The August 30th Blue Moon, recalled old comments such as: “It will be a Blue Moon before that happens!”
That becomes more significant to me now when I read that it will be Jan and March 2037 before the “blue moon” happens again! {Blue moon means two full moons in the same month!} I guess I am old enough to remember a few; but now, I am wondering where I will be in 14 years?
I also learned that this time of year is considered: PSL…hmmm what is that? Well, I learned: It is PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE time! Well, I will likely have at least one this fall, but now I will have my own PSL.
P PERSPECTIVE As of late, I find myself talking to others about many topics by saying: “Yes, that is our perspective, however, you can’t put “your brain in someone else’s brain”.
My several years of living has brought me to this peace and understanding about so many of the happenings in our immediate community and world!
My heart goes out, particularly this year, to the many people in our Province, Country and Neighboring countries who have had to deal with forest fires, hurricanes, drought [to name a few] along with so many other challenges in living.
But, I realize it is beyond my understanding/ability/efforts in ‘how to fix the problem’. But I want to remain engaged to listen, care and be informed.
Thus, my perspective includes this important lesson in life as well: “The only person you can change is yourself ”. This also, has taken many years of living, to not only say this, but finally BELIEVE it and LIVE IT.
Our ‘News World’ is filled with hardships, sadness, tragedies, political unrest and climate disasters. Regular comments I hear are: “I don’t watch the news as it is always so negative!”
Perhaps this is a necessary step in your own personal life for survival.
Only you know how much you can handle mentally, physically and spiritually. Just be cautious and careful what you use for your source of information, as our world is now flooded with Information overload.
S SERVICE STRIVING SEEKING With our Fall of new beginnings for the kids going back to school, new activities beginning in our communities, I do think this is a great guiding principal for everyone!
L LISTS It occurred to me recently, that I not only need to make more lists but that I also find my ‘list making’ a necessary way to keep focused and maybe even to help justify keeping busy or at least keeping moving forward!
MY PSL now also includes remembering a few long-time residents of De Winton who passed away this year but were wonderful contributing members of our community.
- Richard {Dick} Quinton passed at the beginning of 2023. I am sure there are many who wonder why Cadillac Feeds is still the name of the standing elevators. When I moved here in 1973, the operating Grain elevator had just closed. Soon after, Dick and Kay Quinton purchased the property and established Cadillac Feeds for many years out of that elevator. Dick was a very involved member of the DCC particularly supporting the community dances which were enjoyed by Dick and Kay and many, many people. Rest in Peace, Dick, and thank-you for your contribution to De Winton.
- Robert {Bob} Clarke, passed in March, having lived next door to me for a few years, before moving to a farm east of this community. Bob and Jean were most interested in assisting with community activities, in particular the Children’s Hallowe’en parties.
- Phyllis Dick {Shierman}, also passed in July. She had been a resident of this Community, both in her growing up years and later in her marriage to Alan Dick, who was born in De Winton. She was buried at the Pine Creek Cemetery surrounded by many other former De Winton residents.
- Sandi Parsons, was a special needs teaching assistant at Red Deer Lake, for many years. Her passing in Aug., after a brief halt in life with cancer, was shocking for anyone who worked with her or benefitted from her loving care and attention as a student at RDL.
DID YOU KNOW? That we are surrounded by many different signs that spell De Winton in many ways?
Amanda Gotmy, present manager of our De Winton Community Centre, and I had the pleasure of having a Globe and Mail journalist, Carrie Tait, reach out for our input when writing a story that was published in the Globe and Mail online site in August. Before it was published the Globe and Mail photographer, Jude Brocke, did a most enjoyable photo shoot with us. Can be viewed on: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-dewinton-spelling-alberta-hamlet/
Was it just a ‘slow news summer’ that instigated this article? Nevertheless, both Amanda and I enjoyed adding our input for this great community that we both have strong feelings about being OUR HOME.
It was named after Major-General Sir Francis Walter de Winton {DeWinton}, a British army officer, who had served as the secretary to Sir John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, who was the Marquis of Lorne and Governor-general of Cnada between 1878 and 1883. Sir Francis de Winton had visited the area before Alberta became a province.
According to the “Sodbusting to Subdivision” Book, De Winton became a Hamlet in 1892, when the railway arrived. And a wonderful bustling hamlet and community area it still is!
