BATTLEFORD — The Fred Light Museum started 2023 with an almost entirely new executive, according to their Jan. 11 meeting minutes, distributed at the Town of Battleford’s Feb 21 council meeting.
2023's executive includes:
- Donna Laycock as the museum board’s new chair;
- Wayne Klaassen as the new vice-chair;
- Alexis Christensen as the new secretary;
- JoAnne Stirton as volunteer coordinator, a new position; and
- Angie Friedrich in her continued role as treasurer.
“After many years of being lucky enough to be on the Fred Light Museum Board, I have the distinct pleasure of becoming chairman following a great example of selfless volunteering in Floyd Andersen,” Laycock said about her new role as chair following her 14 years of service on the board. “I look forward to many years of honouring this amazing town’s history and keeping the Fred Light legacy at the forefront of our fabulous town.”
Laycock, the granddaughter of the late Fred Light and daughter of noted historian Don Light, has been serving on the board since 2009. The museum has also set the dates for its three events in 2023, including a Mother’s Day Tea on May 14, Family Fun Day on Aug. 11, and the 5th Veterans Banner Unveiling on Oct. 27.
A potential winter carnival is in the works, and dates for upcoming day camps will be announced later.
To date, 216 Cash Calendars for 2023 have sold, with 250 printed, with Allen Walberg, Norman Graw, Paul Fehr, Mary Scherman and Tricia Stacey as the cash calendar winners in the last three months of 2023.
Following Floyd Andersen’s passing, donations received by the museum in his name totalled $2,150.
In their review of the 2023 museum budget, lighting for the firearms showcases is expected to be $7,000 with $4,000 allocated in the budget. Museum manager Bernadette Leslie will discuss the board paying for the remainder, with the understanding that the board be reimbursed in the 2024 museum budget.
$5,000 dollars are allotted for second-floor painting, including walls and stair rails. The board is concerned with having the museum manager's cell phone cut from the budget and strongly recommends that the cell phone be purchased.
