Delta Marsh History Initiative, Steering Committee Meeting

9:00 am, 18 September 2006
Home of Shirley Christianson, Portage la Prairie

Present: Shirley Christianson, Gordon Goldsborough (sec), Glen Suggett

1. Minutes of the last meeting (23 May 2006) were approved by consensus.

2. Business

a) Bell family tree – Suggett obtained a copy from the Delta Waterfowl staff from their files. He will make copies for others.

b) Phragmites harvest – Goldsborough reported that a group from Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg is interested in obtaining enough material to replace a roof of a small building at the park. They are planning to visit the field station on Thursdays.

c) Satellite imagery – Goldsborough reported that he has purchased a satellite image of the Field Station property, taken on 12 September, the day after he had taken oblique aerial photographs of the same area using a small aircraft.

d) Ward photos – Goldsborough and Suggett will meet with Mr. Ward later this week.

e) Hochbaum papers – Goldsborough reported the plans of the Hochbaum family to deposit Albert Hochbaum’s papers in an archives, and the discussions between the University of Manitoba and some prospective donors who are willing to provide funds for their acquisition. To date, the family’s agent, Mr. Larry Bruder, advises that they wish to deposit the papers in the Archives of Manitoba instead although it will probably jeopardize opportunities for purchase of the papers because funds donated to the provincial government cannot be earmarked for a specific purpose. The family has also asked to place a three-year embargo on access to the papers to permit Mr. Bruder to use them in preparation of a biography on Hochbaum. This may mean that we will not be able to use the papers for our book.

f) Bank balance – Goldsborough reported that our present bank balance stands at $5,446.69 including funds from the Canada Day fish fry and raffle, and $100 of unused float returned by Shirley Christianson. Suggett reported that the fish fry was attended by 293 people – 274 adults and 19 children. Joan Moorhouse won the canvasback print, Sharon Heintz the quilt. It was agreed by consensus that this would be the last fish fry, as there is no anticipate need for further cash and they are a lot of work for volunteers.

g) Book update – Suggett is working on the waterfowling sections while Goldsborough will work on cottaging, railroading, or the Kirchhoffer land dealings. We should meet with David Carr at the University of Manitoba Press to discuss book production.

h) Wacker farm – Christianson reported that the farm on Highway 26, where the old roadhouse is located, has been sold to a Quebec interest.

3. 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, 30 October 2006.

4. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 AM.