WILKIE — The Wilkie and District Museum board has been busy all summer planning and hosting several activities.
Things were kicked off in May when members delivered, with help from the local SARCAN facility, a recycling program for classes at Norman Carter Elementary School.
In June the museum participated in the second annual Eddy Duschcher Memorial Car Show by entering a 1954 Chevrolet fire truck and 1929 Ford Model A.
A major fundraiser is the annual Grasshopper Drop. After a couple months of hard work and pavement pounding selling tickets, the drop occurred on July 1, with Sharon Eichenlaub winning the 50/50 split of $557.50.
The museum also hosted Canada Day festivities on the museum grounds. The doors of the eight buildings were opened to allow the patrons to peruse the buildings as they desired.
The day started off with a pancake breakfast sponsored by Wilkie Delta Co-op. A dog show operated by Four Diamond Kennels out of Unity was planned, but due to the rainy conditions, it was cancelled. The barbecue hosted by the local Citizens on Patrol did go ahead as planned. Members put a bow on the day with the Grasshopper Drop, with curious onlookers and ticket buyers waiting as the wooden grasshoppers were thrown out towards the painted target on the McLurg High School football field.
The museum board is not slowing down though, with many things planned for August and September.
Another big night will be the second annual movie under the stars night happening Sept. 7. The double feature will include Looney Tunes: Back in Action starring Brendan Fraser and Steve Martin, and Smokey and the Bandit starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason. This coincides with a Ring the Town Hall Bell raffle. Those who have bought a ticket and are in attendance will have the opportunity to ring the newly renovated bell in the tower of the fire/town hall. The on-site concession opens at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at about 7:45 p.m. (whenever dusk happens). The draw for the chance to ring the bell will be at 8 p.m.
“It already has been an exciting season at the museum, with more around the corner,” said Phil Heilman, public relations representative for the Wilkie Museum.
“The entire organization have kept themselves busy, and with the movie night coming up, there’s a lot more planning to be done with that”
Heilman also noted that there wouldn’t be a museum without all the hard work the volunteers and the board of directors.
The museum will be open until the end of August. Operating hours are Tuesday to Saturday.
