Down Home Dinner needs support

By Karlene Skretting
Westwind Weekly News
reporter.karlene@gmail.com

The Magrath Museum needs support for their annual Down Home Dinner now more than ever. If the event doesn’t prove to be as successful as the past 13 years, the Museum’s full-time summer hours are in jeopardy.
Normally, the Museum receives Canada Summer Jobs grants that cover the bulk of two student’s wages to run and operate the museum over the summer months, but that was not the case this year.
“We were really disappointed that we didn’t get our funding, we always have in the past,” said Kristine Alston, Magrath Museum secretary treasurer and a member of the Friends of the Magrath Museum.
The Town of Magrath has stepped up to cover the cost of one student, realizing that the building also serves an important role as the Tourism nformation Centre, but the Magrath Museum is left hoping that the Down Home Dinner fundraiser will generate enough money to cover the second student’s wages.
Last year, fundraiser raised almost $5,000 and the Museum is hoping for a similar outcome this year.
“We can’t really run full hours without a second student. And that is why we are hoping to have a successful fundraiser this year.”
In the past, tickets for the meal and program have been sold out the week before the event and “ticket sales have been down” this year said Alston. Noting that some key Friends of the Magrath Library have recently been sick and unable to promote the event like years past.
From silent auctions to a delicious hearty meal, the chance to support the Magrath Museum will run June 1 to the 12.
Items for the silent auction will be set up and displayed at the Magrath ATB Financial bank on Monday and bidding will continue until the 12.
“Some of the nicer prizes will be on display in the bank foyer where people can go place their bids.”
This year the Down Home Dinner will serve up a delicious full roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes, SASH buns, veggies, coleslaw and Colleen Barton’s cream pies.
The big dinner and short program will take place on Friday, June 5th at the Covered Wagon RV Park between 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Magrath Pharmacy or by calling Donna Lybbert at 403-758-3893. They cost $30.
“Throughout the evening they also draw for door prizes” explained Alston. Everyone that attends the meal and program is automatically entered to win some great prizes that include restaurant gift certificates, hotels, gym and golf passes.
Another option to enjoy a delicious meal are the take-home dinners which allow those who are unable to attend the actual event to pick up food at the Magrath Senior’s Centre, enjoy a delicious meal and support the Magrath Museum.
Take-home meals cost $25. To get your name on the take-home meals list call Kristine Alston at 403-758-3627
“They are very generous portions and people usually get a couple servings out of them,” said Alston.
The cutoff to purchase tickets is the 31st so that the organizers can plan accordingly to prepare food.