(Page 13)
With more than 550 people contributing 4,000 entries and another 6,000 attending (all records) the recent 103rd Annual Priddis & Millarville Fair was an overwhelming success.
"It all came together in a really positive way," said Fair Chairman Bill Powell. "In the end, we may have had something in the area of 6,000 people through the gates, including kids under 12 and Fair people. That's way more than double what the Fair has normally had in the past and I had people telling me through the day it was the most fun they'd had in a long time. It was just great to see all the smiles and that's a wonderful reward to all of the volunteers who came together to make it all happen after the events of April."
The decision of the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society to fully integrate the popular Millarville Farmer's Market into the Fair created a carnival-like atmosphere while the additions of a Youth Committee as well as light horse (Pony Club) and cattle (4-H) also infused new energy into the event.
“We want to ensure we were strengthening not only the Fair but also other MRAS activities by reaching out and including other local community groups like the Pony Club and 4-H," said MRAS President John Dakers. "We'll all be stronger and building a better community by working together."
That renewed Fair momentum should carry through into subsequent years as well, says Mr. Powell. "I think this year has re-charged everyone involved," he said. "We were particularly happy to see more younger people stepping forward through the Youth Group."
"Kid's World," a larger, special area set aside with many activities for children, was a great success in enticing young families to the Fair, with more than 500 children passing through. Beyond that, the petting zoo was highly popular and children of all ages were entering the Fair in competitions as varied as junior photography, junior baking or junior woodworking and crafts.
The Fair day wound down with a fitting conclusion to the much anticipated mystery of who might take home "Millie The Massey," the rust-covered but still functional 1950 Massey Harris 44 tractor donated by Millarville-area businessman Paul Teskey. In turning the aging workhorse over to the Fair, he would have no idea the tractor would eventually be named Millie, would be the unlikely subject of dire threats from military fighter pilots and local fire departments, would be hugged adoringly by a famous blonde starlet and would raise $10,000 for the Fair and the Alberta Farm Safety Centre.
More than that, says Mr. Powell, Millie served as a rallying cry for volunteers and a source of humour for the entire community.
"It was an odd thing that became a big thing," said Mr. Powell. "Everybody was really into it and having fun with it."
There were several loud "WHOOP's" from the back of a crowd of several hundred as Mr. Teskey read the winning entry of the tractor at the Fair's Stampede Stage. The source of the outburst was someone familiar to most, Fair photography committee chair Myrna McKay, who ran boisterously through the crowd, arms pumping the air, saying she was the source of the winning entry, having paid for the ticket and written the name of her friend Denis Nate, a city dweller, who apparently had no idea his name was in the mix.
It's only at your local county Fair that such a story would be taken at face value, without a hint of doubt or the raising of an eyebrow, and Ms. McKay could complete the scene by acting as agent for the absent winner in concluding a public handshake deal with Michael Weinberg, Executive Producer of the internationally syndicated TV series "Heartland" to have Millie used as a set prop in an episode, with Millie ultimately being donated back to the Fair.
Without doubt, the 2010 Priddis & Millarville Fair will be forever linked to Millie The Massey.
The Priddis & Millarville Fair, a tradition now more than a century old, brings together not only generations of ranching and farm families from across southern Alberta to proudly participate in displays and competitions involving livestock, garden produce, baking and other aspects of rural life but also local town and city folk who enjoy a day in the country.
The Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society (MRAS) was founded in 1907 and overseas all events/functions at the Millarville Race Track, located about 30 minutes southwest of Calgary. MRAS oversees the upcoming Millarville Christmas Market on November 5th to 7th, the 106th Millarville Races on July 1st, 2011, the 15th Annual Millarville Rodeo in 2011, the 104th Priddis & Millarville Fair in August 2011 and the always popular Millarville Farmer's Market running every Saturday from late Spring to early Fall. More information about the society and its events, including the Market, Rodeo, Fair and Races, can be found at www.millarvilleracetrack.com
Photographs See Page 20
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Sheep River Library - Registration Now Open
(Page 16)
If you haven’t already signed up for your fall classes, plan to attend the Community Registration night at the Flare ‘N Derek in Turner Valley on Thursday, September 9th. Volunteers will be ready between 7:00 and 9:00pm to help you pick a program of interest and will sign you up for the free courses offered at the Library. Some of the September programs that might interest you are:
Is Going into Business Right for You - Sept 14th
Travel Talk on Kenya with Pete and Susan Brooksbank - Sept 15th
Book Talk with Betty Jane Hegerat on Sept 17th
Introduction to Computers on Sept 22nd
Movie Night - FRESH on Sept 23rd
Malawi, Africa Vision 202 mission with David and Irene on Sept 28th.
For the little ones, the Book Buddies program starts on Wednesday afternoon, September 15th at 1:00pm.
This program is sponsored by Literacy For Life and assists parents and children make keepsake books. This program for three and four year olds includes songs, finger plays and book sharing. There is no cost for the eight sessions. Register soon.
McBride Career Group is planning on holding an Open House at the Sheep River Library on Monday evening, September 20th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Come and meet the staff and learn about the programs that they can bring to our community. This organization is highly active and committed to assist unemployed individuals to access meaningful employment opportunities, assist working Albertans to identify steps and move towards job and career goals and to support the hiring, training, development and retention of capable employees. McBride Group maintains high quality standards, results oriented approach and a strong emphasis on excellence in service. Partnering with the library, McBride Group will be offering their valuable services this fall in the form of two classes; a Career Planning seminar in October and a Resume Writing workshop in November.
Fortis Alberta has donated two power monitors to be circulated to interested library patrons during August and September. Power monitors are small devices that measure and display the electrical usage of household appliances as well as the cost of running the appliance. Fortis wants to help customers cut down on their electricity costs and by making power monitors available, people can use them for free to identify the appliances that are using the most electricity and costing the most money. Residents can borrow the monitor from the library as they would with any other library item.
What about the TILES FOR SMILES project! Well it is coming along very nicely, thanks to the many people who have purchased tiles. There will be two tile painting days in September. The first is on Saturday afternoon the 11th from noon ‘til 3:00pm. And the second painting day is the 22nd of September from 5:00 ‘til 7:00pm. If you haven’t purchased your tile yet, pick up a form at the library.
If you haven’t already signed up for your fall classes, plan to attend the Community Registration night at the Flare ‘N Derek in Turner Valley on Thursday, September 9th. Volunteers will be ready between 7:00 and 9:00pm to help you pick a program of interest and will sign you up for the free courses offered at the Library. Some of the September programs that might interest you are:
Is Going into Business Right for You - Sept 14th
Travel Talk on Kenya with Pete and Susan Brooksbank - Sept 15th
Book Talk with Betty Jane Hegerat on Sept 17th
Introduction to Computers on Sept 22nd
Movie Night - FRESH on Sept 23rd
Malawi, Africa Vision 202 mission with David and Irene on Sept 28th.
For the little ones, the Book Buddies program starts on Wednesday afternoon, September 15th at 1:00pm.
This program is sponsored by Literacy For Life and assists parents and children make keepsake books. This program for three and four year olds includes songs, finger plays and book sharing. There is no cost for the eight sessions. Register soon.
McBride Career Group is planning on holding an Open House at the Sheep River Library on Monday evening, September 20th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Come and meet the staff and learn about the programs that they can bring to our community. This organization is highly active and committed to assist unemployed individuals to access meaningful employment opportunities, assist working Albertans to identify steps and move towards job and career goals and to support the hiring, training, development and retention of capable employees. McBride Group maintains high quality standards, results oriented approach and a strong emphasis on excellence in service. Partnering with the library, McBride Group will be offering their valuable services this fall in the form of two classes; a Career Planning seminar in October and a Resume Writing workshop in November.
Fortis Alberta has donated two power monitors to be circulated to interested library patrons during August and September. Power monitors are small devices that measure and display the electrical usage of household appliances as well as the cost of running the appliance. Fortis wants to help customers cut down on their electricity costs and by making power monitors available, people can use them for free to identify the appliances that are using the most electricity and costing the most money. Residents can borrow the monitor from the library as they would with any other library item.
What about the TILES FOR SMILES project! Well it is coming along very nicely, thanks to the many people who have purchased tiles. There will be two tile painting days in September. The first is on Saturday afternoon the 11th from noon ‘til 3:00pm. And the second painting day is the 22nd of September from 5:00 ‘til 7:00pm. If you haven’t purchased your tile yet, pick up a form at the library.
Rhythm & Bursaries
(Page 20)
By Todd Curran
Linda Walsh of Beneath the Arch presented two Foothills students with $750 bursaries toward their education in performing arts. OHS grad Blake Murray is attending the music program at Red Deer College and will be putting his money toward tuition. Flautist Megan Graham is upgrading her instrument to an open key flute, which is a necessary tool in the progress of her musical instruction.
For more information on Beneath the Arch and the bursary program, visit www.beneaththearch.org.
By Todd Curran
Linda Walsh of Beneath the Arch presented two Foothills students with $750 bursaries toward their education in performing arts. OHS grad Blake Murray is attending the music program at Red Deer College and will be putting his money toward tuition. Flautist Megan Graham is upgrading her instrument to an open key flute, which is a necessary tool in the progress of her musical instruction.
For more information on Beneath the Arch and the bursary program, visit www.beneaththearch.org.
Local Athlete wins Gold at 2010 Canada 55+ Games
(Page 20)
Juliette Jacobson, from Black Diamond, won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and the 500m Track and Field in the 70+ age category this week at the 2010 Canada 55+ Games held in Brockville, Ontario and the 1000 Islands from August 23rd to 28th.
Approximately 1530 people aged 55 and over participated in the 2010 Games in 19 core events, ranging from athletic competitions, such as track & field, swimming, hockey and slo-pitch to mental challenges like bridge, scrabble and cribbage; as well as in two Open Canadian Championships: 5K and 10K road races.
The Canada 55+ Games began in 1996 and are a nation-wide program to sponsor wellness ~ that is, the spiritual, mental and physical well-being among Canadians 55 years of age and older. They are held every two years. The Games combine competitive physical activities and mental challenges. Registered participants have won competitions in their categories in their respective provinces and territories. Look for more detailed information about the 2010 Games at: www.brockville2010.ca
Juliette Jacobson, from Black Diamond, won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and the 500m Track and Field in the 70+ age category this week at the 2010 Canada 55+ Games held in Brockville, Ontario and the 1000 Islands from August 23rd to 28th.
Approximately 1530 people aged 55 and over participated in the 2010 Games in 19 core events, ranging from athletic competitions, such as track & field, swimming, hockey and slo-pitch to mental challenges like bridge, scrabble and cribbage; as well as in two Open Canadian Championships: 5K and 10K road races.
The Canada 55+ Games began in 1996 and are a nation-wide program to sponsor wellness ~ that is, the spiritual, mental and physical well-being among Canadians 55 years of age and older. They are held every two years. The Games combine competitive physical activities and mental challenges. Registered participants have won competitions in their categories in their respective provinces and territories. Look for more detailed information about the 2010 Games at: www.brockville2010.ca
Longview Link
(Page 22)
Once again it's time for a huge Thank You to all of the volunteers who worked endlessly on 2010 Long Stock, AKA Longview Music & Arts Festival, to make it a success. To each and every artist & musician, as well as all the volunteers, we appreciate all your efforts. Eva, great job and congratulations to EVERYONE who worked hard to make the event the success it was. Everyone I have spoken to had a wonderful time.
And now here we are once again at the beginning of a new school year. Where has the summer gone? Just a reminder to all motorist, PLEASE slow down, watch for children on their way to and from school. Highway 22 is very busy, no matter how much you remind children, someone always forgets so we do ask that the motorists watch out for the safety of our future, our children.
I was lucky enough to catch a second festival on the weekend of Long Stock. A festival to raise money for STARS was held at the OUTPOST at Maycroft on Highway 22 on Saturday with more great musicians taking part there as well. To the volunteers and musicians once again we tip our hats to your hard work and wish you success for 2011.
Our sympathies are extended to Lois Lyons and family in the loss of Bob Lyons, a longtime resident of Longview. Bob had a smile for everyone and was always more than willing to help. If there was music, you could find Bob nearby. We will all miss him and wish Lois the best in her move to the Lodge in Black Diamond.
Until next time,
Chey
Once again it's time for a huge Thank You to all of the volunteers who worked endlessly on 2010 Long Stock, AKA Longview Music & Arts Festival, to make it a success. To each and every artist & musician, as well as all the volunteers, we appreciate all your efforts. Eva, great job and congratulations to EVERYONE who worked hard to make the event the success it was. Everyone I have spoken to had a wonderful time.
And now here we are once again at the beginning of a new school year. Where has the summer gone? Just a reminder to all motorist, PLEASE slow down, watch for children on their way to and from school. Highway 22 is very busy, no matter how much you remind children, someone always forgets so we do ask that the motorists watch out for the safety of our future, our children.
I was lucky enough to catch a second festival on the weekend of Long Stock. A festival to raise money for STARS was held at the OUTPOST at Maycroft on Highway 22 on Saturday with more great musicians taking part there as well. To the volunteers and musicians once again we tip our hats to your hard work and wish you success for 2011.
Our sympathies are extended to Lois Lyons and family in the loss of Bob Lyons, a longtime resident of Longview. Bob had a smile for everyone and was always more than willing to help. If there was music, you could find Bob nearby. We will all miss him and wish Lois the best in her move to the Lodge in Black Diamond.
Until next time,
Chey
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