Author: Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

museum sign
Board, Museum

Proposed Bylaw Amendments (2023)

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

For community members interested in the CMMM’s governance, we’ll be voting on these 3 amendments on Monday, June 26. The Board meeting will be at 7:30pm at the MAAC (Museum Archives and Administration Centre) at 113 Broad Street. This notice was first posted on March 26, 2023.

Amendment #1

Whereas there is no longer a local newspaper,
Therefore be it resolved that:
ARTICLE IV: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
B) Notice of Annual Membership Meeting shall be advertised in the local paper at least 15 days before it is held.
Be amended to read
B) Notice of Annual Membership Meeting shall be advertised at least 15 days before it is held.

Amendment #2

Whereas it is becoming more difficult to have people interested in attending our AGM or to be a trustee, and
Whereas a minimum of 6 members to attend and vote at the AGM meeting is attainable now and into the foreseeable future,
Therefore be it resolved that:
ARTICLE IV: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
C) A quorum for the Annual Membership Meeting shall be a minimum of 8 persons.
Be amended to read
C) A quorum for the Annual Membership Meeting shall be a minimum of 6 persons.

Amendment #3

Whereas at times, when regular or special Board meetings are held, it is necessary to wait for a period of time until quorum requirements are met,
Therefore be it resolved that:
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
Section 3: A quorum for any meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be a minimum of 5 (five) members of the voting Board members.
Be amended to read
Section 3: A quorum for any meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be a minimum of 4 (four) members of the voting Board members.

These bylaws may be amended by a 2/3rds majority vote at any duly called (regular or special) meeting. Notice of the proposed action must be communicated to all members in writing at least 30 days prior to such meeting. Any action to amend the bylaws must be noticed in the meeting agenda.

These amendments will be eligible for a vote on, or after Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

ww1 battlefield
Archives

Remember Private Ernest Robinson?

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

During SCAA Archives Week 2023, we shared a request for information that we’d received from a museum in Belgium.

The CMMM Archives received a request for information from the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 in Belgium. Their researchers have been able to identify the wartime burial locations of more than 1,400 of the 6,928 missing Canadians in Flanders. One of the burial sites located has been identified as belonging to Ernest Robinson, who homesteaded in the Cut Knife area. His name is listed on the Roll of Honour in our local history book Where the Cut Knife Waters Flow Volume I.

from: In Memory of Private Robinson, Feb. 6, 2023

The Passchendaele Museum wanted the Robinson family’s descendants to know his burial site had been determined. His last known next-of-kin had resided in Tatsfield, Saskatchewan, which the museum was unable to trace to a modern address. The next step was to contact the CMMM regarding Names in the Landscape, their digital exhibit sharing the lives of the Canadian soldiers lost in Flanders. They asked for photos of, or archival references to Ernest Robinson that would help tell the story of his life.

We asked our readers for any photos and / or memories they might have of Private Ernest Robinson that we could forward to the Passchendaele Museum. Not only did we receive excerpts from a number of local history books, but through the power of social media, we were able to reach a family member. Since then, the Robinson family has put together a submission for the Names in the Landscape online exhibit.

Pte. Robinson’s nephew, Ken Robinson and Ken’s cousin Holly Robinson have researched and written a short biography of Private Ernest Robinson. It is an honourable tribute to someone whose life was cut so short. It includes a timeline and description (with references) of his military life. They have kindly shared the link with us.

Remember Private Ernest Robinson. Read more here.

~ Debbie M.

RCMP red serge jacket
Archives, Museum, Summer

Seeking Photos for Exhibit

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

In preparation for the CMMM’s 2023 summer season, Lucille is putting together a 150 year RCMP commemorative exhibit. She is requesting photos of former, or present, Cut Knife and area RCMP members.

Please send scanned photo(s) along with name(s), years of service and location(s) to ckmuseum@gmail.com. Thank you for your help.

Currently on display in the Cut Knife Library is RCMP 150: The Red Serge.

ovenstown original museum building
Board, Museum, Summer

Mission Accomplished

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

ALL SET FOR THE SUMMER STAFF

Spring cleaning 2023 is done! We had a crew of 7 Board members and community members, and did we ever make short work of it. Sweeping, mopping, dusting, shining – and removing mouse traps with prey in various states of decay… In any case, the buildings are all set for our summer staff to take over. We’re excited about Donna and Owen joining us this season, but we’ll introduce them to you a bit later.

We were so focused on getting through the buildings that I almost forgot to take photos until the very end. I was lucky to catch Colton finishing the mopping, and Lisa in the freight shed, but at the beginning, I found this gem in the Station house:

vintage autobridge training board
Autobridge: Learn to play bridge or improve your game.
mopping up and dusting
Colton mopping; Lisa dusting signage and artifacts.

Many thanks to Jean, Donna, Paul, Lisa & Hunter, Chris, and Colton for their hard work.

~ Debbie M.

Events, Museum

In Search of Textile Crafts

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL SATURDAY, JUNE 17

WHAT WILL YOU FIND IN YOUR LINEN CLOSET?

The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest for CMMM’s Canada Day Quilt Walk is this Saturday, June 10. Expressions of Interest will let us know if there’ll be enough submissions to go ahead with the exhibit. The magic number is 20 items and, at this point, we’re a little short. So, tonight, I’m looking through my linen closet, drawers, unpacked boxes in the spare room, and every other nook and cranny in this house. All in the hopes of coming up with a couple of crafted items that would be appropriate for the event.

  1. Souvenir handkerchiefs from Switzerland and St. Thomas, a silk head scarf from Las Vegas: ages uncertain and almost certainly with stories to tell, if only I knew them. However, being able to share the story, or the cultural history of the submission is an important part of this exhibit. A short description of your item(s) will be expected when they’re dropped off for display.
  2. Household linens, embroidered and sewn by my paternal grandmother. She had doilies for every conceivable surface, tablecloths for dining tables and card tables, and handcrafted pillowcases for a family of 7. And one flour sack that never received a makeover, which somehow made it all the way to me. Needlecrafts are definitely an art form. Do you have a favourite piece you’ve created or that’s been passed down to you? Would you like to share it with us?
  3. Blankets from my maternal grandmother. Made during WW II from recycled woolens because military uniforms had priority for new wool. Historical context, cultural context and symbolism: it all makes for an interesting read.
  4. 4-H project place mat I made in 1973. The only one left of a set of four. Still looking good except for the big, black marks. Important: All ages and all skill levels are invited to participate.
  5. Child’s summer quilt with butterfly appliques, created by my paternal grandmother. For many years, I used it as a wall hanging. I hope it’ll be hanging in Tomahawk Park on Canada Day along with at least a dozen other items to keep it company.

The CMMM is looking for Expressions of Interest from individuals who would like to participate in the Museum’s Canada Day Quilt Walk. Email cmmmcutknife@gmail.com with your name, contact info, and a brief description of the item(s), whether quilts, embroidery, weavings, etc. The event will only go forward if there will be enough submissions for an exhibit.

UPDATE: DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: SATURDAY, JUNE 17.

Note: Although all efforts will be made to monitor the artwork at all times, and to protect it from damage due to weather or other sources, artwork will be submitted at the owner’s risk.

Click here to print off a pdf copy of this post for a bulletin board near you!

~ Debbie M.