Knitting is a classic farm tradition, often the birthplace of many Christmas gifts. Many knitters, as they marvelled at the creations growing in their hands, have wondered how knitting was invented. Most historians agree it originated from nomads in the Arab world. Lela Nargi stated, in Knitting Around the World, “Arabic knitting is a generic […] Read more
Stories by Sheri Hathaway
History of canning leads to the Napoleonic Wars
Canned food improved soldiers’ nutrition but was slow to catch on until the invention of condensed milk in 1856
It’s not a real summer if I don’t can at least seven quarts (one batch in my canner) of peaches. I’d miss peaches, my favourite canned fruit in the winter, if I didn’t have any. Nothing good can be said to come out of war unless it’s the inventions that we use today. When Napoleon’s […] Read more
Soldier settlement was a double-edged sword
Efforts to help returning soldiers acquire their own farms had devastating consequences for First Nations and their land
Canadian soldiers left their jobs out of patriotic fervor in both world wars, gave their all on the battlefield and then came home to an uncertain future. Moreover, they returned to a far different homeland from the one they left. Many were disillusioned by the high prices created by wartime inflation. For some, their own […] Read more
Happy camping takes good planning
Canadians love to camp. We have wonderful campgrounds and beautiful wilderness to do it in. People camp for adventure and to make memories, but some unhappy memories may result if you haven’t planned ahead. A camping trip can feel like you’re moving because there’s so much to bring. My family has a list of essentials […] Read more
Food is easily the best part of a camping trip
Simple dishes made of favourite foods served differently create treasured memories of the family sharing a fun meal
For many people, the best part of camping is the food. Simple meals made of favourite foods served differently create treasured memories of the family sharing a fun meal together. There are things you can do to reduce the work of meal preparation at camp. The criteria for camp food is, it should require the […] Read more
Cyclone of 1912 devastated Sask. capital
The twister hit June 30 as residents prepared for Dominion Day, killing 28, injuring 300 and damaging many buildings
The Regina Cyclone remains the worst tornado in Canadian history, 111 years after it occurred. On June 30, 1912, an F4 twister killed 28 people, injured 300 and caused $12,000 in property damage ($30.5 million today) and left 2,500 people homeless. Called a cyclone back then, today it’s classified as a tornado. Cyclone is the […] Read more
The quest for the strongest pants
“Waist overalls” evolved from tough overgarments to save miners’ clothes to into durable, fashionable workwear for all
Blue jeans have long been a favourite of ranchers, farmers and miners who need tough clothing to withstand long days of active wear. Today, jeans are everywhere and are worn for a lot more than work. The journey to success for jeans began with two men with very different stories. One had business savvy. The […] Read more
Round barns boast a long history in Canada
Structural stability, easier construction and more efficient feeding were reasons given for constructing circular buildings
My memories of growing up on the farm include moments in the barn, sitting on the extra milking stool with a cat on my knee, talking to Dad while he milked Lucky or Star or whichever cow it was. Other moments include a warm summer afternoon, entering the dim quiet of the barn, laying on […] Read more
The road to foot and mouth was long, but the path was short
The 1952 foot and mouth outbreak in Sask., started with one man from Germany in October, by February it was well-spread
In 1951, the world was recovering from the Second World War, financially and emotionally. People looked for new ways to get ahead. Willi Bruntjen, a 29-year-old farm worker, left his homeland of Germany on Oct. 15 and came to Canada seeking a new life. He wore his only clothes, a brown suit, and carried a […] Read more
4-H celebrates 110 years in Canada
The country’s largest out-of-school educational program makes its classroom wherever young people gather to learn
On Jan. 11, 4-H clubs in Canada celebrate the organization’s 110th anniversary. The first 4-H club in Canada was formed in 1913 at Roland, Man., and quickly spread across the country. Only 11 years earlier, the idea began in the United States, filling a need for a way to pass agricultural knowledge on to young […] Read more
