Thanks to baseball shrine
As a Saskatchewan girl who is now in her 50s, I have fond memories of summer community events — in Regina or Indian Head and often at one of the lakes. Our cottage was at Katepwa but we had family friends all down the lake chain.
In August, I was transported back to those community days. My dad, the late Kenneth R. MacLeod, was inducted as a builder into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in Battleford.
The weekend festivities, which marked the 31st annual induction ceremony, began with a free luncheon in the community hall and a tour of the Hall of Fame. Despite a water safety warning and a chilly, wet day, I was amazed that nearly 150 people attended to enjoy fellowship, tasty little egg salad sandwiches and an endless supply of homemade dainties and hot coffee.
That evening, more than 250 people attended a sumptuous banquet at which 13 individuals, including my dad, two teams, one family, one community and an honorary inductee were celebrated. Inductee Bob Armstrong spoke on behalf of those honoured and Hall of Fame President Jane Shury, who — with her late husband David Shury — founded the Hall of Fame three decades ago, guided the entire program. Jane continues to care for it today.
It’s hard to explain to people who are not from the prairies what it means to be welcoming and warm in the unique way that Saskatchewan people are. That cold weekend reminded me exactly what’s it’s like to be a prairie girl.
I will never forget the food, the stories or the opportunity to share the experience with my mom (Amber MacLeod), my son (Cayman Shutter), my dad’s brother and his wife (David and Barbara MacLeod), family friend and long time sports journalist Lorne Harasen (who is on the Hall of Fame board) and family from Saskatoon and Alberta.
Cayman grew up in Hawaii and although he knows well the stories of our family and our close connection to its various communities (and the football team), this summer he had the opportunity to experience a Saskatchewan summer party like no other.
I wish to congratulate Jane Shury and her team for planning and executing an amazing weekend and I’d like to thank her for giving my family and me a weekend of unforgettable memories.