A local couple has a unique way of predicting weather and providing rest for weary walkers.
Residents of Conestoga Crest Senior’s apartments in Drayton often commented to Peter and Christine Oosterveld that by the time they walked down Wood Street from the Crest, they were in need of a place to sit and rest.
The Oostervelds, who live minutes from the Crest on Wood Street, contacted the Mapleton roads department and explained the situation.
The two teamed up, with the Oostervelds providing a concrete base and flower gardens, and the township a bench.
“It took a while but by the fall of 2015 things began to happen and the project got underway,” Peter said.
During an interview on July 19 with the Community News and the Oostervelds, a resident at the Crest, tired from her walk, stopped for a rest on the bench and expressed her appreciation.
“It really is a good thing,” Christine said.
“We get a lot of residents stopping to rest for a few minutes, then they carry on with their walk. This is a simple thing we can do to help out.”
In addition to a resting place, the bench has a resident weather forecaster.
This spring, while volunteering at the Bible For Missions Thrift Store in Fergus, Peter spotted a large Teddy bear in a bin.
He brought the bear home and placed him on the bench.
The bear became somewhat of a celebrity when the Oostervelds decided to use him as a weather forecaster.
“Fair Weather Bear, is what his name has become,” Peter said.
“He goes inside when rain is predicted and occupies the bench when the weather is fair. He’s become the talk of the neighbourhood.”
Christine added, “It’s a little bit of fun. There are so many bad things happening in the world today.
“This is our way to make things a little nicer.”
When asked about Fair Weather Bear’s ability to accurately predict the weather, Peter said, “About average – like the other ones.”
