July 15, 2016

Bob: Who can believe that July is half over already? Time seems to be moving so quickly now.
Had a short walk this morning and it started raining about 35 minutes into the walk. I was about home in 5 more minutes and I had an umbrella so that part wasn't bad. However, the temperature was only 51. The high was about 68 today. It seems like fall. But warmer days lie ahead.
I mentioned last night that gas prices haven't changed since we got here. Well all things must end sometime. Gas price dropped today to 102.9. It will be interesting to see how long this lasts.
I want to tell you a little bit more about Jack Perry, who had dinner with us last night. Jack retired as Haileybury Harbor Master in 2010 at age 66. He held that position since 1992. The main job responsibility Jack had was to meet those arriving in Haileybury via boat. At the time he held the Harbor Master's job it was possible to travel by boat from Ottawa to Haileybury. There were 7 hydro dams on the route. To get around the dam, a truck and trailer would pick up the boat with a hydraulic lift and then drive around the dam. Then on the other side they would put the boat back in the water. They charged $20 for the service. College students were hired to do the work. You could call ahead and tell them what time you would be arriving and someone would be there to take your boat around the dam. None of the dams have locks. Well, someone got the idea they should use an 800 number and have people on call to drive to the dams when needed. In time this system did not pan out and now there is no service offered to get around the dam.
Anyway, getting back to Jack. He would meet the visitors and take them for a tour of the town. If they wanted, he would take them for a tour around the area and show them some of the interesting sights. At times he would lend them his car so they could drive themselves. He also went around the city planting flowers, trimming trees, picking up trash, and anything else he could think of to show off Haileybury. He also would sponsor dinners for the guests. He wanted them to have a good visit and talk up Haileybury to others when they went home. Each year of his 18 years the number of visitors via boat to Haileybury increased. Jack loves to talk and it was a labor of love for him. He had visitors from all over the midwest and, of course, Canada. One man called and wanted to know if the lake could handle his 30 foot sailboat. Jack told him '...the lake was 72 miles long after he crossed the last dam, so he thought it would be big enough!'
Jack took Bonnie and I on a tour of the Cobalt silver mines 2 years ago. We're going to take a longer tour of it this summer and I want to write down the stories he tells us about Cobalt mining.
We went to a Catholic funeral today. We live right beside the Catholic Church so we just walked across the street. It was supposed to start at 11:00. It started a few minutes late, but we didn't get out of there till 12:45. It was interesting. They passed Communion and took an offering during the funeral. Most of the service was in French so we didn't understand it. They did sing some beautiful songs, though. They had a choir, plus a male and a female vocalist.
Well I have got to run. Have a great weekend. We are headed to the Branch picnic tomorrow morning. Love to all and good night brothers.
Dad/Bob

Bonnie: I have to admit going to a Catholic funeral service is one of the most interesting things I have done on our mission. The church is beautiful inside, with many paintings of the Savior all around, including the ceiling. There are archways, and lit candles and hard pews! The service began with a daughter holding a cross with a small replica of the Savior on it who walked down the aisle, leading the rest of the family and the casket to the front of the church. It was enjoyable to watch the service. We stood up and sat down at various times, following the many French Catholics all around us. Of course, we didn't know when to repeat things or say "Amen" but it was ok. The couple on our left were not Catholic, either. One time the French women sitting on our right pulled out the "kneeling bench" (for want of the correct word) that was near the floor under the pew in front of us, to kneel and pray. This was a bit of a surprise! They asked for donations part way through, too. But, the music was glorious and it was great watching the four priests in long white gowns carry out their sacred duties. The best part was when both daughters shared some personal stories about their mother in English. I really enjoyed the whole experience.
I just finished making a salad for the picnic tomorrow (except for putting on the dressing.) Bob and I are going to do our French lessons, watch a movie and head for bed. I  hope all of you have had a geat day.
Love, Mom/Bonnie