When she stepped into the Haying in the 30’s world for the first time ever during the Aug. 1 – 2 event, Rose Schjonning couldn’t believe her eyes.
The 84-year-old Schjonning was transported to a lifetime of farming memories, as she watched passers-by flock by in old-fashioned dress, people haying, well-boring, making shingles, riding buggies, passing out drinks, playing music and more, all surrounded by buildings that conjured a vision of a different time.
“When I came home Sunday night, I couldn’t sleep. All the pictures were in front of my eyes,” says Schjonning. “I was so excited.”
In her time there, the Crane Lake resident also got to pay a debt of gratitude to the organization that helped her and her husband, Ole, in their time of need.
“Last year, I had a little lump on my throat – I told my doctor for two years it should be checked,” she said, recalling she was told not to worry, that it was likely a cyst. However, after she pursued a second opinion, she was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid.
A feeling of bitterness overtook her, but also one of shock, since she and her husband had always led healthy lifestyles.
“The pressure and shock is out of this world,” she said. “You know, when you have cancer, it doesn’t just affect you, it affects the whole family.”
She had her thyroid removed, followed by a five-hour operation last fall, which was in turn followed by a three-month stay at the Compassion House in Edmonton.
That was when someone suggested she could appeal for help to Haying in the 30’s, which supported her by covering the costs for her accommodation in Edmonton, with nothing but the request that if she was happy with their help, she could give them an acknowledgment with a thank you in the local paper.
“I felt that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to do something – I wanted to give something back.”
Her daughter suggested that her mother, who had taken a Master’s in Fine Arts while in her 60s, could paint something and donate it to the group to be auctioned.
“So that’s what I did,” she said, referring to the oil painting she had donated for the weekend. During the live auction portion of the day, Schjonning’s painting fetched $2,600 to go towards the organization, and support others affected by cancer.
The contributions of people like Schjonning saw Haying in the 30’s have a “super fantastic” weekend, surpassing all previous years’ totals, and the organization president’s expectations.
“I wasn’t really expecting to surpass last year’s mark,” said Lorne Buryn, noting that when the donations were tallied on Sunday, they estimated a “phenomenal” $229,000 was raised.
He added that since that tally, “we’ve been getting a number of online donations and we’re way over $230,000. It is very incredible.”
The event is completely free of charge, but 100 per cent of the donations go to supporting those affected by cancer. Their gratitude fuels the efforts of the core group of 50 to 60 volunteers who work year-round on the event, and the close to 300 volunteers who help stage the two-day weekend, said Buryn.
“It just keeps the adrenaline running so we can keep doing what we’re doing, and keeps our volunteers on a positive note,” he said, adding that a big thank you goes to the volunteers and teamsters who work to provide food, drink, music, demos, rides, and help throughout the event.
“Without the volunteers and teamsters, this weekend wouldn’t be possible.”
Now that she is cancer free, Schjonning is already looking forward to the next year, at which time, if all goes well, she will be back with another gift for the group.
“Believe me, I will give them another painting,” she said. “To get help from them, it takes so much pressure off you, you can’t imagine, you can’t imagine how good it feels. That’s why I would do anything for them.”
