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Jim Baird and family celebrate 100 years of farming

A “century award” plaque was presented by MLA Rick Strankman to the family.
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Gadsby/Westwoods News. FILE PHOTO

On Saturday, Sept. 23 close to 100 family members and friends gathered to help Jim Baird and family celebrate 100 years of family farming on the original McPhee/Baird farm. The farm was homesteaded by Johan Bendig in 1909. A glitch in records shows a James McGee owning it in 1910 but records were corrected in 1911 when John McPhee purchased the farm. This was Mary McPhee/Baird’s uncle. A “Century Award” plaque was presented by MLA Rick Strankman with the message, “It’s about real people.” County councillor Greg Jackson also spoke on “a community of families” as well, wishing Jim Baird a happy 92nd birthday. Birthday cake and singing followed, with a luncheon of beef on a bun and salads.

Lunch was served at the Gadsby Community Hall for family and friends following the interment service for Belle Fisher at the Gadsby Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 23. Belle and her husband Bill lived just north of Gadsby where Stan and Gloria Diegel have farmed for many years. Bill taught school in Gadsby and they also ran the drugstore. When Bill passed away in 1997, they were living in Red Deer, having retired there. Sincere sympathies to son Ron (Fran) and their family, and daughter Marlayne. Daughter Marion passed away several years ago. Belle leaves four grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She was 103 years young.

Mom Hailey Dodgeson hosted a ‘Meet and Greet’ in Stettler for baby Greyson Dodgeson held at the Canalta on Saturday, Sept. 23. Proud Grandma Velvet Nickerson was among the guests.

The ladies of the Gadsby Omega Circle met at the home of Jimaine Walgenbach on Thrusday, Sept. 21 to discuss and plan for the 97th annual Bazaar and Bake Sale, which will be held in the Botha Community Hall on Saturday, Oct. 28, beginning at 2 p.m. There will be crafts and like new white elephant, pail prizes and raffles, guessing game and popcorn prizes for the kids, fish pond; and coffee and cake will be served.

Gadsby’s Kerri and James Pothier are busy with Christmas decorations once again this year. They have already outfitted several trees with lights, strung lights around the yard and are now setting up displays to once again delight residents and those travelling through Gadsby. Light up will be in conjunction with Santa Claus Day at the Gadsby Community Hall, the first part of December, with date to be confirmed later.

The Memorial Park in Gadsby has undergone renovations with leveling, clearing of debris, and new sod laid. Sprinkler system has been installed and is used daily to water the new grass.

The Gadsby Village office has new hours and will be open on Tuesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Thursdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Gadsby dump will begin winter schedule, which is Saturdays only, after Thanksgiving.

Once again there has been a cougar sighted in the Village on numerous occasions. Keep an eye on your young ones and your pets.

Nominations for the 2017 elections have closed. Running for office in Gadsby are Ivan Andrews, Brian Burks, Fred Entwisle, Jacqui Purves-Smith, and Dan Tuck. In Ward 4, Gadsby County are Larry Clarke and Elaine Hoekstra. Best of luck to all participating.

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