Another important piece of Boissevain history has now passed.
Jack Douglas Houston passed away in Kelowna, BC on Tuesday, October 13. Long a part of the Boissevain community, known for his service to the town in many capacities, he will be missed by those who remember his broad smile and friendly manner.
Houston was born to Doug and Ethel Houston on May 23, 1936 in Bowsman, Manitoba. The Houston’s moved to Boissevain in 1945, where Jack finished his secondary education before moving on to study pharmacy at the University of Manitoba. This was following in his father’s footsteps, as Doug had purchased Gamble’s business when moving to Boissevain.
For all farmers, harvest 2020 was a whole different situation than harvest 2019. This was no different for the charitable field at Fairfax.
The Boissevain, Morton and Whitewater Growing Project held their harvest on Thursday, October 1. Organization President Darren Peters said the date came up pretty much at the last minute, but they did get good participation.
“We just had the people driving the trucks and the combines this year,” Peters explained. “We had 12 combines, 12 trucks and one grain cart. We got started about 12:30pm and were done by 4:00pm, so it didn’t take too long.”
Usually, there is a community lunch on the outskirts of Fairfax prior to the combines hitting the field. This year, due to COVID-19, it was scuttled. Peters said it was definitely a little lonelier at the site.
Hopes are high the interest shown in a local equestrian trail system will continue to grow and those involved will get the support needed to keep it in good condition.
Myna Margetts, a local equestrian enthusiast and well-known endurance rider, was involved in creating the Souris River Bend Equestrian Trails between Margaret and Nesbitt in the bed of the Souris River nearly 30 years ago. Although originally created for endurance riding, in more recent years the trails have been promoted to any equestrian riders. Margetts said she is trying to get the word out to more people interested in horse riding.
“I think people are a little intimidated,” Margetts explained. “It was set up as an endurance trail, and there are some tough parts, but shortcuts have been built around some of the trails. There are difficult, steep climbs there, but you don’t have to go on those sections.”
What a difference a year makes!
In almost a prelude to the challenge that was 2020, the fall of 2019 was a disastrous one for farmers. Heavy rain and then snow made decent looking crops impossible to get to. Farmers got stuck in fields, and eventually had to wait until spring to get what was left out of the ground if for no other purpose than to plant another crop. When spring came, the land was wet and muddy, and the hopes were they could get the old off, the new in and the growing and harvesting season would be a little kinder in what has not been a kind year.
Come harvest 2020 and the differences are hard to imagine. As of now, harvest, which was in almost permanent pause this time last year, is wrapping up in many fields. The weather was mostly decent for the growing season, and with a few blips, good for harvest. Jake Ayre, who farms with his father Andrew at Southern Seed in the Minto area, said the change is amazing.
