Ghost #9

     The Rotary Club sponsored this ghost to celebrate the successful fight against polio. The rotary club had been involved in supporting the fight against polio.

    The statue is called Reaching Out and shows one child helping another child climb up a huge rock. If you check the one child you will see that she's wearing a large leg brace. 

    The statue is placed in front of the Recreation Center Pool. 

A large leg brace

A long reach

A ceramic on the side of the Recreation Center

Ghost # 8

    Our city recently finished a major bus terminal and parking facility. It was a project completed over a ten year period. 

   Before our city started it's own public transit system in the 1960's, a  private company provided limited service. At that time the city was less than 20000 in population. 

    A couple provided the service. Gordon drove the bus and his wife ran a small restaurant /bus terminal. The wife was the director /scheduler/operator/ticket seller and was energetic and well liked.

  So the city fathers thought that our new transit terminal should have a name so it was decided to call it Sorensen Station after the couple who operated the little bus system.

    The statue is placed outside the new bus terminal and is called Waiting for Gordon. I think the artist caught the energy this women had to run a very original and creative business.

A working woman with a cup of coffee ready for Gordon

This lady got things done.

Ghost #7

    This statue was made to honor Hazel Braithwaite who was a leader in early women's movements. In 1926 she pushed her way by men who were attempting to stop her from voting in the provincial election.

    Hazel belonged to many organizations that helped people and had roots to the agricultural industry. Hazel ran for the Alberta legislature in 1965. Hazel died in 1989.

    This sculpture certainly shows her determination to bring about changes that would benefit all people. And all people included women and all people would be equal.

A very powerful lady who could get things done.

I can't find out what the female sculpture in her hands means.

A Hot Tip I Just Got Off the Street

     Last September I did a post about a young girl, April, who walks to school by my place and she can use my place if she has any difficulties. Every few months I happen to be out in the yard and April comes along and we have a great conversation. 

    Today I had a visit with April. I found out why she was late going home from school . I found out that she likes the new colors her room was painted ...lime green and duct tape gray. I found out that she made the first brush stroke and that  her Mom painted the room. 

   Then she told me that she was on her way home to make supper. I asked her if she cooked . Oh yes, she can cook . Then I started to ask her what she cooks. Eggs? Yes, but she's allergic to them, but not if they're scrambled.

    Then I got a hot tip. In the summer she goes to the Farmer's Market with her Mom and Dad. They go to a vendor who sells home made bread. April buys a chocolate bread the has lumps of chocolate in it and it is soooo good.   Now back to the eggs. She can make French toast. Yes, you guessed it! French toast with the special chocolate bread that she buys from the Farmer's Market.
     
     It sounds so good I think I'll try it! So there's my hot tip from the street!

Ghost #6

    Ghost # 6 was to honor Keith Mann who was a band leader and music instructor in Red Deer. Keith was extremely active in the local college music program as well as community bands. He was active in local, provincial, national and international professional associations. Music was everything to Keith.

    Now Keith was a very energetic and active person. I'm disappointed with this statue as it doesn't get at the key part of Keith. 

    Sadly Keith was killed in a motor cycle accident. He was a great loss to music and our community.

    The statue is called Let the Music Begin

Ready for the music to start.

Looking to see that everybody was ready.

I've Been "Trooly Blest" With Lots More Snow

   I have been blessed with lots more snow this weekend. On Saturday we had a bout 15 cm (6 in) of snow. It started early Saturday morning and most of the snow melted as it fell. It cooled off in the afternoon and the snow started accumulating.

   My 80 something neighbor fell down the stairs recently and injured a leg tendon. She's a very feisty lady and always shovels her own snow. I volunteered to shovel her snow this morning. She admitted that she tried to shovel last night and took four shovel fulls that hurt and then she suffered all night. So another yard for me to shovel is fine as I can do with the exercise.

    The forecast for the remainder of the week isn't good.

    So here I am this morning shoveling my side walk again.

It was pleasant for shoveling this morning. I see I didn't set the date on the camera!

    Usually by this time in April I've finished cleaning my yard, got my snow tires off and planted sweet peas. I would also be looking to see if the garden is ready to dig up. Oh well, it will all get done in good time.

Ghost #5

    The fifth ghost done was to keep the story of Red Deer's most famous pig alive. Francis had been delivered to the local abattoir and escaped. He was on the loose for several weeks and was very difficult to catch. It was winter so he could be tracked. He was bated with food but would not take the bait. Finally they say him and used a tranquilizer dart. A local farmer took Francis, but Francis died a few days later because the tranquilizer dart had injured internal organs. 

    So the story of Francis was gripping but ended sadly. So this ghost honors poor old Francis.

Francis charging through the brush

Francis evading the trappers