Hand Hills Grapevine News: The Circle of life at Hand Hills
By Marilyn Vredegoor
Hello, Hand Hills – it has been really gloomy and dull here this last week. It was not weather-related, but we had the sad news that two of our Hand Hills Ladies passed away. Gerry Radke passed away on September 20 after a brief illness. Gerry would have been 70 at the end of November. Gerry and the late Ryan Radke lived and farmed in the Hills. They raised four children. With the passing of Ryan in 2004, Gerry stayed on the home place until her move to Drumheller. Gerry found fulfillment in her newfound love of working at Riverside Value Drug Mart. Gerry was the sparkle when you walked in the door. The love of her family was never a doubt, and she would do anything for them. In the early years, Gerry was a force to be reckoned with on the baseball field. No one played shortstop as intensely as she did, and she expected the team to play like that. She was very competitive, and she let her presence be known when it came to her kids sports. Gerry was a hard worker all her life. Rest in Peace, Gerry, your work on this earth is done—condolences to the whole Radke Family from the Hills.
Rose Rosin is what I call a true fighter. For over 7 years, Rose fought that dreaded Cancer. She gained her wings on September 22. Rose was a determined person, and that is what carried her through her Cancer journey. Rose could sing better than any bird, she was an artist, she loved animals and nature, and she was a mentor to lots of people. Her family was at the top of her list of life loves, and she taught them to be independent, reliable and loving. The real love of her life was Larry, and together, they built a lifestyle that matched both of them. They were married in 1980 and raised four children. They were blessed with great son-in-laws and of course, their precious grandkids, a bakers’ dozen. Community was a huge part of who Rose was. Rest in Peace, Rose. You are our Angel, way up there painting the skies—our sympathy to the whole Rosin Family at this sad time.
Brandon Cuddie and Ashley Grant welcome their baby daughter into this world on September 21. Tallie Rae Dawn Cuddie was born in Stettler and weighed in at 8 pounds 10 ounces. A Baby Shower was held for baby Cuddie about a month ago, and Ashley received so many nice gifts that she will now be putting to use. Congratulations on this new bundle of joy. She will be loved!! Enjoy every cuddle, Cuddie and Ashley!
And it is another boy added to the long list of Moench boys. Connor Moench, oldest son of Rod and Jenn Moench, welcomes a baby boy named Maverick to the family. This is the second grandbaby for Jenn and Rod, and also that makes Stan and Marge Moench and Marvin and Cynthia Siewert Great Grandparents once again. Enjoy that little one!
Mike Roberts, Brother of Pinky Tabor, came for a visit the other day. Mike has been Manager at the Waldron Grazing Co-operative, south of Longview for 15 years. He decided that it was time to retire. The Ranch had doubled in size since he took over. This Ranch is the largest deeded block of land on the eastern slopes of Alberta. We rode with Mike on this Ranch back in 2011, and it was such a beautiful track of land. Lots of work went into the cattle, and Mike had it all handled with ease. For now, Mike is travelling around to family and friends with his holiday trailer until the right job comes along.
At the Club Meeting last night, the 28th, a few dates were set so that you can start marking them on the calendar. The Ranchers Ball is on November 25. The Club is working the Casino in Red Deer on Jan 19th and 20th and will need volunteers. Valentine Supper and Dance is February 10, and tentative dates for the 2024 Stampede are May 31, June 1st and 2nd.
Turkey Supper was the main topic of discussion at the Club Meeting. Calling all you Expert Pie Makers, there will be a Pie Making Bee on Saturday, October 14, starting at 10 a.m. We need to roll out 175 pies! Please phone Marilyn to volunteer or just show up, and you will be given a job. The Turkey Supper is on October 22. The Work Bee will be the Saturday before and will start at 9 in the morning. Lots of vegetables to peel, turkeys to stuff, and tables to set, so your help is needed. If you can help out on either of these days, please give me a call 403-854-0626
Lorne Coultman, is a photographer who was at the 2023 Hand Hills Stampede, and he took a wide range of photographs and has compiled them into a Souvenir Book. It is available for all to buy. Check out the Hand Hills website handhills.ab.ca or his own website at Coultman.com. You might see yourself in the book. I have a copy if anyone would like to see it, and it will be on display at the Turkey Supper.
The real reason why I do these articles came shining through on a Facebook message from Lloyd Derry, formerly of Hanna. He wants more information on the Anderson, that built the Lady of the Lake. He also wants more about the boat itself, as he had never heard of it. If it was Bill Anderson who built the boat, that was Lloyd's godfather, and Lloyd remembers being in his blacksmith shop in Craigmyle. Staying connected is what this grapevine is all about. Who can give Lloyd more information?
Till next week – Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.