist who had the interior modified a bit from its previous life as a bank. We are standing together on the sidewalk across from the lodge in front of the Canada Post building.

“My mother used to work at that bank in the 1920s,” Dorothy says. “It’s not a temple, it’s a lodge. The Masons aren’t here anymore. They were kind of like the Kinsmen.”

Town Hall 1910

The building kitty-corner to it displays a shield inscribed with Town Hall 1910. It is also privately owned and in disrepair. Lynn reports that the new owners had made big promises but have left it rotting for years. They point out that the hotel is also vacant and the restaurant closed.

“You might also like to know that our church is abandoned now too. The roof was leaking and the repairs didn’t take, the heat was turned off and now small animals have taken it over. We meet in the community hall for services. The Pastor comes from Saskatoon every two weeks,” says Dorothy.

United Church - unused

The ladies excuse themselves saying that they’ve been standing too long and need to go home and rest.

My exploration of the town takes me across the dusty gravel street to Westbridgeford Meats Ltd. A woman is standing under the canopy. I ask if it is her business, she says yes and invites me in. The pungent odor of decaying meat fills my nostrils and makes my eyes water. She explains and that she once bred Jack Russell dogs and fed them ground meat and leftovers from her daily butchering. She now specializes as a dog food producer.

Westbridge Meats Ltd.

“We used to own the only grocery store in town with the meat rendering plant in the back. Some years ago, the whole thing burned down, we rebuilt the meat business and that’s all we do now,” she says.

The meat packing plant and the Co-op garage seem to be the only businesses holding the town in its location. Tugaske is 170 kilometers south of Saskatoon.

That same day, Frank met Dave, a guitar builder who often has international students stay in the town for seven weeks and learn how to build guitars. At the end of their stay, they return home with the guitar they have built. At the moment, one of his students is from Israel and another is from Chicago.

Later that day, we met Violet, the librarian. The library is a great resource for the locals who attend it on the three days of the week and the short hours it is open. Like many of the other towns we’ve visited this summer, the library is sometimes the only gathering place.

Davidson and Loreburn, Saskatchewan

Big White in Davidson, SK

On August 29, 2017, we pulled into Davidson, Saskatchewan, located 115 km south of Saskatoon, on Highway 11.

Our intention of only spending one night at the campground was dashed when we saw its clean condition and practical location.  We spent a precious four days there.

Each campsite has a sturdy picnic table, an electrical outlet (which we don’t use because we have our solar panels), well-developed broadleaved trees and cut grass.

Davidson campground

The road throughout the property is gravelled and the free public washrooms are cleaned daily and have great shower capacity, a porcelain sink and toilet and an always fully stocked paper towel dispenser – all this for $18.00 dollars a day.

We visited the library and met Victoria, a lovely young woman who provided us with a resource area for hooking up to the Internet with our laptop and cups of coffee during our time there.

We agreed with her explanation that libraries throughout Saskatchewan are under threat by being underfunded and it becomes the responsibility of the poorly-paid librarian to come up with practical ways to keep its doors open for the benefit of the public. She volunteers a great deal of her time as a lover of books in print and as a devoted member of the town’s society.  “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one.” Source ebookfriendly.com

During our stay, we backed our Ural bike off the trailer and toured the community in style. 

Metis fiddler and Red River cart

There is a great rest stop off the highway at the entrance to Davidson. The tall structure of a Metis fiddler is impressive as is the preserved road building belly dump vehicle and an earth scooper from the 1800s to 1930s. The coffee percolator and drinking cup bring a smile to our faces. We saw a few others throughout the town.

Coffee percolator and cup

On day three, we took a 46.5 km ride on Highway 44 west to Loreburn. I asked Frank to stop at an abandoned farmhouse along the way. The structure was impressive with its peaked roof, large windows, and significant front veranda. It must have been a grand home in its day.

Abandoned farmhouse

Our walk through Loreburn included a visit with the librarian, who confirmed with Victoria from Davidson, that libraries are hard to keep open. She admitted that folks can just call in for a book, or read stories on their electronic devices, or ignore the efforts she makes to keep the doors of the gathering place open. She admitted that it is her passion for books that keep her there – underpaid and overworked with volunteer efforts.

The following day, we loaded the bike, filled our water tank to capacity and headed down the road.

Harris, Saskatchewan - Where a Brothel Thrived

Big White at the Once Was Brothel

The first and only people we meet outdoors in the small village of Harris, 81 km south-west of Saskatoon, is a middle-aged man working in his large yard and his daughter. He declares that he got the house and vacant property beside it for a fair price, likely, he boasts, because at one time it was a brothel. Its proximity to the hotel is a giveaway he says.

Aside from that interesting bit of history, the town is well maintained, has a bountiful museum and displays its past on brass plaques stationed along many of the avenues and streets.

Autographs and Comments Welcome

We begin our self-guided tour by signing our names on the fence on Railroad Street and notice immediately that the hotel beside it is operating a lounge and possibly some rooms to rent.

Harris Hotel

Deeper into the community, there are several homes that are well looked after and others that are not. Further down this foot route, we find the Mason Temple & Evergreen Tree hidden behind some large bushes. This property is a municipal heritage possession these days and sadly has been attacked by some who use graffiti to identify themselves.

Mason Temple & Evergreen Tree

On Main Street, there are two churches sitting kitty-corner to one another. Both are boarded up, unused.

Two churches in Harris, SK

Further down sits the New Horizons Centre with the words Orange Temple imprinted on the concrete walk leading to the building. We believe this building to be the senior centre. The Orange Order was born in the charged sectarian climate of northern Ireland in the late 1700s to defend the interests of Protestant settlers against the native Irish Catholics. (source http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/orange_order.html

New Horizons Centre, Harris, SK

We end our stroll back at the bus and board her ready for the next exploration of another fabulous town in Saskatchewan. Less than 6 km south of Harris is a rest stop on the right-hand side of the road. These much needed soft places to land for an avid traveller are far and few between in this province.

Zealandia – A Town in Transition

Flag of Saskatchewan

We stand with one of the librarians in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, a small community 152 kilometres west of Saskatoon on Highway 14, listening to her explain that there are no real communities worth visiting east of here on Highway 7. ‘You’re only an hour from Saskatoon, so why stop at any of the towns?’ she says. We explain that our mission is to visit as many small towns on secondary roads in the prairies as possible, meet the residents and write about them and their community. She has no comment.

Garage of the past

Twenty kilometres east on Highway 7, we pull into the quaint and well-kept town of Zealandia. We park Big White beside a weather beaten boarded up ageing garage. It was established in the early 1900s. A few strides into our hike, we come across a cenotaph for WW1 and WW2 veterans from the local area and a beautiful playground area purchased and constructed by the Elks No. 292.

Frank at Cenotaph

The wide gravelled roads are flanked by trimmed grass, tall trees and a sidewalk. We get the impression that we’re in a well-maintained park. A while later, we meet a young man detailing his truck. His name is Chris. We ask about the availability of water to fill our container and he offers to help in true Saskatchewan hospitable fashion. He explains that most folks living in Zealandia work in Rosetown and have purchased homes here because they are ‘cheap’.

Fun things in a well-tended yard

We continue our walk and admire the new homes and the old. Each structure offers a sense of Zealandia in transition. A coiffured yard with an RV and two upscale cars could tell a tale of the people who occupy the grand house, while the property next to it reveals an empty abode covered with spider webs clinging to its broken windows and four-foot high wild flowers claiming every inch of its yard. Who lived there? What might have been their occupation? When did they move away, and why?

Empty house is hidden behind its yard

The crunch of gravel under my feet puts a smile on my face and slows my pace.

I catch up to Frank who is having a lively conversation with a woman laying on a hammock in her back yard. She is explaining that Zealandia has had two fires in its history. No dates are offered but she is saying that the town’s people rebuilt the community buildings after the first, only to have another devastating fire soon after. From her yard, we can see the bell atop the fire hall.

Fire hall and Town Office

In the early evening, we sip coffee beside our bus and are greeted several times by other locals. We feel welcome and appreciated. No one questions why we are camping in their town. Frank tells me that he could live here in a heartbeat. Location. Location. Location.

Big White in Zealandia, Saskatchewan

Come in When the Light is On

Village Square, Perdue, SK

Every village in Canada has a unique set of characters living in it and Perdue, Saskatchewan, has a full deck of cards. We met six of them the first day we arrived at this quaint community located sixty-three kilometres west of Saskatoon on Highway 14.

We are greeted at the front door of the New Horizon’s Senior Centre by its President, Jean. She is sporting a dramatic oversized coat of many colours and has a beautiful smile on her face. She shares with us later that she is over ninety years old.

Our host guides us over to the table where there sit three other women. The table is covered with two large plates of homemade and store-bought cookies, a container filled with cream, a bowl of white sugar and a stack of napkins. 

Grain elevator in Perdue, SK

We are invited to sit and Joyce is the first to introduce herself. She presents a big smile and extends her hand to Frank first and then me. She explains that she’s lived in Perdue her whole life and asks if we’ve ever heard of the game of broomball. Before we can answer, she explains that Perdue was the first Canadian city to host the game of broomball back in 1908. She keeps our attention for a while. 

Next, we are introduced to Elsie, who, unfortunately, has forgotten her hearing aids at home and is only able to say her name and smile. We learn the next day, when we meet Elsie again at the centre, that she loves store-bought cookies best because she bakes so many homemade treats for the club.

Cora sits quietly, her body likely racked in discomfort, I imagine because she’s stooped forward and her face is grimaced with pain. 

The others speak to her but she doesn’t often respond.

Later, Gerald and his wife, Esther enter the centre. They sit comfortably around the conversation table and are served coffee and treats by Jean, today’s hostess. They ask us two of the most familiar questions, ‘Where are you from?’ and ‘What brings you to Perdue?’

Big White at the Perdue campsite

We claim Vancouver Island as our starting point and are delighted to share with them that we’ve been on the road living in our RV for nearly three years. We explain our intention to visit as many hamlets, villages and towns as possible on our direct route from one housesit to the next.

Our new friends express their delight in our having chosen their campsite as our layover for a few days. We let them know it’s our pleasure and that they are some of the friendliest folks we’ve met.

“You’re welcome anytime, Susan and Frank. But check the light above the door. When it’s on, someone is here so come on in.”

Canwood Famous for Bannock

Frank Enjoys Bannock at Canwood Cafe

The Village of Canwood, Saskatchewan, located in the north section of the province, sixty-five kilometres south-east of Big River is famous for its bannock. This luxurious bread has simple ingredients and is produced in a variety of ways, including deep fried. The clever woman who makes it works at the Canwood Café. She and the owner also offer friendly banter. They would love to meet you.

Canwood Commemorative Sign 

The community centennial commemorative iron monument at the highway entrance into the Village displays a fine assortment of characteristics common to the province and this small gentle getaway among your northern Saskatchewan adventures. 

From every street corner, you have a grand view of the working grain elevators that stood beside the long-gone railway tracks. Now, these magnificent sentinels seemingly stand on guard for the towns’ people. On Main Street, Young’s Garage is a display of past prairie architecture. 

Canwood Grain Elevator

Young's Garage

There are a few buildings for sale, some in need of either repair or full demolition. Their history includes the existence of a coin laundry, a billiards game room, a confectionary and snack bar, a Bargain Shoppe and a Pawn Shop. 

The lively elements of the village are attributed to the horticulture volunteers as demonstrated by the manicured park in the centre of town, the Village Administrator and workers who keep the place tidy and prideful with large displays of red and white flowers to celebrate Canada’s 150^th birthday.  

Susan stands in the village garden

The knowledgeable Municipal District Administrator is proud to show the map of the vast area under their jurisdiction. It’s populous at large are the bright lights of this most worthwhile community. Every person we spoke with had an upbeat, friendly attitude towards their town and one another.