What’s the last thing a redneck says, just before he dies?
“Hey, y’all! Watch this!”

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No rain. No clouds. An awful lot of wasps.
But mosquitoes are few and far between!

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Rain is forecast for the end of this week. Thursday and Friday are about 95 per cent chance of rain. That’s good news for farmers.
This long weekend, the forecast says a good chance of even more rain. In fact, the Accuweather forecast says we might even see snow falling on Sunday! After that, the rest of the week following the May long weekend is predicted to be soggy until the next weekend.
That won’t be bad. We’ve had a month or so of summer already. Somewhere in there, we should be seeing the end of fire bans if we do get the rain as predicted.

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Speaking of rain, local rivers and streams are flowing well even now, but there has been nowhere near the rushes of water we usually see when the bush snow packs are melted and done.
Of course, that’s because there was hardly any bush snow packs to start with!
Even with what is now flowing, low water levels in Lesser Slave Lake will continue, at least until we get some really good downpours for a few weeks at least.
As reported last week, Shaw’s Point Resort dredged out their main marina and expect it to be useable. Marinas at Faust are also in decent shape. Mission Creek at Joussard was dredged, but there is low water out where the dredging didn’t go.
Also, for any boaters in the water, the “bars” at Joussard where many anglers fish will likely be very shallow, if not actually parts of them showing out of water.
Also, the big marina at Shadow Creek campground at Joussard is reported to have adequate water, with boats coming and going already.

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With tree leaves filling out and grass greened, our beautiful northern Alberta region is looking its best.
Especially nice are the High Prairie town walking trails through Jaycee Park on the north side of town. It’s a really nice stroll and lots of people are using the trails again.
We have to give a Tip of The Page Hat to the crews cleaning up the park and ball diamonds and making sure everything looks great. Nice work!
Now, if only someone could figure out how to stop plants and roots from breaking through the pavement.

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We are still looking for names of people who are originally from around this region, or at some time were here, who were living or working in Fort McMurray when the big fire hit that city. So far, we only have two names! Seems to us there should be quite a few more.
We just wanted to list the names in a news story here, and maybe interview a few. Phone the News at [780] 523-4484 or text [780] 523-8649 if you know somebody.
Next week we will feature Sally Hamelin, former South Peace News employee, who fled the blaze.

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Since it is the beginning of the summer season, the fellow decided it would be a good idea to join the evangelical group at his favourite campground.
The pastor gave his flock a rousing and inspirational sermon, then invited the newcomers down for a cleansing in the lake. The fellow thought that to be a great idea, and joined in.
Standing waist deep in the cold water, the pastor shouted, “In the name of everything Holy, let us cleanse our body and soul as we search for Jesus.”
He then pushed the fellow’s head under the water. He let him up, then shouted, “Have you found Jesus yet, my son?”
Then he pushed his head under again. And yet again!
The throng got caught up in the excitement, shouting “Hallelujah!” The pastor was shouting, “Cleanse yourself, and find Jesus!”
He pushed the fellow’s head under the water again and again. The fellow was drowning!
Finally, the pastor paused. The fellow was able to catch his breath for a second and shout. “Wait! Are you sure he’s down there?”