Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Call for Spring Cleaners!

June 21, 2022June 21, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

– – VOLUNTEERS WANTED – –

We’re spring cleaning and WE NEED YOU to help us brush away the last of the cobwebs. Angie Garon, Curatorial Assistant, has been back at work for a couple of weeks and has zipped through much on the To-do List. However, we could sure use some help with the final push through Raymond’s Store and the Station.

If you have a couple of hours this Saturday morning to help Angie and me dust and wash, and sweep and mop, you would be warmly welcomed and very much appreciated. Here are the details:

WHEN: Saturday, June 25 at 10am at the Museum
WHAT TO BRING: A bucket, a dry dust cloth, a cloth for washing (possibly dishes, possibly counters, maybe even windows…) AND a friend!

If you can make it for any amount of time at all, please R.S.V.P. so we can be totally organized and prepared to tackle the remaining chores.

Email: cmmmcutknife@gmail.com, or
Reply in the comments below this blog post, or
Reply in the comments on the Facebook post.

~ Debbie M.

Notes

Youth Advisory Council 2022-2023

June 20, 2022June 20, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

LIBRARY & ARCHIVES CANADA RECRUITING ACROSS CANADA!

“You’re dynamic, creative, aged 16 to 25 from across the country, and eager to contribute by providing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to prove that old stuff from our collection is cool? We’ve got the perfect thing for you: join our 2022-2023 Youth Advisory Council (YAC)!

This year is special, as members will be paid to help us transform our services to the public. Through virtual meetings held on a monthly basis, YAC members will develop tangible recommendations on our communications, programming and services, co- develop 1-2 pilot projects with our staff, and maybe more!

No need to have a background in the history, library or archival fields to apply. We’re looking to create a council made up of young Canadians from diverse backgrounds and life experiences who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

Visit bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/youth to learn more about the YAC, eligibility criteria and to apply. You’ve got until June 26, 2022 to do so.

Any questions? Contact jeunesse-youth@bac-lac.gc.ca.”

To print the bilingual recruitment poster, click here.

Board

Opal Margot’s Bequest

June 19, 2022July 5, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Recently, the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum and Archives was the surprise recipient of a bequest of $5,000 from the Estate of Opal Margot. The Board of Trustees is so very grateful she thought that highly of the Museum to want to support it in this way. It will take some serious discussions to decide the use for which this gift will best be utilized.

Opal Margot arrived in Cut Knife in 1942 to begin work at the Hospital, fresh from training in Regina. She spent a few years at the Salt Spring Island Hospital during the War but returned to Cut Knife in 1946 to marry Lou Margot. They spent their married life operating a succession of stores, from a general store to a self-serve store of dry goods and groceries, and later a variety store. After Lou died, Opal worked as a Visiting Homemaker with the Hiway 40 Homemaker Service. She passed away on April 11, 2021 at 101 years.

In spite of all the ups and downs I have always found the people of Cut Knife the greatest and if home is where the heart is – then Cut Knife is surely home to me and I am proud to be a part of the community that my husband and his brothers and sisters and parents have played such a vital role in developing.
Opal Margot, Where the Cut Knife Waters Flow, vol. 1, 1980

Over the years, many, many individuals and families have also decided that the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum is worth supporting financially. It’s worth the price of their admission, the purchase of a raffle ticket or a coffee and slice of pie, or the donation of their hard-earned dollars. We are very thankful that so many with a connection to the Cut Knife area recognize the value of having a Museum and Archives in their community and want to keep one here.

~ Debbie M.

Museum

Tourist Information

June 16, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

The 2022 Saskatchewan Travel Guide has been received and delivered to the Duvall House. Thank you Tourism Saskatchewan!

Museum

Flowers – as if by Magic

June 12, 2022June 12, 2022 Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

At least half a dozen large super-sized flower pots are located at the museum. They sit on the station platform, on the Duvall House back steps, at the corners of various buildings. By the time September rolls around, the flowers have reached their peak and are glorious to see. What’s magic, is that these flowers are purchased and planted by volunteers and, on a day in late spring, will just appear.

For many, many years, Bob and Betty Duncan tended the museum grounds: Bob mowing the grass and Betty planting and caring for the flowers. Sadly, Betty passed away a few years ago but Bob continues to tend the lawns, for which we’re very grateful. Last year, the ladies of the Cut Knife Royal Purple surprised the museum by taking over Betty’s tradition of planting the pots. This was very much appreciated as they had to haul water to do so.

Now, this year, both the museum and the Royal Purple were surprised when, one day, the flower tubs were magically filled with bedding plants. Marion Blain, a gardener at the Community Garden is responsible. We sincerely thank her for the donation of plants and for her time. All of us look forward to watching them grow.