Staff
The “Friends of the Fort Frances Museum” are busy planning for their third-annual fall fundraiser gala here Thursday, Nov. 6—and the group of volunteers is aiming to make this bigger and better than ever in hopes of raising more funds to provide more programming for residents.
Called “An Evening at the Officers’ Club,” the wine-and-cheese fundraiser will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Fort Frances Museum.
The evening will tie in with the museum’s current exhibit to mark the anniversaries of the start of WWI and WWII, “We Remember Them.”
That exhibit resulted from a partnership between the museum, the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29, and the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary. And while it officially opened Sept. 18, it continues to grow as more and more people contribute to it.
“The focus is our local stories so we haven’t brought all our typical artifacts out,” noted museum curator Sherry George.
“[Rather], we’re featuring the local stories of people that served in the war or were affected by war.
“We’ve had a fantastic response,” George added. “Every day we have people coming in with more information on relatives and photographs, and we have really interesting souvenir items.”
One example is a cigarette case that was donated by Stan Ward. It was made a fellow prisoner of war, a Russian, who crafted the case out a piece of an airplane that was shot down.
It shows both the British and Russian flags on it while the name of the P.O.W. camp—Stalag IVB, Muhlberg, Germany—is engraved on the back.
“It’s such an interesting little piece . . . it’s beautiful,” said George. “This is the type of thing we’re getting.
“We’re getting great stories, personal stories that some people have never told before,” she added, noting anyone with a story, photo, or souvenir to share is urged to come to the museum and see her.
Not only will it help make the exhibit bigger and better, but the stories the public provides will be collected and bound together once it’s over.
“We are very excited about this fundraiser,” said “Friends” president Duane Hicks.
“The exhibit at the museum has been generating a fair amount of excitement, and the quality of the exhibit will continue to improve as we get closer to the date of the gala,” he remarked.
“Seeing all of the local wartime stories brought together in one place like that, it’s very moving,” added Hicks.
“If those stories don’t get gala guests reminiscing and sharing stories as they mix and mingle, I don’t know what will.”
Tickets for the gala are on sale now for $35 each or two for $60.
They are available at the museum, the Fort Frances Times office, or from “Friends of the Museum” members.
Fundraiser event
The idea behind the event is to help raise the profile of the museum as a valuable community resource, and well as raise money to provide public events such as “SnOasis,” workshops such as the paper lantern and song-writing ones held this past spring and summer, and to assist the museum to make purchases it otherwise could not otherwise.
One of the highlights of the evening is the silent auction, with items donated by local artists, crafters, and businesses.
Once again, the “Friends of the Museum” is asking for any donation, large or small, for the silent auction.
“In the past, we have received donations ranging from homemade candy and books to art prints and quilts,” noted Hicks.
“The response has been terrific.
“We’d love to see such generous support again,” he added.
“We have already gotten some items donated, including some which tie into the wartime theme, but really anything will be greatly appreciated.”
Pieces can be dropped off at the museum any time (its current hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Local chef Mark Nagant, who catered the previous two galas, will return to treat patrons’ taste buds with a delectable array of hors d’oeuvres.
The evening also will feature live music by the Rainy Lake Orchestra, who have been busy learning tunes those alive during WWII might find familiar.
“The orchestra was kind enough to perform during both of the previous fundraisers and we just had to bring them back,” said Hicks.
“They’re classy and create an atmosphere suited to our event,” he remarked.
“And in this case, they’ve gone out of their way to expand their repertoire to include music from the eras we’re focusing on.”
Another popular aspect of past fundraisers were the trivia games, where gala guests’ knowledge of local lore was put to the test.
These games also will be returning this year, albeit with a wartime twist.
One way in which the public can help out the “Friends of the Museum” is by volunteering.
Hicks said several volunteers are needed to do the coat check, serve hors d’oeuvres, and help with clean-up, adding it’s a perfect opportunity for high school students to earn those volunteer hours required to graduate.
The “Friends” will be very busy between now and Nov. 6, but Hicks is confident the team of George, Debbie Ballard, Judy Kielczewski, Sue Fletcher, Robert Schulz, Pat Basaraba, Caron Cridland, Samantha Manty, Mandy Lahti, and Sarah Marusyk, will put together an evening to remember.
To reserve tickets, donate items, or volunteer, or have any questions answered, call the museum at 274-7891 or e-mail ffmuseum@fort-frances.com
