A big part of a community’s history is making sure it is recorded for future generations, and Rumsey-Rowley is making sure thei history is preserved.
Last Friday night the community released its newest history book. This is the third in a series and helps to tell the story of the community.
Dariel McNaughton has worked on the last two books and was happy to see the latest book completed, two years in the making.
Their first recorded history book was a small leaflet published for the Canadian Centennial. The second book was published in 1982.
She explained John Griffith had urged her to take on the third edition project, and in the spring of 2014, she was able to get about six people to volunteer.
“Doris Cawiezel, who has now passed away, was adamant that we start the book,” she said.
The committee grew to 16, including Heather McKee, Dariel McNaughton, Cindy Krywcun, Mary Newton, Linda Helmer, Al Gerdung, Donna Sengaus, Judy Stoneman, Elaine Weisse, Joanne Tolman, Lorraine and Gerald Foesier, Karli Gogol, Larry Anderson, and Sharon Goddard. Proofreaders were Anna Kashuba, Judy Lapohn, and Carol Wilkins. Sketches in the book were done by Pat Hatt and Laurel McKee. Computer gurus were Curt McNaughton, Matthew McNaughton, and Karli Gogol.
“It turned out excellent, it was a really good experience,” she said.
The edition has nearly 300 family stories plus photos, artwork and articles celebrating local history. It is the community that makes the book a treasure.
“I have to brag about the Rumsey community. We are really small, but it's such an agricultural community, and I think it is a very special community because of the closeness of the community,” she said.
It was published by Friesen Corporation of Altona Manitoba, the same company that published the 1982 edition.
Dariel says it was a completely different experience in publishing the 1982 book before the age of personal computers and the modern edition.
“I was the secretary back then so my job was writing letters, and everything was done by hand. Now you can go on the computer, and save it and change it whenever, so the technology made it easier,” she said. “But for me, I am computer challenged so I learned a lot."
She adds the younger generations, including her grandson, were able to help with the computer work.
To celebrate the launch, MP for Battle River-Crowfoot Kevin Sorenson was in attendance as well as Starland Reeve Barrie Hoover, Starland Councillor Allan Avramenko and CAO Ross Rawlusyk. There was also a “surprise, albeit satirical” appearance by Premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The celebration also coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Rumsey Hall. It officially opened on June 14, 1986. It was paid for by July of 1988.
“It was amazing… a lot of communities don’t have that kind of support, I find Rumsey a very special community,” she said.
The first edition of the book was auctioned off and purchased by Ron and Kathryn Upton, in memory of Ron’s parents, George (Bud) and Myrtle. Dariel and Mel McNaughton purchased the second copy of the book. The third edition will be displayed at the Rumsey Drop-in, and the fourth edition was purchased by Maureen and Jim Nelson, who were also celebrating their 66th anniversary. The funds raised went to the publishing of the book. By the end of the evening about 250 copies were sold.
Copies of the book can be picked up at the Rumsey Library or by contacting the committee members. The new books are $50, and the few remaining 1982 editions are available for $40.
