Delta Marsh History Initiative, Steering Committee Meeting

9:00 am, 17 November 2003
Home of Shirley Christianson, Portage la Prairie

Present: Barry Bills, Shirley Christianson, Den Gamble, Gordon Goldsborough (sec), Cynthia Jordan, Shirley Love, Winnie Pauch, Glen Suggett

1. Minutes of the last meeting (20 October) were approved by consensus with the following changes: 3d) spelling: Lindsay, 3e) spelling: Sioux, and 3e) delete “and associated property”.

2. Business arising from the minutes

a) Norman Bickell & Bill Watts – No follow up yet.

b) Cadham photograph – Deferred until Mackey can report.

c) Ora Dunbar – No follow up yet.

d) Lindsay McEwen – Jones will interview her. Goldsborough will provide him with a copy of some potential questions.

e) Wells Wilbur Lodge – No follow up yet.

f) Delta residents – No follow up yet.

g) Kirchhoffer – The photo has not been scanned yet.

h) Decoy historian – No follow up yet.

3. Other business

a) Newsletter – Goldsborough expects it will be done by the Christmas party in December.

b) Other interviews – An interview with Maurice Blanchard has not been done, but Goldsborough will phone him to see if he is feeling up to one soon.

4. New business

a) Tom Naylor – Joyce Ward is preparing some information on this long-time Delta fisherman and noteworthy “character”, now deceased. He arrived here as a child from the UK. His sister apparently worked for Dr. Cadham. Christianson will forward the Ward information to Goldsborough when she receives it. It was suggested that someone should speak with Doug and Les Garham about Tom Naylor.

b) Brown photos – Jordan called Eldon Brown regarding the photographs. He has a photograph described as “the building behind the turntable” and other items. Jordan will call Brenda Moorhouse to arrange to borrow these photos.

c) George Aldous – Goldsborough provided the map of the property around the Galt lodge, borrowed from Mr. Aldous, to Suggett for copying.

d) Macdonald – Goldsborough reported that he has received more photos of Delta from Gordon MacDonald via his daughter Heather.

e) Deprez – Goldsborough reported that he has arranged an interview with Ms. Angele Deprez, former employee of Donald Bain, for next Sunday. He will report on it at the next meeting.

f) Manitoba ghost towns – It was noted that the book on ghost towns written in 1985 by Portage writers Helen Mulligan and Wanda Ryder was to be re-launched soon, with updated information. The original edition contained articles on The Landing and Totogan on the Whitemud River but it is unlikely that new information will be provided for these sites.

g) Gorsuch – Goldsborough reported that he had been contacted by Wanda Gorsuch at the Delta Waterfowl Station, who is interested in writing an article on Delta history for Canadian Geographic, and would like to look through some of the materials collected by our group. Goldsborough requested her to coordinate with Heidi den Haan for a time when he is at the Delta Marsh Field Station.

h) Oakland history book – Shirley Love reported that the third proof of the book is now on disk and is being sent to Friesens at Altona for publication. It will probably not be quite ready in time for Christmas so gift certificates will be issued for all pre-purchasers. The book is anticipated to be done no later than Spring 2004.

i) Christmas dinner – Arrangements have been made for the dinner at the Delta Marsh Field Station for 11 December at 6:00 pm with the same menu as last year.

5. Next meeting: The next meeting will be held at the home of Shirley Christianson (118 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie) at 9:00 am on Monday, 19 January 2004.

6. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am.