Photo Submitted By: Pauline Daku

Children take part in a sack race at Museum Day.

Submitted by Kipling Historical Society/ E.Hamelin, Secretary

Kipling and District Historical Society and Museum had a very busy and successful year. The year started off with a number of fundraising events including the annual bake sale and hamburger lunch, hosting and catering a noon meal to the Superannuated Teachers Annual Meeting, providing lunch at an auction sale, barbequing hamburgers and hotdogs for Kipling Co-Op Equity Day, hosting and serving a noon meal for the Kipling Ministerial Canada Day Service, providing a supper meal for our own Museum Day and ending with barbequing hamburgers for the Red Paperclip weekend.

We thank the community for supporting our events and greatly appreciate all the expertise of our cooks.

The Historical Society provided judges for the Kipling School Heritage Fair held April 23, 2008 with Grades 4 and 8 participating. ‘Thank you’ to Ms. Belanger for continuing this worthwhile project. Hopefully next year it will be bigger and better. We encourage the parents and public to come and see the ideas and projects the students have created.

A platform was built for the Neelby Station and the Service Station roof was repaired and re-shingled and the building painted. Many thanks to the fellows who did other minor repairs and grounds work.

Visitor numbers were up this year with visitors from all across Canada, several from United States, South America, Sweden, Hungary and Holland.

The Parks and Recreation Summer Program was well received with an average of 30 children coming to the Museum grounds every Wednesday afternoon in July and August.

Our ‘Thanks’ to program coordinator Bette Klein and helpers Chelsea Lyons, Paige Lyons, Devon Shackleton and Taylor Meszaros.

Museum Day, not as well attended this year, but still full of activities and children’s scavenger hunt and games. Don Fleming persisted in getting the Dalzell Elevator engine running and Gordon Toppings demonstrated the original Brome Grass Seeder (before GPS) provided by Alvin Abramson. Gordon even got the fanning mill running. With the determination of several of the men, the 15-30 tractor started and the proud driver was Cliff Johnson. The ladies cooked up a super delicious roast ‘beef -on -a- bun’ meal with pie for dessert. Winner of the Gate Raffle wooden planters was Isobel Wilson.

A major project we are working on is the moving of the former Dance Hall /Theatre building to the Museum grounds to be developed into more exhibit /display area.

This building has been donated to the Historical Society by Mr. Elgin Batters who has preserved this building and added a metal roof to it. We are extremely grateful to be able to have this building and to recover some of the history that goes with it. ‘Thank you’ Elgin and also Allan Batters and Donna Cross who have been very helpful in communicating Elgin’s wishes. The land preparation was done courtesy of the RM of Kingsley. The foundation work is done and soon the building will be moved.

Enbridge Pipelines Inc. has owned and operated pipelines near and through the Town of Kipling for close to 60 years. As part of their community involvement, they have provided $1000.00 toward this moving and restoration project. ‘Thank you’ to Enbridge and to Lindsey Gallagher for delivering the cheque.

The Historical Society acknowledges the assistance from the Town of Kipling in keeping the grass mowed, the numerous volunteers who give of their time to keep on developing the museum site and preserving our history, the many folks who leave donations, and all the local community people who come to visit. The Historical Society is comprised of volunteers and any one can be a volunteer and get involved.

The Historical Society is a Non- Profit Charitable Organization registered with Revenue Canada and receipts will be issued for any donations received. Donations can be left with Treasurer Anna Meszaros. Our income basically comes from fundraising, donations, and Operating Grants from the Museums Association of Saskatchewan and Kipling Parks and Recreation, which are both funded by Saskatchewan Lotteries.