Killarney

 Small prairie towns have certain similarities – a wide main street with stately brick facades, a Co-op, the ubiquitous Chinese restaurant, and maybe some other coffee shop/gathering place.   As we traveled from Asessippi Park to the Koslowsky farm near Killarney, we took a stretch break in Wawanesa.  We walked up and down the main street and found an eclectic little coffee shop where all the locals hang out.  We walked in and got the ‘you ain’t from around here’ look. We ordered our coffees and peered around at the various offerings:  hardware, gifts, garden seeds, and office supplies.  

We’ve been boondocking at my brother’s farm for the past number of days, and that comes with the wonderful perk of getting to enjoy his wife’s delicious cooking.  It’s good to be back on the home place again.  We also are here visiting with Dad who, at 96 years, despite many health challenges still has an indomitable spirit and great sense of humour. 

The reason we’re on the farm is because the campground in town is full as Killarney is hosting one of their biggest Canada Day events in a long time.  Of course, we had to go check it out.  We went early enough to find parking closer to the venues and then walked everywhere.  It was a beautiful day to be outside.  We enjoyed a food truck lunch, 4-H kids doing a musical ride on their horses, and watched other youngsters excitedly heading to the beach for waterslides and swimming.  Later Dave did some fishing while I did some sketching and reading, and then enjoyed  coffee with a friend, listening to the bands warm up for the evening’s concert.  The headliner:  Hunter Brothers.  

 You know you’re from a small farm town when the

 sponsors for the concert don’t just have a banner, 

they park their combines and sprayers to frame the stage!

We didn’t attend the concert, but were outside the fence and enjoyed it at a distance: not because we were too cheap, (ok, maybe) but because we were at another event.  How did the Class of ’77 get to be a group of old semi-retired people?  Yikes!  About 20 of us classmates gathered to reminisce, tell stories and make new memories together. Canada Day was a mix and mingle.  Saturday continued on with a leisurely boat ride on the lake and an evening’s quiz night.  Our team, “The Forgetfuls” actually didn’t come in dead last!

Canada Day ended off with a beautiful display of fireworks.  Happy Canada Day!