A special resident of Botha area is celebrating his special day today - July 9. So I would like to wish Mr. John Hankins a very happy birthday, hope you have a great one John, and many more to come.
Hey! Kids have you had a couple last few day of fun with the Botha Summer Playground Program, and ready for another great week of activities that are coming up. This Thursday, that is tomorrow, is an “in house” activity day long with Friday, July 11 being the same. However, on Thursday, besides indoor activities, they will be playing ball, with either a water bottle or a baseball. Come join in the fun and see what it will be. Then on Friday, what will it be, a red fish, blue fish day? Come join in the fun and participate in the fun and find out. The following week, Tuesday will be arrrggh pirates’ day. So come and join in the fun and find out what they are planning by this.
If you haven›t got your child registered already for this great program, please phone Jaimie Wahl at 403-742-5986 or email her at gdwidw@xplornet.com, to find out more information about this fantastic program taking place in the month of July. Don’t let your child miss out on any exciting upcoming events. It’s a great way to spend some of your summer months.
The Botha Community would like to say farewell to Mr. Hammond (principal at the Botha School) and his family and wish them all the very best in their future. The Botha School is really going to miss him and would like to say a big thank you to him for all that he›s done while working at their school.
But here›s a big welcome to Mr. Mike Flieger and his wife as they move to our little village and Mr. Flieger steps into Mr. Hammond position as the principal at the Botha School for the upcoming school year and hopefully longer.
Darrell Cholach was added to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, so a big “congratulations” goes out to him. He is a resident of the Botha area.
The organizations that were formed at the early stages of the development of Botha was the Woman’s Institute (W.I.) and the 4-H club. The W.I. was the first of the two established in 1915 with about 35 members, which grew in numbers and by 1920, the number of membership had risen to 65. Meetings were held in the hall above the hardwood store, which was transferred over to the hall when the hall was completed.
The W.I. ladies have always took an interest in this little community by starting some projects such as a traveling library, gathering and giving used clothes to the less fortunate in the southern part of this province. They also stressed health standards in the school by 1990; under the auspices of the W.I., Miss Corvoy, a R.N., gave a series of lectures on health in the hall.
This organization helped in several occasions by giving scholarships to grade 9, 10 and 11 students, which, in turn, help the cancer campaign. They also gave treats at Christmas and on sports days, helped with the Boy Scouts and clubs, donated gifts also to Michener Center in Red Deer and also to the Ponoka Mental Hospital and Camrose Women’s Shelter. As we can all see, these women were awfully busy and a very active and helpful group for a lot of people.
From the Stettler Independent archives, it seems dress making demonstrations were put on by the W.I in 1927.Beginners were to start with something simple like bloomers, which was right on.
Talking about the 4-H Club, Botha started a club in 1951, initially with nine members. This little group was sponsored by the Alberta Government. Through their hard work, this small group received the Grand Champion Award and also some money from the government.
They unfortunately had to wind up this little group due to lack of interest, but they never gave up and had to restart the organization three times, before it finally took off. The last one started up in 1984, and still continues today Enclosed are early pictures of the W.I and also the starting and final picture of the 4-H clubs.
Doing anything next Tuesday, July 22, around 7:15 p.m.? Why not come out to the Botha Seniors’ Center and try and win some coin. The Bingo balls start falling then and numbers start getting called. Who knows you could be one of the winners taking it home with you. So come out and take in all the excitement, hope to see you there.
BOTHA BOOSTER