Some thoughts on a variety of topics:
• • •
I have developed an affinity for a three or four-block stretch of Hall Street West, the area leading up to and ending at Ninth Avenue Northwest.
Those are the blocks that earlier this summer were repaired and resurfaced to provide bump-free travel for residents of the city who regularly use that
stretch of infrastructure.
Talk about smooth sailing!
I told Housemate the delight I felt at not having to dodge those increasingly potholes on that street that I use at least twice a week heading to an appointment. I think he suspected some exaggeration. And then I took him with me for a special fact-finding journey.
His appreciation for the excellent roadway was immediate, quickly agreeing with me that instead of bumping along other popular streets, we should do our summer-time cruising along the repaired blocks of Hall Street.
I wonder if residents of those blocks have noticed us hanging out in their neighbourhood, going up and down and back and forth during a sunny, summer evening? We mean no harm and the Neighbourhood Watch should not be concerned.
Now might I suggest similar repairs to 13th Avenue Northwest between Grace and Caribou and Fifth Avenue Northwest from Oxford to Caribou? After all, we’d like to expand our travelling horizons so that we don’t have to fear losing a hubcap in one of those street-wide holes.
• • •
There were no fridges or stoves or dresses and lingerie for sale on Aug. 11 at the site of what used to be Sears Department Store.
Instead, guests could amble through the old store site to take in the variety of cars and trucks displayed there at the Next Gen indoor car show.
Indoor car shows are regular events in other large communities and we were anxious to see the vehicles, how they were arranged and what space was available for other show-related events. In other words, I was on a fact-finding mission, what some might call “snooping.”
I saw several vehicles that appealed to me, suggesting to my inner self that I could happily drive one of them to the highway for a true test drive of what special elements might have been added under the hood.
While some armchair organizers were dissing the club for charging admission and offering other unhelpful suggestions, we were more than happy with what we saw, heard and learned during the afternoon.
Some friends don’t understand why I would spend a Sunday afternoon looking at cars and trucks that I would never ever expect to purchase. Who says I might not someday have that vehicle with the wing doors or that black truck that would require me to carry a step ladder to gain entrance? I might not know much about what’s under the hood, but I definitely know what I like. The wings have it this time.
Thanks to the Next Gen Car Club for offering another way to spend a summer Sunday afternoon. Drive on!
• • •
Congratulations to John Hall, currently the sixth command chief warrant officer of the RCAF, who will retire later this month from the regular force after 37 years of dedicated service and commitment. He served as the wing chief warrant officer at 15 Wing Moose Jaw from 2017 to 2019.
His departure with dignity and ceremony was scheduled for Aug. 20 in Ottawa. After his official retirement, Hall will assume the role of RCAF senior non-commisioned member succession planner. He also plans to spend more time with his family: wife Therese, children Brandon, Elora and Emily, and his grandchildren.
Best wishes John from all your friends in Moose Jaw.
• • •
Welcome to the Moose Jaw and 15 Wing communities to Micheline Bertrand, the new chief warrant officer of the 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, affectionately known as the Big 2. She replaces CWO Erik Keur who is retiring after 34 years in the military.
Bertrand has been here for a month now and has already become involved in community events.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
