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.”