Stelpe Our Home: Stelpes Pagasts - The Most Active Community In District Vecumnieki

On September 25, the owners of the most well cared for farms were honored in the renovated clubhouse of Bārbele (Bārbeles Tautas nams). Many individuals having added to the overall beauty of District Vecumnieki by keeping their farms tidy and beautiful were honored and awarded on this event. Believe me or not, Stelpe won the most prestigious nomination - the Most Active Community.

Picture: The respected flower selectionists of Stelpe Visvaldis Viņķelis (gladioli) and his wife Ilga Viņķele (irises) being awarded prizes. The girls' vocal group singing for them.

Picture: The head of Stelpe Pagasts Elmārs Jukonis expressing his gratitude for the recognition of Stelpe as the most active community of District Vecumnieki.

Picture: A humorous sketch by "two chickens" from Kurmene.

Picture: Our most respected biological farmer Andris Kalniņš receiving the well deserved award not only for the well looking vicinity of his farm but also for his active participation in legislation initiatives against genetically modified agriculture and for his encyclopedic knowledge about farming, which he readily shares with everyone.

Picture: A funny sketch set up by Stelpe Theater. (From left) Gypsy man - Jānis Klāviņš, baron - Valdis Rusiņš, baroness - Agita Šķiliņa.

Picture: My wife Sandra (with microphone) leading the program.

Picture: Stelpe dancers are welcome to the neighboring communities. Now there is seldom an activity without them being invited. The vigorous and spicy performance sets them apart from other groups.

A few pictures about Barbele:

Center of Barbele. The Barbele Lutheran Church.

Memory stone for those exiled to Siberia. From this spot next to the club house, the road of suffering began for many people of Bārbele who where exiled to Siberia by the communist regime in 1941 and 1949.