A few inches of welcome rain fell on the weekend after many days of dry hot weather. Crops, including the hay crop, were beginning to show signs of damage due to the dry conditions.

It is with great sadness I report the death of a lifetime resident of the district, Gerald Pike. Gerald passed away at his home in Maidstone July 10 at the age of 88 years.

Gerald was the fifth child of a family of nine children born to Everard and Winifred Pike of this district. He attended Forest Bank School.

In 1950, Gerald married Lois Corker of Forest Bank. Together they raised a family of four children — Randy, Keith, Kevin and Melanie, while farming in the district. All but Melanie received part of their education at Forest Bank School.

Gerald was an individual of many interests and consequently his life touched many people. One of his greatest interests was sports. He excelled in ball, hockey, broomball, bowling, curling and other lesser sports. He spent many years coaching young people, particularly in ball. He loved to sing and dance, activities in which he and Lois spent many happy times. Community work was high on his list.

Above all Gerald was a family man, spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members. His sense of humour, interesting conversation and thoughtfulness will be remembered by all.

A funeral service for Gerald was conducted from the Maidstone Legion July 14 and he was laid to rest in Forest Bank Cemetery.

A former resident of the district, Sylvia (Brady) Fenton of North Vancouver, B.C. recently spent a few days visiting with friends in the area. Among those she visited were Bernice Hope, June and Jim Hope and Alice Jack.

Joanne Rawlinson of Kelowna, B.C. spent a few days during the past weekend visiting with her parents Eileen and Keith Evans.

Helena Pike and members of her family were pleased to have an overnight visit from her niece, Bernadine and husband Vern Babuick and Vern’s sister, Jackie and her husband. The arrived the afternoon of July 9. The two couples are from Mission, B.C. and are presently on a cross-country motorcycle tour. They plan to be back in Mission by the last week of August. They enjoyed supper with a number of family members, pitched their tents for the night and had breakfast before continuing their journey.

Gully Gus says, “They say middle age is the time of life when your legs buckle and your belt doesn’t.”