Author: Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Museums 101 2014
Board

Museums 101: The 2014 Version

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

Last Friday morning, John, a fellow CMMM Trustee, and I were on our way into North Battleford for the Museums Association of Saskatchewan (MAS) course, Museums 101, and wondering what-the-heck had we gotten ourselves into? Hosted by the Allen Sapp Gallery, the workshop was scheduled to be a 6 – 7 hour presentation based upon a 120 page, coiled, policy handbook. Not the most exciting subject matter, to be sure, but were we pleasantly surprised!

Kim Houghtaling, Curator of the Art Gallery of Swift Current (seated above), and our MAS Representative, Dan Holbrow (standing), led us through the material in a series of PowerPoints, readings and round-table discussions. Houghtaling was a great moderator and, almost effortlessly, synthesized the information presented by the group leaders. Holbrow showed us, time and again, how MAS had the resources to help with many of the situations our museums encounter. Our surroundings were enlivened by beautiful artwork; we were served lots of good food during our breaks and we were able to connect with other museum professionals.

And, that’s probably one of the more interesting things we learned from the course: When our volunteer-driven museum follows the procedures and protocols set out in the Standards for Saskatchewan Museums, we become professionals; our museum is seen to be managed in a professional manner. The CMMM has already incorporated many of these standards into its operations and we have our Curator, Lucille, to thank for that!

I also spoke to representatives from the Melfort and Sturgis Museums, from the Allen Sapp Gallery and from the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in Battleford. We shared tips on preserving heritage buildings; commiserated with each other about the agonies of grant writing and realized, no matter the age of the building, there will always be pests to control. I confess I’m taking away much more than I’d anticipated and, in the process, have met some wonderful people that I’m looking forward to seeing, again.

~ Debbie M.

diamond bling
Events

Ladies, It’s Your Turn

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

October 25th is less than three weeks away! So, put away the jeans, let your families fend for themselves for the evening and come out for CMMM’s 2nd Annual Ladies’ Night Out. Walk the red carpet in disguise or dressed to the Nines. The choice is yours!

Last year’s event holds a lot of good memories for those who attended. The Baldwinton Hall was the scene of the crime, oops, location of the fundraiser and, of course, a heavy snow descended just prior to the event. This meant a scramble to clear the parking lot for red carpet arrivals but, as they say in the biz: The show must go on.

And, go on, it did. A great meal was served; amazing entertainment catered to the ladies; there were prize-winning costumes and laughter rocked the hall till midnight. Rumour has it that two, count ‘em, two limousines were hired by guests for the evening. If you missed the fun in 2013, mark a star on your calendar for Saturday, October 25th. This year, we’re coming to Cut Knife.

The Jolly Roger Banquet Hall in Cut Knife will host the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum’s 2nd Annual Hollywood-themed Ladies’ Gala Evening**.  Details as follows:

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th from 5:30 p.m. – 12 Midnight
WHERE: Jolly Roger Banquet Hall at the corner of Steele Street && Battle Avenue (formerly the Royal Canadian Legion building)
COST: $50 per Diva / Group Table Rates (8) available

For tickets, please contact Gale 306.398.4064, Janice 306.398.4713, Cheryl 306.398.4053, or Lucille 306.398.2619 OR purchase at the Innovation Credit Union.

Tickets include Live and Varied Entertainment, Served Meal, Silent Auction, Door Prizes, Best Costume Prizes.

**Note this event is restricted to those 19 years of age and over.

ALL PROCEEDS TO THE CLAYTON MCLAIN MEMORIAL MUSEUM

Fundraiser Press Release October 2014

~ Debbie M.

Board

Saying Goodbye to Museum Friends

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

It is not easy to say goodbye to long time friends of the museum. 

Museum boards in small towns tend to accumulate dedicated people who give years of their time and energy. And we are so grateful that they did because the museum would not exist without their many volunteer hours.

This year some have chosen to retire and though we are sad to see them go, we understand. Retirement is not a bad thing if one does it voluntarily. They can look back and see much that they accomplished. 

We wish Orval Ens, Lloyd How and Azelia Tesolin many more years of happy and healthy retirement. Your dedication to the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum will be remembered and appreciated.

As well this year we have had to say goodbye to Walter Pooler who passed away September 30, 2013. Walter was such an integral part of the museum it will seem strange without him. From Christmas Lights, a ticket in his pocket for sale, to lively dance music, Walter’s ideas kept life interesting. His tours left visitors with a smile on their face and always with a bit of poetry. The following poem will forever be linked with Walter, a good man who loved his community and who gave it his all. 

Leetle Bateese ~ by Henry Drummond

YOU bad leetle boy, not moche you care
How busy you’re kipin’ your poor gran’pere
Tryin’ to stop you ev’ry day
Chasin’ de hen aroun’ de hay–
W’y don’t you geev’ dem a chance to lay?
        Leetle Bateese!

Off on de fiel’ you foller de plough
Den w’en you’re tire you scare de cow
Sickin’ de dog till dey jomp de wall
So de milk ain’t good for not’ing at all–
An’ you’re only five an’ a half dis fall,
        Leetle Bateese!

Too sleepy for sayin’ de prayer to-night?
Never min’, I s’pose it’ll be all right
Say dem to-morrow–ah! der he go!
Fas’ asleep in a minute or so–
An’ he’ll stay lak dat till de rooster crow,
        Leetle Bateese!

Den wake us up right away toute suite
Lookin’ for somet’ing more to eat,
Makin’ me t’ink of dem long leg crane
Soon as dey swaller, dey start again
I wonder your stomach don’t get no pain,
        Leetle Bateese!

But see heem now lyin’ dere in bed,
Look at de arm onderneat’ hees head;
If he grow lak dat till he’s twenty year
I bet he’ll be stronger dan Louis Cyr
An’ beat all de voyageurs leevin’ here,
        Leetle Bateese!

Jus’ feel de muscle along hees back,
Won’t geev’ heem moche bodder for carry pack
On de long portage, any size canoe,
Dere’s not many t’ing dat boy won’t do
For he’s got double-joint on hees body too,
        Leetle Bateese!

But leetle Bateese! please don’t forget
We rader you’re stayin’ de small boy yet,
So chase de chicken an’ mak’ dem scare
An’ do w’at you lak wit’ your ole gran’pere
For w’en you’re beeg feller he won’t be dere–
        Leetle Bateese!

~ Lucille B.

Board

Hi! Pie & Coffee Thursdays

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

This summer we thought we’d try something different at the museum to attract more local residents to the museum on a regular basis. One of our new board members came up with the idea to host a weekly social event at the Duvall House, include pie and coffee, and have an ongoing silent auction.

It has been a great success bringing about 30 people each week to enjoy the visiting and of course, the pie.

Organizer, Gale, has enlisted the help of many pie makers in the community. Our capable summer staff have helped with the setting up, serving and cleanup each week. Two of the young staff members even made pies without being asked!

The exhibits in the museum and the sales shop has had more traffic as well. As well as locals there have been outside visitors.

It goes to show how just one new person with new ideas to try can really make a difference. 

~ Lucille B.

Archives, Our Stories

Ancient Trail Mapped

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

FROM EAGLE HILLS TO MANITOU LAKE

manitou lake battleford trail by lloyd how
By Lloyd How

Lloyd How’s interest in local history and archaeology is reflected in a new acquisition to our archives.

Ancient trails crisscrossed this country mapping the routes that were used by the First Nations, the European explorers, the North West Mounted Police and then the immigrants that followed. One such trail crossed the lands that Lloyd and his wife, Noreen, lived on before they retired to the town of Cut Knife. They both grew up seeing the evidence of the trail as indentations in the prairie soil and recognizing that it is disappearing.

This ancient trail was used by the local River Cree as they traveled from the area where the Battle and Saskatchewan Rivers joined at the Eagle Hills (Battleford) to Manitou Lake, Sounding Lake and further into Alberta. These lakes are considered sacred by the First Nations and were often visited via the trail.

Anthony Henday used this trail in 1745 as he made his way through what is now Western Canada.

Along the trail are many areas that were used for centuries for camping, hunting and trapping. Lloyd consulted local Cree elder, Wally Simaganis, written historical accounts, and locals who remembered seeing the trail. Then he spent countless hours exploring and mapping.

Thank you, Lloyd and Wally, for all of your work in the mapping of this ancient trail to keep alive stories of this corridor and the fading memories of those who walked or rode along it.

~ Lucille B.