Museum Musings: Great Summer

By Lois Bedwell

What a great summer 2025 was!

Our three summer students were kept very busy. The museum hosted the Studio 9 & 41 Art Show during July and August. Stay tuned for details on the return of Studio 9 & 41 to the church. There may also be a quilt display.

Lorraine also set up her infamous Scavenger Hunt, which drew more than 100 participants. I’m looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next year.

Another highlight of the season was partnering with the Oyen Lions Club and FCSS for Canada Day celebrations. A great time was had by all, and we hope to do this again next year.

On the project front, we seeded a new lawn in front of Benton Hall, poured a new sidewalk from the office to the hall, and installed a cement ramp for better access to the church. We also rearranged displays in the Quonset to make room for the “new-to-us” Model T from Ralph and Rita Wold. The students painted the Cook car and the Blacksmith shop.

We appreciate the financial assistance from the Town of Oyen and their help with cutting the grass. A decision was made to paint the interior of the Hoenig House. The Oyen Kinettes last painted it in the 1970s, so it was due. Stef Marlowe is doing the painting, which will be completed next year.

We will be applying for 2026 CSJ funding and are looking for an adult interested in supervising the students. Hours and wages are negotiable.

Believe it or not, there is a lot to do at the museum—cataloguing, archiving, displays, programming, just to name a few.

Contact Lorraine Guckert or Lois Bedwell if this sounds like something you would be interested in. See you next summer!