Highway 43 to Mazenod has certainly seen better days. The 'Rough Road', 'Loose Stones' and 'Slow Down' signs are plentiful. It is not an easy drive especially when pulling an RV.
There is not much left of the old farmsteads that once surrounded the town. Ron points to a clump of trees here and some fallen down buildings across the road and remembers the families who used to reside there. The only thing marking the old Kesslar home are three shiny new grain bins. Nothing remains of the once busy two household farm where the Kesslar family first homesteaded when they came to Canada.
We approach town from the west entrance and are greeted by the one remaining town business. The old Co-op Service station still pumps gas and sells a few confections to the remaining town residents. That would be a grand total of seven people. This Co-op was managed by Ron's dad, John Kesslar for 20 years until his death in 1957. We spoke to a current Co-op employee. He is a young fellow who bought the former United Church manse for $400. and is now happy to call Mazenod his home.
We have been told that we can park our RV anywhere in town and we choose a spot near the town hall where the festivities will take place. We are behind the home that Ron grew up in, now abandoned and overgrown.
This area behind the home was once the family garden until the town decided to move the outdoor skating rink here. Today, there is no evidence of either. A couple of old sheds and a small broken greenhouse are all that are standing in the freshly mowed field. I am once again amazed by how much work has been done by a handful of people to spruce up the town and get ready to host a homecoming plus a roast beef dinner for 400+ people. Many thanks to this hard working, dedicated crew.
We visit the graveyard behind the big old Catholic church. It is now the garage and shop for the current resident of the once upon a time rectory. Again, the graveyard has been mowed and is well kept by one of the local residents. Ron trims up the large spruce tree which was planted as a tiny green sprig at the head of his dad's grave.
Back at the town hall there is lots of reminiscing and laughter. We are treated to a wiener roast and an endless supply of homemade desserts. Everybody still pitches in for these small town celebrations. On Saturday we line up in front of the hall for the parade. We quickly hide our beer cans when we learn the local RCMP is the lead car. The old vehicles, old farm machinery, a couple of floats and the thrown candy are enjoyed by all. My favourite candy? A pair of false teeth. Too funny.
Other events include an afternoon beer garden and a tour of the Dennis Spanko farm. Dennis has reconstructed miniature structures of the former Mazenod businesses. Many of his old vehicles and machinery were in the parade. There is musical entertainment plus speeches by the MLA and SARM reps. The roast beef dinner? Delicious and plentiful. "Metro" (www.metroscomedy.com) provides some comic entertainment and after dark, fireworks light the sky. The weekend concludes with a Sunday morning continental breakfast and a prayer service.
Once again we have enjoyed this 'step back to the past'. Although Mazenod wouldn't necessarily be considered a "Go Here Destination" for much of the year, you will be welcomed and entertained at least once a year when the former town's people gather, share stories and bring back life to this old town.
The above was posted at "Go Here Destinations": https://goheredestinations.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/coming-home-to-mazenod/
