The CMMM would like to put together a series of note cards with original museum-related artwork. These note cards would be used for Board correspondence and packaged for sale in the Gift Shop.
We are looking for one or two volunteers who would help the Board organize a Call for Artwork. Organizers would set up the parameters of the project, an outreach plan, selection criteria, etc.
If this sounds like something you’d like to do, please email cmmmcutknife@gmail.com, or speak with Board members Colton, Randy, or Debbie.
When we say “volunteers power the museum,” we mean it. Yesterday’s ‘Spring Cleaning’ work bee is a really good example. One crew cleaned out and cleaned up the Transportation / Machinery shed while a second crew dusted and freshened up the Station House and Raymond’s Store.
To clean up the back of the shed, a few of the artifacts had to be moved out of the way.
13 people, some with trucks and trailers to haul garbage to the Transfer Station, others with buckets and dust cloths to tidy up displays, were on site for 2 – 3 hours to help ready the CMMM for its July 6 opening. There’s still some work to do but these are big items to have already checked off the list.
Many, many thanks to everyone who came out Saturday morning. You’ve lightened the load for us this year! This note from Angie, “A HUGE “Thank You” to all from me! I greatly appreciate it!” And, so does the Board.
Tania cleaning mini-blinds (slat by slat) & Terri at the cupboard.Finished with the shelves, Jean moves on to the wood stove.Debbie H. removing the artifacts, dusting the shelves, dusting the artifacts, replacing the artifacts. Repeat.Lyle A., Randy & Mel trying to decide… Angie & Colton investigating… something…
Missing from photos Lyle C., Lucille & Rick, Debbie M.
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.
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
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.
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum 