Oyen Briefs: Chamber meeting held at The Bakers Dozen
By Diana Walker
A reminder that I am in the Oyen Echo office in the Schindel Agencies building on Main Street every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, my April 10 office day will be changed to Tuesday, April 9, that week due to my medical appointment in Medicine Hat. Walk-ins are welcome. You can reach me at 403-664-6600 or email oyenecho@telus.net
Ooops:
The last part of a story is missing in the March 27 issue, page 11, entitled “Carnivals – more than entertainment” by Bernie Krewski. The last two paragraphs should read:
On October 12, 1943, the Regina Leader-Post published a list of “Air Casualties” from the war in Europe. Reported missing was F.O. Donald Hugh McKay of Oyen. A further report on April 3, 1944, stated he was “presumed dead.” Ian McKay, well-known in this community, also served with the RCAF (MTCH, v. 1, 215-216). Frank, my brother, previously mentioned frequently in these pages, joined the Canadian army in 1942. Eighteen months after returning to Canada in 1946, he rejoined Canada’s Armed Forces as a soldier and a civilian. His memories of Donald McKay have been a gift to me – the reason I am writing about him now.
Remarkably, there was no curling here in 1941. The rink was “serving as a temporary wheat bin.” If war, wheat, and carnivals have been a peculiar mixture in this prairie town, at least it has left a taste pleasant enough to write about!
Oyen & District Chamber holds a luncheon meeting
Eight Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce members met for a luncheon meeting at The Bakers Dozen on March 27.
Old business included a discussion about the free breakfast they are planning for downtown the morning of the parade before the Big Country Agricultural Society’s summer rodeo on July 13. They also discussed having a breakfast the morning of the Big Country Agricultural Society’s Car Show on June 22. Watch for further details.
Secretary-treasurer Charmain Snell shared her idea of a membership decal suitable for a storefront or car window.
President Bud Herbert reported that Betty Walker completed contacting former and new businesses for the Chamber’s Phone Directory. Lucille and Betty are finalizing the list this week and sending it to the printer. They hope to have it ready for distribution by the end of April.
Diana Walker asked Chamber members if they wanted to share the fee to bring the Man Van to Oyen, possibly on June 22. Members thought it a very worthwhile project and were agreeable to the idea if the Man Van was available.
She asked for their help to find nominations for The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta’s Top 7 Over 70 awards. Nancy Christianson offered to post the information on the town website.
Kim Walker shared ideas implemented by Hanna and District Chamber of Commerce for their Business Awards. Attendees received several pages of information to digest before the next meeting on May 15 at the FCSS Building, Main Street.