Around the Southwest

By Donny White

Maple Creek artists/photographers, both past and present, have been enjoying some well- deserved attention. Wendy Nuttall has just completed two successful presentations and people are still buzzing over Jon Bowie’s excellent presentation at the annual meeting of the Harness Club.  Considerable work goes into these presentations – thanks for sharing your work, time and expertise.  Keeping with the theme, don’t miss the Bob Symon’s art exhibition at the Esplanade Museum in Medicine Hat – it runs to May 14. Check Dominique Liboiron’s review of the show in the March 17 edition of the News.  Al Hartley, a Maple Creek photographer, is featured in a solo exhibition at the Swift Current Art Gallery entitled: SeekingTranquility.  An artist’s talk/reception will be held on April 16 from 2-5 p.m. with the closing on April 24.  Some of Al’s earlier work is exhibited in the Round-up Restaurant in Maple Creek.
The Jasper Centre continues to support a wide variety of cultural activities. The Maple Creek Music School under the direction of Heather Macnab, Barb Levorson, Chelsea Cox and Alana Hansen teach piano, singing, speech arts & drama and are preparing their students for the upcoming Music Festival the end of April.   The Leader School of Dance under Tiffany Wagner is also active.  Watch for more details regarding the upcoming annual meeting of the Jasper Centre later in April.
Consul Museum, (one of Saskatchewan’s first virtual museums) is working on a new project.  They are hoping to document early ranches/ranching on Battle Creek, Middlefork Creek and Lodge Creek watersheds.  Anyone having information/photographs is encouraged to contact Susan Pridmore.  The Consul School is looking for old photos of early school buildings within the RM of Reno – contact Jamie Brost in regards to this interesting project.
The old Fire Hall in Eastend may be getting a new life – Acting Chief Librarian for Chinook Region, Jean McKendry is investigating the feasibility of using it as an alternative space for the Eastend Library.  Kelly Dean (former Maple Creek resident) is assisting her in this regard.  Across the street, the new Eastend Museum is taking shape – board members Ken & Ethel Wills inform me the foundation is poured and the building-shell is up.  Fundraising efforts continue for the museum – the next event is an Easter Egg Hunt at the T-Rex Discovery Centre on April 2nd, 1:00 p.m. If work continues as anticipated, a fall opening may be in the cards.
Condolences go to the Beech family of Bellingham, Washington on the passing of their mother/grandmother, Anne Beech (Noland) on March 16. Mae-Anne, as she was known in local circles, was raised in the Cypress Hills near Eastend.  The Noland’s/Armstrong’s were/are well-known in the ranching circles in the southwest.  Anne is survived by son Kevin, his wife Shaerna and two grandchildren Xavier and Cathrina, as well as two step children Barbara Mathews and Rod Beech.
The Salvation Army in Maple Creek is celebrating its Centenary this year – if you have any early photographs or information in this regard please contact either Captain Ed or Captain Charlotte.
The annual report of the Cypress Credit Union indicates that $13,500 was given in sponsorships and donations to organizations in the southwest – several arts/heritage groups were among the fortunate recipients. Thanks to the Board & Staff of the Credit Union for giving back to deserving projects in the southwest.
If you have any “happenings” regarding Arts & Heritage activities/information or items of general interest in the Southwest, please email me at donnywhite@sasktel.net  or call 306 662 2080.

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