Initial Meeting for Magrath History Book
Alan & Patricia Dudley Home
Sunday May 2, 2010
7 pm
Present: Alan & Patricia Dudley, Donna Lybbert, Bonny West, Brenda Beck, Wendy Coleman, Shirley Bennett, Eva Marie Harker, Doug Alston, Karen Bennett, Lawrence Turner, Hazel Dudley, Robert & Kathy Wilson, Kristine Alston, Roger & Shauna Davies, Lois Bourne, Gloria Alston
Alan Dudley as president of Magrath History and Museum Association chaired meeting.
It has been 26 yrs since the last history book was done. Is it time for a new book? Who would like to work on it? How do we go about it?
Since we think we want a book similar to what Raymond has done and since Lawrence Turner was chairman of that committee, he gave us some background on the publishing of that book:- It took 3 years from start to finish (1990-1995).
- Jack & Kathryn Bales, new move-ins at the time to Raymond, were invaluable to the process.
- It was published by a company out of Winnipeg.
- Town of Raymond was very involved and asked Lawrence to be the chairman.
- The town covered the costs and still has not recouped their money.
- It cost $135,000.00 to print 3000 copies that sold for $65.00 each.
- The Raymond museum is currently selling leftover copies for $20.00 each.
There was much discussion about what we would like to include in the book besides family histories, i.e. Canning Factory, Hutterites, swimming pools, Big Bell, Indians, dance halls, the Creamery, skating rinks, etc.
The museum collected 25 oral histories last year and plans to collect more this summer.
It is planning to put a tithing office replica behind the museum, there is a map being put together of all the business that have been in town over the years, and they are busy getting all kinds records scanned into the computer, including old issues of the Store News and the Magrath Pioneer. All of this information would be available for the book.
It was emphasized that the Town of Magrath would need to be on board for the project, for both moral and financial support. Their support would be needed to access any available grants. It was noted that our Mayor is a publisher.
Bonnie West brought a copy of the history book Etna has just done. She helped with the layout, etc. It was published by a company in Lethbridge and sell for $50.00-$60.00 each. She suggested publishing on-line (e.g blurb.com). You only order as many copies as you need, more copies can be ordered later and it has very reasonable pricing.
Wendy Coleman discussed what Bashaw has recently done for their history book. They got a total of $55,000.00 in grants, presold copies of the book and got a bank loan.
Shirley Bennett said that Spring Coulee has published a book and that it sells for $60.00.
The blue Irrigation Builders has grammatical errors as well as historical accuracy errors.
It was discussed if the information for the new book could be collected on the computer it would be easier to proofread and more people could have access at the same time.
People like Nyal Fletcher and Jr Turner and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers would be sources of information. Doug Alston wanted to make sure we include the histories of families that were important in early Magrath but no longer have anyone living here.
Lawrence suggested we organize with a chairman, a dedicated crew, and a support group. The chairman would need to organize the whole affair, with assistance form the dedicated crew, while the support group would do the collecting, writing, and research. The committee, after it is formed, would need a place to work from, money, motivation, a vision or philosophy, and goals. There would need to be clear expectations.
Each person in the room was asked what they would be able to contribute to the project:
Gloria Alston – support group, specifically proofreading. Also suggested that George Harker would be good at proofreading.
Lois Bourne – support group, can do what she would be asked to do but not good at deciding what to do.
Shauna Davies – not sure, maybe do transcribing. Is president of Lions Club.
Roger Davies – has other time commitments but could help with web pages or other computer support. Suggested a photo history be part of the book.
Kristine Alston – support group, already secretary of Museum Board. Suggested the need for a template or guidelines for collecting family histories and Bonny suggested the need for guidelines for photo submissions as well.
Bob Wilson – limited by health but could work on computer.
Kathy Wilson – editing, working with Bob on website.
Hazel Dudley – very interested in this project.
Lawrence Turner – support group and consultant
Karen Bennett – support group
Doug Alston – has been gone for 60 years, feels limited in what he could contribute. Alan suggested he would be excellent at visiting with the older men (Eldon Coleman, Jr Turner, Ira Bourne, etc) in town and drawing out their memories, these could be recorded and transcribed by others. This would preserve the memories of our oldest generation.
Eva Marie Harker – support group. Offered to write the history of the telephone office.
Shirley Bennett – support group, proofreader.
Brenda Beck – layout and publishing
Bonny West – layout, set-up guidelines for subcommittees, and publishing.
Donna Lybbert – interested in book, busy with Friends of Museum.
Wendy Coleman – either group as needed, vice president of Museum Board. Needs to finish her own family book.
Names were then suggested of people who may be interested but were not at the meeting:
Laurel Bennett, Shirley Perry, Debbie Leishman, Bob Hamilton, Myrna Cook, Ilona Schnyder, Margo Schnyder, Betty Loose (Karin B will talk to), Barbara Hillmer (Wendy will talk to),Clayton Gast, Rod Bly, Dana Bruce, David Bly, Kathy Bly, Karen Nykyforuk.
Other names were suggested with the chairman in mind: Shirley Perry, Bill Alston, Ricks Smith, Anne Norton, Duane Thomson, DeVar Dahl, Wes Balderson, Betty Clifton, Shauna Clifton, Arlene Helgeson.
Where do we go from here?
- Need support from Town.
- Find a chairman.
- Gather history from older members of community first.
- Gather lots of information and then can decide the direction the book will take?
- Decide on sections of book or more than 1 book?
- History vs memories?
Bonnie, Brenda, Kris, Wendy and Alan agreed to look for Chairman.
Misc:
- Hazel moved that all those present become members of the museum, if they are not already members. Roger and Shauna Davies had left before this. Carried.
- Hometown Dinner will be held June 4. This is the annual fundraiser by the Friends of the Museum. Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased from Bob Rasmussen.
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