The annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner and Annual General Meeting of Avonlea Heritage Museum was held in the Avonlea Community Hall on Friday evening, April 16th. Master of Ceremonies, Jim Clarke welcomed everyone and grace was sung prior to enjoying a delicious meal served by the Museum volunteers. A short film, produced by Cathy Geisler and entitled “On the Rise” was shown. This is a very interesting documentary on the Fur Traders in the Dirt Hills around 1870. President Richard Geisler conducted the Heritage Museum Annual meeting. Seven members retiring in 2010, were re-instated to the board which now has 17 active directors. Two retirees, Kay Geisler and Eric McRorie have joined the “Friends of the Museum” and will continue to support our events. They have worked faithfully with the board for over 25 years and we sincerely thank them for all they have done. Marilyn Keerak explained the new membership program and the benefits derived from becoming a member. It is
important to have members committed to contributing to the development and upkeep of the Museum and they in turn will have free admission, be able to vote at the annual meetings, receive the newsletters, etc. Guest speaker, Brenda Sherring, presently Executive Director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, gave a very interesting talk on volunteerism and how we can depend on the youth of today who are becoming volunteers in many more modern ways, to be around when needed in the future. Highlight of the evening was the honoring of the Communities in Bloom Group which began in Avonlea seven years ago. Bernice Sanderson commented on how much they had done to beautify our town with the hundreds of flowers planted each year, trees planted, and improvements made to the parks and playgrounds around town. Each one who participated was called up and presented with a rose in appreciation. They are a very deserving group of volunteers to receive this special volunteer award.
