OUR TOWN, PART THREE

In our continuing series showing the highlights of Raymond, Alberta, Canada we bring you ~~
The Raymond Clinic (doctor's office) and the Raymond Hospital, seeing as how we were at both of these places in the last two days. Calvin has been sick since Thursday, developing a nasty cough, sore throat, low-grade fever, aches and BIG back pain. It got worse by the day, so on Monday morning we headed to the hospital since the clinic didn't have an appointment until later in the day. We got fast, friendly, efficient service from caregivers who live in our own ward. In fact, Calvin is the home teacher for the x-ray technician and her sister did the bloodwork. The chest x-ray was clear and Calvin was told to go home and take 3 Advils every 8 hours to relieve the pain; we were in and out in less than two hours, and got the required "doctor's note" after a three-day work absence.
The picture above is the Raymond Clinic where we went on Tuesday for the doctor to fill out a form which Calvin's employer THEN stated needs completed if MORE than three days are missed.

This is the Raymond Hospital. It is on the far side of town from where we live, but is a nice facility. It also is the only place in town with a pay phone~~Calvin discovered that in September when he wanted to call me in PA. Note of interest, there are NO ATM machines anywhere to be found other than built into a bank. Sheesh!! Keeps me from spending money for sure.

This is a "Welcome to Raymond" sign near the hospital, with an old wagon in the background. I didn't even know you could come in and out of town on this road, so I definitely have no idea where it goes. But coming in, welcome to Raymond!!

Service to Others

Last night at 8:30 our doorbell rang. When I answered the door, there stood a member of our bishopric, Brother Anderson.... you know what that means. A calling for someone, and that would be me! So today I became the CTR 7 teacher. All the excited-to-be-baptized-this-year children. It will be so much fun!!

Extended Visit

After a 4+ week visit to Pennsylvania in January, I returned to Canada on February 9th ~~ and brought my mother, Libby Barnett, with me!!! She is staying with us anywhere up to six months ~~ or longer, if she chooses. We left her dog, Chuck, in the care of other family members, but Mother misses him very much. She even called him the other day!

Mother likes to stay inside where it is warm, but still goes out for her weekly hair appointment here in town. She has learned to wear her gloves when outside; handrails are cold on bare hands!

MY OWN PLAYLIST!!

Wow, I figured out how to add a playlist! Some of my faves will now automatically play when you check out my blog! Now if I can only figure out how to put a picture at the heading ~~ messed around with it some last night, but no go!! Guess my braincells can handle only so much for one day.....

OUR TOWN, PART TWO

This is one half of our church building. It is a Stake Center, and one of the largest chapel buildings in Canada. There are THREE kitchens in this building, and the gym is huge! It is as big as the York College Wolf Gymnasium was before a new one was built a few years ago. There is a second floor and a mezzanine over-looking the gym.
Okay, so this is the other half of the church building -- this is the gym side that I spoke of earlier. I don't think I have seen the whole building yet, there is so much of it.

This beautiful building is now home to the library, town hall, and the theater. It is a tripod-shaped building. By that I mean that the third wing sticks out the back and you are just seeing the other two wings. It used to be the stake center and was sold to the town for ONE DOLLAR. What wonderful architecture.. the library is on the right and the theater on the left, which seats about 200 people. There are many plays and concerts performed in our little town -- many musically-talented people reside here. From October to December, we attended at least five performances. I love this aspect of the town!! There is alot going on!

This is the new pharmacy being built, with plans to open this month. It sits right on the town square and will be the biggest store in town! The pharmacy is currently squished in a little tiny building behind this new one.

There is alot more to our town, but that will come another day. Thanks for visiting!!!

OUR TOWN ~~ RAYMOND, ALBERTA

Today you get a tour of our little town on the edge of the prairie -- Raymond, Alberta, population approximately 3,500. We live 20 minutes from the nearest 'larger' city, Lethbridge, which has two Walmarts. But in Raymond, well, see for yourself!!

This is called 'The Merc' -- on one side is the hardware store and the other side is the grocery store. More expensive than going to Lethbridge, but great for last-minute items. But it doesn't stay open very late. (I am SO used to Walmart, 24-hours.)

This is the post office where we have a box --1510-- which is located at the very bottom. I wonder if we get a higher box the longer you live there... I keep my mailbox key on my keyring, or it would be lost. In Canada, there is no mail service on Saturdays, which now the U.S. is considering to cut costs. By the way, to mail a letter from the U.S. to me (hint, hint) it costs 72 cents, while it costs me 96 cents Canadian money to mail a letter to the U.S.

This is a view driving down Main Street (also known as Broadway). The street is very wide and parking on an angle is allowed in the middle. When it snows, sand is spread instead of the salt used in the U.S.

This is Luc's Chinese Restaurant -- the only main one in town. We eat here every few weeks; they have a smorgasbord, but it doesn't begin to compare to the variety found in the States, but it is pretty good food.There is even a laundromat in town, located next to the post office. I have never seen anyone in here so I guess most people do laundry at home. There are five washers and five dryers.