Local Attractions Receive $6500 in Grants
from Kalyna Country
Kalyna Country Ecomuseum held their summer Barbeque meeting on July 15, with an impressive presentation of $6500 in grants to 9 community groups (primarily museums) from across Northeast Central Alberta.
The regional tourism marketing organization (TMO) served up a BBQ dinner featuring local produce and following this dinner and tour of the grounds at the Shandro Museum complex on Hwy 857 south of the North Saskatchewan River, the group enjoyed a short meeting and Grant presentations.
Kalyna Country Marketing Manager, Kevin Kisilevich outlined the many successful marketing achievements of 2009 thus far, including the huge success of the 2009 Kalyna Visitor Guide magazine. Kalyna’s signature food event, Dine Kalyna, (featuring celebrity chefs and foods from local producers from across 8 counties in the region) is sold out again this year, with all 500 tickets pre-sold for the August event in Vegreville. Kalyna Country also sponsors the Kalyna Idol talent competition held at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village upcoming on September 19, 20 this fall.
Finally, Kalyna’s volunteer curator, Jars Balan, took the spotlight for the evening’s feature – presentation of the grants. “This year” Jars explained, “the committee wanted to move beyond the limited funding we had provided in the past, and to start funding projects that not only recognize the history, but also enhance the community that receives it.”
This year, seven groups, received grants of $500, one grant was for $1000, and one was for $2000. Among the $500 recipients were the Kikino Métis, who were funded for a computer system for research and collection of local history. Viking’s museum and Tofield’s museum also received funding, as did Holden to assist with collections and historical promotions that tie in with their 100th anniversary celebrations. The centennial committee in Holden republished the first issue of the Holden Herald (April 1910) and sold copies of it as a centennial project. Tofield’s Nature Marsh also received a $500 grant to help establish this conservation education area. Another $500 went to the Smoky Lake Historical Society, to help fund their Alberta Ukraine Cemeteries Project, which is surveying 32 pioneer cemeteries in the county. The Vegreville Cultural Association (Pysanka Festival) was awarded $500 to enhance their Cultural dance competitions. The remaining two grants were awarded to the Battle River Historical Society for $1000 for the museums archives room and reference library in Wainwright, and the Musee St Paul Museum is receiving $2000 towards restoration of the Destrube house, a pioneer homestead that has been moved into the town. This homestead is historically significant, and was in danger from vandals before its relocation and restoration. The society hopes to have it ready for visitors within a year.
Kalyna Country is very pleased to support and enhance these community attractions across Northeast Central Alberta. For more information about the work of Kalyna Country, its grants, community support and marketing efforts please contact info@kalynacountry.com or 1-888-452-5962.