Lundar Love - written by Runa Beatrice Palsson
I love my hometown, mostly for the friendly and caring people. They are always ready to lend a helping hand and look in on you if you’re not well.
I made a special trip to the main street here in Lundar, Man., to really look and see what was there. I discovered I’d been taking many treasures for granted. Yes, Lundar is a very good place in which to live.
While I stood absently watching heavily loaded semis roll by on the No. 6 highway, I was slowly transported back in time to the beginning of Lundar.
I visualized a narrow road laboriously hewn by hand through heavy underbrush and a thick forest of popular trees and sturdy oaks. Work horses pulled loaded wagons through the deeply rutted road.
Men and women of Icelandic descent struggled to settle the land and make a living dairy and cattle farming or fishing on Lake Manitoba.
I was in another era feeling the struggles, pain and courage of the pioneers. Then, the thought crossed my mind, “What would it be like to build a town from scratch?”
Shaking myself back to the present, I remembered why I was there.
Why do I like my hometown so much? I like the sense of security with these people. We have done a lot of living both good and bad, together.
Like a large family, we have learned to agree to disagree with a certain amount of grace. This has taught us to work together and to trust and rely on one another.
My town has a lot to enjoy. There are a variety of recreational activities such as music, dancing and sports. There is also the Pauline Johnson Library, names for a former teacher on her 100th birthday; the best way to find out where you come from is to read your own history at the library.
Summer activities range from swimming at the local pool or lovely nearby beach, to sharing an ice cream cone or playing baseball.
The main event however is the agricultural fair where the Interlake beauty queen is chosen.
Autumn brings the lovely colours of fall and the haunting call of the wild goose. The wilderness is close by for those who love nature.
October brings hunters from far and wide to compete in the annual “All Canada Goose Shoot.”
The whole town and countryside go all out to give the hunters a fine welcome. The trap shoot and ploughing match are fall activities that many love to attend. It’s also nice to take visitors along to the fall vegetable and flower show, or to the museum.
When you go shopping prepare for an extra 30 minutes to an hour for visiting; we need to know how everyone is doing. Your life here is an open book.
Winter brings the rousing sounds of the good old hockey game. Curling and ice fishing are also popular.
The annual Winter Ice Carnival gives the figure skaters a chance to show off their skills and there is the crowning of the king and queen.
Then winter passes into the long-awaited spring. The month of April is Lundar’s Bull Sale and Show weekend. This is the time for Manitobans to show and sell their best purebred cattle.
As part of the “Coldwell in Bloom” program people meet to plant the beautiful gardens. This group turns on the summer magic around town with lovely displays of flower power.
Each season offers something fresh and lovely to enjoy. Even in times of sadness we can give thanks because there is still much to enjoy and remember. I like everything about my hometown. There is no other place I would rather be.
The greatest welcome after you’ve been away is when your neighbours wave and call out, “Glad you’re back, we missed you!”
Runa Beatrice Palsson
May 8, 1927 - December 28, 2009