News Leader News for January 19, 2010
2010 MUSEUM SOCIETY FACES CHALLENGES
The new Board of Directors of Princeton & District Museum Society faces a lot of challenges during the coming year. Incoming President Kathy Clement, along with Vice-President Ev McCallum, Secretary/Treasurer Lori Thomas, and Directors Jim Pincock and Diane Sterne are looking at a year when uncertainty and disruption appear to be the agenda.
Operations Manager Nick Mills advised members the major problem is the potential for the museum to be closed during Princeton's 150th anniversary.
The possible closure is the result of the slow progress made in moving the public library to a new location. This has meant the needed upgrade and expansion of the museum is delayed. The current schedule shows the final drawings for the museum will not be finished until the end of this month. Then the contract for the job must go to tender.
Nobody could see work begin until early March. According to information acquired by Councillor Frank Armitage, work is not likely to be finished until July.
There is no question that members are upset by the situation. They want the museum open, if not in the museum building, then at another location, particularly during the summer months. Councillor Armitage will take members' concerns to Town Council.
In other business, the Museum Society is establishing a Museum Development Fund. This fund is not to be used for the building, as the building belongs to the Town of Princeton.
The fund will be used for such things as display cases, equipment, and special items used by the museum. Those who donate to this fund will receive a receipt which can be used as an income tax deduction, as the Museum Society is a registered charitable organization.
Visitors to Princeton Museum totalled 5,074 during 2009, second only to the number in 2008. This was despite the downtown construction and an earlier than usual closing date of the museum. Groups in Princeton received assistance from the archives division which has been located in the Skills Centre for nearly a year. Vermilion Trails Society, Princeton 150 Committee and the Curling Club needed information stored in the museum archives.
There were many favourable comments about the calendar created for Princeton's 150th anniversary. There are still many available (Town Hall, Home Hardware, The News Leader). Members commented on the high quality of the calendar and the excellence of the photographs of early days in Princeton.
Two people working with the Museum Society, Nick Mills and Lori Thomas put it together on behalf of the Princeton 150 Committee. Proceeds go to the festivities planned for September 4.
The museum still has quite a number of the music CD of traditional songs put together by Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat. Check with Nick Mills at the Skills Centre if you want to buy one.
A schedule of meetings for the year was accepted by members. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9.
Meetings are always held at the Chamber of Commerce meeting room at 2:00 PM Anyone interested in museums and history is invited to join.
COMMUNITY GARDEN RECEIVES $20,000 GRANT
John Allison School Community Garden was successful in obtaining a $20,000 grant from Success by 6/Community for Kids, South Okanagan Similkameen Region, Interior Health.
The grant will fund the costs of completing the School-Community Garden as well as gardening materials for children, parents and community users.
Learning materials, garden amendments, garden supports, additional planting beds, completion of the garden shed, permanent plants, fruit and shade trees, irrigation system, communication board, cold frames, outdoor learning area, additional library resources, garden shade pergola, benches and a fountain are all items included in the funding budget received.
The John Allison School Community Garden Committee thanks the CFK Princeton Table and the Success by 6/CFK South Okanagan-Similkameen for their support of children in Princeton.
