MAIDSTONE – The spring meeting of the North West Museum Association was held Saturday, May 4 at Goodsoil. We were welcomed by museum chairperson Alex Schamber. He introduced long time mayor, Jack Purves. The Town of Goodsoil has a population of about 300 residents. Nearby is a huge lake named Lac des Isle on which are several lakeside development, summer and all year round homes of another 1,000 residents. The rural municipality area has another 500 residents.
Available is an 18-hole golf course rated by Trip Advisor as number one in Saskatchewan in 2019.
Museum representatives in attendance were from Maidstone, Wilkie, Bresaylor, Lashburn, Loon Lake, Glasln, Rabbit Lake, St. Walburg, Meadow Lake and Goodsoil. Missing were Spiritwood, Neilburg, Cut Knife and Frenchman Butte. A bountiful lunch and beverages were available to all on arrival.
The meeting was conducted by chairperson Laura Heilman of Wilkie.
The visitors toured the Goodsoil Museum. The main building is the former stone school, built in 1945, which has five rooms plus a basement. Separate is the Doll House which houses 2,300 dolls from all over the world.
The Flat Valley school was moved in in 2001. It had also been used as a Lutheran church. It is now divided in half. One half is a school classroom and the other half houses Lutheran church artifacts.
A school teacherage was moved in and houses trapping artifacts.
Following the destruction of the Golden Ridge Catholic Church in a hurricane, the unharmed steeple was recovered and a new base was built to support it at the museum.
The Goodsoil Museum is a very well kept and interesting museum.
Everyone enjoyed a Chinese noon meal supplied by a local restaurant. We were entertained by Dianne Sonntag on keyboard and Barry Milne on the spoons with a songalong of songs from yesterday. Marilyn March conducted a hilarious skit about a robber and an old maid.
The regular meeting followed with a lengthy presentation by Michelle Brownridge from MAS in Regina. The financial report was given by Gwen Zweifel and various concerns were discussed. Next meeting in the fall will be held at Wilkie Oct. 5.
