Rosetown, Saskatchewan

Right after school ended Olivia and I flew out to Saskatchewan to visit my 92 year old aunt Maria and my two cousins – Larisa who lives in Rosetown and Irene in Saskatoon. 

We spent 4 great days in Rosetown catching up on family news, sifting through ancient family history, drinking coffee and re-connecting. 

There is something special to be able to talk to people who knew your parents and knew you when you were small and fill in blanks that otherwise would go unanswered. At 92- Auntie Maria looks just the same as I remember her..30, 40 and 50 years ago!!

Olivia spent her days swimming at the community pool- which had warm water and a heated hot tub area.. so she could stay in virtually all afternoon without freezing! She made a new friend named Preston.

We even went to mass on Sunday morning with my aunt so the priest could bless Olivia. Before leaving Rosetown we went to visit the Alex Ositis Foundation Wall at the hospital. Alex was my godfather and a well-loved and respected surgeon in town. The Foundation established in his name buys much needed specialized equipment that the tiny Rosetown hospital would not otherwise have.

On our way back we stopped to see Irene and Doug in Saskatoon and caught up with their lives. They spend a lot of time travelling around the world often searching for ancient Russian Orthodox churches to give Irene the inspiration for creating her own icons. We had a lovely lunch in a local bookstore where just a few months before Doug Schmeiser had done readings from his new book - A Settling of Accounts. Check the weblink to Indigo...  http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/A-Settling-of-Accounts-Douglas-Schmeiser/9780888873842-item.html?ikwid=schmeiser&ikwsec=Home

Rosetown is in the heart of the prairies and the flat farmland stretches for hundreds of miles in every direction, as far as the eye can see. The sky is enormous with majestic fluffy clouds on sunny days and a menacing darkness before rainfall. 


We enjoyed our trip and hope to visit again next summer and perhaps take a road trip up to northern Saskatchewan to visit Lake Waskesiu where elk wander the streets and peer into lodge window as well as Lac La Ronge provincial park which is even further north and is world renowned for its fishing. No more rock bass for Miss O.. some of these fish weigh more than she does!

My very first airplane trip ever was to Saskatchewan- with my mother when I was five..more than 50 years ago.. so I hope to put those two pictures together as soon as I find the box with the old photos!

Here are some facts about Rosetown.

·         Declared a Town in 1911.

·         Town named after James and Ann Rose.

·         Population of 2,277 (according to the 2006 Census) with 1,114 houses

·         Over 5,000 vehicles pass through the community every day.

·         One of only two areas in the province to grow canary seed.

·         Approximately 50 clubs and organizations.

·         2006 Communities in Bloom National winners in their population category.

·         Rose Trail is a seven km walking trail throughout the town.

·         Six parks with diverse landscapes and activities.

·         Hosts the largest men's curling bonspiel under one roof - Rosebowl.

·         Six Hutterite colonies in the west central area