Like most communities, the news in Donalda is a mix of happy and sad. Sometimes it is both at the same time. A benefit BBQ and silent auction will be held for Steve Vikse at the Donalda Community Hall on Sept 11, at 4:30 p.m. A live auction will start at 6:45 p.m. Various items have been donated which include a 3264 bushel fertilizer bin; cut and wrapped beef, paintings by Jim Brager and much more. Proceeds will go to Steve in support of his trip to India for specialized MS treatment. If you can’t make it for supper, cash donations may be made to any ATB branch. For further inquiries please contact Dave, (403) 883-2461; Albern, (403) 883-2594; or Harvey, (403) 883-2470. Steve, we all wish you good fortune in your journey.
And then there was Saturday, Aug. 21. Besides the Ag Society’s Bench Fair and pancake breakfast, and the grand opening of the new coulee hiking trail, Donalda & District Museum celebrated its 30th anniversary with birthday cake and door prizes. Around 50 people joined us throughout the day. Sincere thanks are due to the all-volunteer museum board and the museum staff for three decades of hard work for making the museum a great asset to our community, and bringing visitors from all over the world.
And on top of all that, Donalda was one of the stops on a motorcycle poker rally. The day’s party-goers welcomed around fifty bikers from a group called Women in the Wind, whose theme for the day was “Barbie gone bad!” Not only were the riders friendly and pleasant, they gave us a chance to visit some great bikes. Thanks for stopping in!
Saturday, Sept. 25 will see the museum host its second annual heritage evening. A silent auction and supper at 5:30 will be followed by a presentation from Dr. Heinz W. Pyszczyk, who will be speaking on “The Western Canadian Fur Trade – An Archaeological Perspective.” Advance tickets only, available from the museum office (403-883-2100, info@donaldamuseum.com, or www.donaldamuseum.com).
Does your town have a Chinese restaurant? If you live in any of the prairie provinces, chances are there was at least one such establishment on Main Street at some time in the past. In fact, these small businesses are such a prairie icon that the Royal Alberta Museum has developed a travelling exhibit called Chop Suey on the Prairie. And in November and December this year, Donalda and District Museum will be its very first stop. If you have a story about your local Chinese restaurant, the museum would like to hear from you.
And on to the Bench Fair. Donalda Ag Society’s 29th annual Bench Fair took place on Saturday, Aug. 21, with 338 entries from 63 entrants. Grand Aggregate winner was Irene Norman with 376 points. The Junior Aggregate Winner was Mickey Jaffray with 343 points. Class winners were:
Home Economics – Irene Norman, 144 points
Photography – Mary Mueller, 88
Junior – Jillian Bromeling, Stettler, 137
Needlework – Irene Norman, 102
Horticulture – Gerda Mueller, 221
Junior – Mickey Jaffray, 126
Hobbies – Irene Norman, 50
Junior – Mickey Jaffray, 105
Art – Junior – Mickey Jaffray, 10
Vegetable Man contest
Age 10 and under:
1st – Mickey Jaffray; 2nd – Brady Jaffray; 3rd – Lincoln Bromeling of Stettler
Age 11 – 16
1st – Alden Mueller
Colouring contest
Girls 8 and under
1st – Ruth Hofer; 2nd – Jordan Walls; 3rd – Linda Hofer
Boys 8 and under
1st – John Hofer; 2nd – Lucas Hofer; 3rd – Joshua Hofer
Girls 9 and over
1st – Abigail Hofer; 2nd – Mickey Jaffray; 3rd – Hannah Hofer
Boys 9 and over
1st – Alden Mueller; 2nd – Nathan Hofer; 3rd – Timothy Hofer