TRACK WATCH
November 2015
November OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
CLOSED Nov. 11th
MRAS UPCOMING EVENTS
Millarville Christmas Market Nov 6th -8th
Volunteer Appreciation Nov 21st
MRAS AGM Dec 7th
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
CONTENTS
Page 2
President’s Message by Malcolm Sills
Page 3
AGM Details & Life Member Points
Page 4 & 5
Board Member Nominees
Page 6
Millarville Musical Ride
Page 7
MRAS Membership Form
Page 8 & 9
Fair Report
Page 10
Bragg Creek Artisans
Page 11
Dark Nights
Page 12
New Employee Bios
Page 13 &14
Halloween Howl
2015 Memberships expired Oct 31st
Page 15
Renew in the office or online at
www.millarvilleracetrack.com
Page 16
Horticulture Club
Page 17
Facility Calendar
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
September has ended
with some spectacular
fall colours and October
brings us to the time of
year when the Board
staff
and
event
committees start to
work on MRAS year-end
financials and budgets
for 2016. I know the
year end financials and budgeting can be onerous,
but with patience and attention to detail we will
get the credible results. For those that are
involved in this process, please know that your
efforts are very much appreciated.
It is also at this time of year that we start to look
for individuals who are interested in being on the
Board of Directors of MRAS. If you are, or if you
know someone who might be, interested in being
on the MRAS Board, I encourage you to talk to
myself, or any of our current Board members. We
will be happy to discuss the current and future
focus of the Board with you. This is your
opportunity to take an active role in guiding MRAS
into the future. This also allows you to put people
up for election that you believe will properly
represent your interests.
As many of you already know, John Baker will be
leaving us at the end of October. While I was
disappointed to get the news that John was
leaving MRAS, I was also very happy for John and
Deb. Since the first day I met John, I heard about
the 5 year plan to eventually move to the property
John and Deb own up by Winfield, Alberta. I
guess the timing and opportunity is right and John
and Deb are building on their property and
moving on to the next phase of their lives. I think
John would agree that one of his biggest
accomplishments at MRAS has been mastering the
operation of our water treatment plant and being
able to deal with all the government rules and
regulations. John and I spent many hours talking
about how we can reduce the costs for MRAS
while maintaining the water quality. John has
been a great addition to the MRAS team and will
be missed. We wish both John and Deb all the
best in their future endeavors.
Speaking of our water plant, the quick update is
that we are waiting for ESRD approval before we
can move ahead with our upgrade plans. I talked
to the ESRD a week ago and they are hopeful that
we will be able to advertise our proposed changes
before Thanksgiving. If that happens, we will be a
couple of months ahead of schedule and should
have the upgrades complete early in the new year.
In addition, we are reviewing the physical
operation of our water treatment plant and are
looking at alternatives for outsourcing the
operation of our plant.
At the last Board meeting we were pleased to
have Perry Cramer, our insurance broker, come
and give us a presentation on the current MRAS
insurance policies. The opportunity to attend the
meeting and ask questions about our insurance
coverage was given to all of the event chairs and
we were able to put together some questions for
Perry. In short, the Board is comfortable with our
current coverage but with a minor change or two
we believe we can maximize the benefits to our
employees and volunteers should the need arise.
The end of October brings our year end and the
renewing of your MRAS memberships.
We
encourage you to get your memberships prior to
the AGM which is scheduled for December 7th
2015.
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.
Malcolm Sills
MILLARVILLE RACING & AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Monday, December 7, 2015
7:00 p.m.
Racetrack Hall
All 2015 and 2016 MRAS Members are encouraged to attend & vote!
Items for discussion include:



Fiscal year-end review;
Election of Directors; and
Proposed bylaw changes.
Memberships will also be available for purchase at the meeting.
Criteria and point system used to select volunteer Life Members
Of
Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society
The following criteria would apply to those persons nominated for a Life Membership:
-
A written nomination submitted to the MRAS Historical Committee by Sept 30th of the
current year
A member of the MRAS for a cumulative total of 5 years
Any meritorious person at the discretion of the Historical Committee
65 years of age
Total of 50 points
President if the Main Board
5 points
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary
5 points
Board Member
4 points
Event Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer
3 points
Event Section Manager
2 points
Volunteer per MRAS activity
1 point
The above criteria was approved by the MRAS board of Directors and advised the Historical Committee of their decision
in March 2015.
2015 BOARD MEMBER NOMINEES
BILL JACKSON has been a long time member of the community,
and has been involved in the Millarville Racing and Agricultural
Society for his entire life. Bill has been a previous member of the
Board of Directors as President for two previous terms in 1972 and
1992.
As a resident of the community for the better part of his life, Bill has
been heavily involved in many areas of the Priddis & Millarville Fair
including the Domestic Animals & Livestock Divisions. Most recently
Bill has been involved in sponsorship generation for the Fair, as well
as donor of the 2011 Fair Star, Reggie the Rooster and 2015
Milllarvilles Magesty.
As a tireless volunteer, Bill also commits his energy to the Millarville
Christ Church on Highway 549 and a second term director of the
Southern Albert Pioneers and their decentets. His involvement
with these groups has helped the MRAS over the years greatly by
helping with gate coverage for markets, and floor installations in
the arena for events.
After all of his volunteering at the MRAS, it’s surprising to think that
he has anytime left for himself. But Bill still runs a small cow/calf
operation north of the racetrack in Millarville, and is also an area
legend regarding his water witching abilities. He is called all over
the MD of the Foothills to help residents find the best spots for well
sites. His talent with finding water is pretty incredible, and his
clients attest that he is able to locate wells that run at about 20
gallons per minute. We are excited to have Bill stand for
nomination to join the Board of Directors for another term.
KARIE WYLIE
Karie Wylie moved to Calgary in 1988 to attend Alberta
College of Art and Design. After acquiring a Diploma in
Textile design in 1995, she opened her first business, “Land &
Sea”, a retail store, followed shortly by “Blue Funk”, a private
label manufacturer of bath & body products. Her latest
venture is “Big Blue Moma”, an artisan/craft business that is
well known to the Farmer’s market community, and a
regular at Millarville Farmers’ Market.
Karie has extensive volunteer and Board experience
including the Calgary Arts Academy where she served as
Chair of Marketing and Chair of Finance for two years. She
has also been an active member in several community
organizations such as Junior Achievement and Big Brothers
and Big Sisters of Calgary. In her spare time she enjoys
mushroom hunting, gardening and camping. Her love of
travel (and Big Blue Moma) also takes her to Africa once a
year, where her and her husband, Dominique, have other
volunteer pursuits.
Hello, my name is Shane Darling and I would like to put my name forward to be on the Board of
Directors for the Millarville Racing & Agriculture Society (MRAS).
I grew up in Stony Plain, AB and now live in the Priddis area (2009). While growing up in Stony Plain I
had many opportunities and exposure to agriculture from bailing, building corals & fences, calving and
assisting with the family garden in Bon Accord, AB. Since moving to the Priddis area, I have been
helping friends with their horses with watering, feeding, handling, tacking, halter breaking, and
trailering.
I have always been enthusiastic outdoors person and enjoy hunting, fishing, archery, rodeo’s, camping
and sports. I grew up playing hockey and still play on occasion today, I had volunteered with the minor
hockey association in Kindersley, SK as an assistant/head coach as well as a power-skating instructor.
Some of my other volunteering activities have been with the annual Cancer ride, Priddis/Millarville Fair
(kids world and pie eating contest), Priddis Panthers hockey practices, Kindersley Rodeo, Kindersley
recreation board (built 3 softball diamonds).
For education / employment, I am a graduated from NAIT in the Instrumentation Engineering
Technology program. I am a Red Seal Journeyperson Instrument Mechanic and have been employed
with ConocoPhillips Canada for the past 15 years. Some of the positions I held while in the company
ranged from Instrumentation, Operator, Planner, Scheduler, Maintenance Foreman, and Operations
Excellence Coordinator. Currently I am in the IT department as a Program Business Analyst.
In closing I thank you for your time and hope that you would consider me as a board member.
Hello, my name is Anne Marie Mullane and I would like to put my name forward to
be on the Board of Directors for the Millarville Racing & Agriculture Society (MRAS).
Our family moved out to the Priddis area 23 years ago and we have enjoyed the
Millarville RaceTrack facilities and programs throughout that time. Three
generations of our family including our dogs and horses, have competed and
volunteered at various events MRAS events over the years. We have been fortunate
to have been a part of such a valuable and enjoyable and relevant organization and
look forward to seeing the next generation of our family take part one day.
I recently retired after 35 years in the oil patch and currently consult part time. I
have experience working on other boards, most recently the Assessment Review
Board and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the MRAS Board.
Stacey
McArthur
Hello, my name is Stacey McArthur. I grew up in Red Deer, spending my vacations on my
grandparent’s grain and cattle farm near Sturgeon Lake, AB, which is where I developed a passion
for the rural way of life. I moved to Calgary 15 years ago and continue to visit our family farm
whenever I am able.
I am a Certified Human Resources Professional with over 12 years’ experience in various industries
including retail, transportation, oil and gas and construction. I have enjoyed being a generalist in my
field and am currently a Human Resources Business Partner with Stuart Olson, a Canadian
commercial and industrial construction company.
Throughout my life I shown horses in Hunters and Jumpers, and I look forward to branching into
western riding with my new horse. I have ridden and boarded my horses in the Priddis/Millarville
area for the past 10 years which has lead me to frequenting the MRAS farmers’ market and events.
I enjoy the Millarville area and would like to contribute to the community through involvement
with the MRAS. Thus, I would be interested in being a candidate for election to the MRAS Board of
Directors.
FOR ARENA MEMEBRSHIP: PLEASE VISIT WWW.MILLARVILLERACETRACK.COM OR THE MRAS OFFICE.
Fair report for November
The 2015 Fair is officially complete. The English Light Horse, Western Light Horse, Gymkhana and
Horse Costume classes ran over the weekend of September 26 and 27 in much better weather
conditions than we experienced on Fair day. Saturday started out a bit chilly and wet, but the weather
improved steadily. Sunday was a beautiful day. Western Horse ran in the rodeo infield, allowing more
space for the riders and their steeds. English Horse enjoyed having access to the entire sand ring on
Sunday.
English Horse were particularly pleased with the popularity of the new Gamblers Choice class – a fun
jumping class that is sure to be back next year. Western Horse’s Western Ranch Pleasure class,
running for its second year, was the most popular Western class. Participation in the Gymkhana
events skyrocketed this year, increasing 60% over 2014 to 250! With an increasing number of
exhibitors across all 3 events, and a successful trial for a 2 day horse schedule, the horse event
organizers want to continue with the 2 day format in 2016. Over the next few months we will be
searching for other attractions, activities, displays and demonstrations that fit well with an old
fashioned country fair that could round out a second Fair day. If you have any suggestions or ideas,
please pass them along at the office or by email at fair@millarvilleracetrack.com.
Anyone who won a portion of the $22,430 prize pool at the Fair should have their payout. We took in
$13,025 in entry fees from 560 exhibitors for 3700 exhibits. We had 186 new exhibitors, many of
whom won prize money and ribbons!
In addition to prize money, the best of the best in each department, as determined by the judges, is
given the Award of Excellence. Winners are given a large and very distinctive rosette ribbon and
presented with a trophy and the judge’s comments/rational on the stage in the afternoon of Fair day.
In case you missed the presentations, the 2015 Award of Excellence winners are:
Dairy Goats
Photography
Junior Photography
Field Crops
Junior Field Crops
Fibre Arts
Junior Fibre Arts
Home Cooking & Baking
Junior Home Cooking & Baking
Arts & Handicrafts
Junior Arts & Handicrafts
Flowers
Junior Flowers
Vegetables & Fruit
Junior Vegetables & Fruit
Woodworking
Junior Woodworking
Poultry, Waterfowl & Pigeons
Junior Poultry, Waterfowl & Pigeons
Sheep
Junior Sheep
Pet Zone
Adam Scanlon
Janice King
Jacy Gerlitz
Patty Webb
Preston Selk
Krista McIntosh
Weston McClinchey
Bernice McAllister
Amy Jardie
Corrine Nelson
Levi Stein
Sheila Virgo
Victoria Jones
Paul Rishaug
Bradley Govier
Doug Lothrop
Walter Schaal
Allan Lakusta
Jared Cook
Patric Lyster
Sage Runge
Levi Borys
In late August, the Fair Committee sent a survey to MRAS members, 2015 exhibitors and a sampling of
Fair volunteers. We received 74 responses and many comments. Almost all respondents feel more
connected with others in the community by participating in the Fair and 89% reported that the Fair
book helped them to know how to participate in the Fair. We are grateful for the time and
thoughtfulness put into the comments and will be using them as a guide when planning for next year’s
Fair.
We are pleased to tell you that the Fair Committee has chosen a theme for the 109th Priddis &
Millarville Fair – Along for the Ride. We already have many ideas for incorporating the theme but are
always open to new and creative suggestions.
Many thanks again to the hundreds of volunteers, exhibitors, judges, sponsors, visitors and MRAS Life
Members who have contributed to making the Fair an outstanding example of a community and play.
You are the reason our Fair has endured and thrived for over a century.
2015 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Malcolm Sills
mrsills@shaw.ca
President
Brent Foster
brent.foster@tervita.com
Treasurer
Catherine Duerholt
catherine_duerholt@keyera.com
Secretary
Bill Jackson
willy.17@telus.net
Barb Castell
brcastell@thecowboytrail.ca
Pat O’Brien
obrieninsp@xplornet.com
Rick Charlton
millarvillefarmershalf@gmail.com
Faye White
faye@countrygables.ca
Ralph Onciul
rtonciul@telus.net
Mick Howden
mick.howden@sodcl.com
Anne Marie Mullane
penruddock@gmail.com
Shane Darling
darling3@me.com
From the Office:
I’m very pleased to introduce two new employees to MRAS: Lorelei Wendland and Frank O’Brien. I
encourage everyone to please stop by the Racetrack and welcome them to MRAS.
Kelly Dinning
Lorelei Wendland
Thank you,
Kelly
Bookkeeper / Administrative Assistant.
Lorelei brings over 10 years of experience to
MRAS in a variety of accounting roles.
She attended the University of Lethbridge and is
currently taking classes at the University of
Athabasca. She enjoys taking care of her
menagerie of animals, walking, golfing, reading
and travelling when she can. In her spare time
she volunteers with the Alberta Animal Rescue
Crew Society in Calgary.
Lorelei can be reached at:
Office: 403.931.3411
E-mail: accounting@millarvilleracetrack.com
Frank O’Brien
MRAS Maintenance Manager
Frank has lived in the surrounding area for 20
years and has attended many of our MRAS
events. Frank has an extensive background in
commercial and residential construction and
he looks forward to assisting us in building
for our future. In his spare time, Frank enjoys
working with his horses and spending time in
the mountains.
Frank can be reached at:
Cell: 403.703.0129
Office: 403.931.3411
E-mail: maintenance@millarvilleracetrack.com
Halloween Howl 2015
On behalf of the Millarville community we would like to thank the MRAS for the continued
sponsorship of this well-loved and much anticipated community event. The Howl was a
huge success! Thank you to Melonie for doing all the shopping for the Howl! We had
approximately 180 kids participate this year!
Thank you to Linda Bunn for being our pumpkin judge of all the amazing 30 carved
creations!
It was wonderful to see all the kids (no adults would go up on stage this year) in the
costume parade! A big thank you to all the volunteers that ran the upstairs and especially
to the kids that operated all the games for the younger children. Thank you to our
bartender, Sandy Mackenzie, for volunteering his time. And thank you to Brian Dunne for
emceeing again this year, his position is open for next year....if anyone is interested.
The Haunted House was very successful in scaring everyone! There was a huge lineup all
night and embedded some terrifying memories! Thank you for all the hard work and many
hours ALL the volunteers put into the Haunted House! It was extremely scary this year,
thank you to Gunter Lenhart-Thiel & Laurie Borys for organizing the Haunted House. Thank
you to Shannon McClinchey for being our photographer with no notice, wonderful photos!
Thanks to the MRAS the Halloween Howl has been a Millarville tradition for close to 50
years!
We truly appreciate all of our volunteers at the Howl. I'm looking for someone to help
organize upstairs with me for next year (sbdunne@xplornet.com). Also please remember
to bring an unopened box or bag of candy for people new to the Howl.
Thank you,
Shanna Dunne
Canadians recognize Remembrance Day, originally called Armistice Day, every 11 November at 11 a.m. It marks
the end of hostilities during the First World War and an opportunity to recall all those who have served in the
nation’s defense.
Armistice Day
Armistice Day was inaugurated in 1919 throughout much of the British Empire, but on the second Monday in
November. In 1921, the Canadian Parliament passed an Armistice Day bill to observe ceremonies on the first
Monday in the week of 11 November, but this combined the event with the Thanksgiving Day holiday. For much
of the 1920s, Canadians observed the date with little public demonstration. Veterans and their families gathered
in churches and around local memorials, but observances involved few other Canadians.
In 1928, some prominent citizens, many of them veterans, pushed for greater recognition and to separate the
remembrance of wartime sacrifice from the Thanksgiving holiday. In 1931, the federal government decreed that
the newly named Remembrance Day would be observed on 11 November and moved Thanksgiving Day to a
different date. Remembrance Day would emphasize the memory of fallen soldiers instead of the political and
military events leading to victory in the First World War.
11th of November
Remembrance Day rejuvenated interest in recalling the war and military sacrifice, attracting thousands to
ceremonies in cities large and small across the country. It remained a day to honour the fallen, but traditional
services also witnessed occasional calls to remember the horror of war and to embrace peace. Remembrance
Day ceremonies were usually held at community cenotaphs and war memorials, or sometimes at schools or in
other public places. Two minutes of silence, the playing of the Last Post, the recitation of In Flanders Fields, and
the wearing of poppies quickly became associated with the ceremony.
Remembrance Day has since gone through periods of intense observation and periodic decline. The 50th
anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 1995 marked a noticeable upsurge of public interest, which
has not ebbed in recent years. It is now a national holiday for federal and many provincial government workers,
and the largest ceremonies are attended in major cities by tens of thousands. The ceremony at the National War
Memorial in Ottawa is nationally televised, while most media outlets – including newspapers, magazines, radio
and television stations, and internet sources – run special features, interviews, or investigative reports on
military history or remembrance-related themes.
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Major price reduction!!! 1/4 section off of Coal Mine Road and next door to the
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hideaway. $1,395,000.
Games Night at the
Millarville Racetrack
November 14th, 2015
* Every second Saturday of the month after that!
Starts at 7:00 pm
$2.50 a person
Bring a snack and some
friends
Millarville Horticulture Club
Every second Tuesday of the month (Sept to May)at
7:30 pm a speaker is arranged to talk and share their
knowledge with the club. We meet at the Millarville
church house. November 10th is next meeting of
the fall. This meeting is our AGM. Come
and vote. December 8 we will be making winter
planters with Paul Rishaug. We need to have
numbers by the November’s meeting. There will be
a nominal fee for the container and greenery. Also,
please remember to like us on Facebook! Whether
you are a novice or expert in landscaping or
gardening, join our club. It is only $15 /year. We are
always welcoming new members. For more
information email svirgo@mithril.ca or call Sheila at
403-931-3989
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6TH NEW HOURS 12:00P-8:00P
SATURDAY NOVEMEBR 7TH 10:00A-5:00P
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8TH 10:00A-5:00P
Make sure you come and check out the Millarville
Christmas Market and its many new additions this
year!
Visit www.millarvilleracetrack.com for more details.
We have glass blowing demonstrations, Santa’s
Reindeer, and a live Nativity in the garden!
Come and visit some of your favorite summer
vendors, as well as, many new additions for this
event! There is something for everyone on your
shopping list.
We have partnered with Okotoks Christmas Festival,
Town of Okotoks, Cool little Towns and Olde Towne
Okotoks for the Foothills Holiday Roadshow. Visit
www.foothillsroadshow.com to pre purchase a pass
to BOTH markets at a discounted rate and a chance
to win a $200 shopping spree in downtown Okotoks.
See you there!
FACILITY SCHEDULE – November 2015
PLEASE NOTE: Schedule is subject to ongoing changes. Please call the office at 403-931-3411 for any scheduling questions.
LEGEND: CAMPSITEFULL FACILITYRACETRACK HALLFARMERS MARKETINDOOR ARENARODEOARENASAND RINGQUONSET
SUNDAY
1
MONDAY
2
All Facilities Closed
Christmas Market Prep
Pony Club 7:00a-7:00p
8
TUESDAY
3
All Facilities Closed
Christmas Market Prep
All Facilities Closed
Christmas Market Prep
9
WEDNESDAY
10
THURSDAY
5
4
All Facilities Closed
Christmas Market Prep
All Facilities Closed
Christmas Market Prep
11
FRIDAY
6
12
SATURDAY
7
Christmas Market
12pm-8pm
$5/person
No Riding
13
Christmas Market
10pm-5pm
$5/person
No Riding
14
Remembrance Day
Christmas Market
10pm-5pm
$5/person
No Riding
All Facilities Closed
Christmas Market Tear
Down
Arena Grooming 8:30am-10am
No Riding
All Facilities Closed
Christmas Market Tear
Down
16
17
Millarville Mutts
8:30a-1:30p
Millarville Mutts –Canine
1:30p-3:00p
4H Beef 1:00p-4:00p
Millarville Mutts
6:30p-7:30p
18
19
Arena Grooming 8:30-10am
No Riding
Arena Grooming 6:30am-10am
No Riding
4H Beef 1:00p-4:00p
Games Night 7:00p-10:00p
Sheep Creek Weavers
9:00a-3:00p
Office Closed
15
Saddle Sores
8:30a-1:00p
Arena Grooming 8:30am-10am
No Riding
Saddle Sores 8:30a-1:00p
20
Arena Grooming 8:30-10am
No Riding
21
Volunteer Appreciation
5:00p-12:00a
Paws n Effect 7:00a-6:00p
Millarville Mutts-6:30p-7:30p
Sheep Creek Weavers
10:00a-4:00p
22
23
CRTR 1:30p-4:30p
29
Millarville Canine Training
1:30p-3:00p
Horse Power AdventurePicnic Area
30
MIllarville Mutts-Meeting
6:30p-8:30p
24
Arena Grooming 8:30-10am
No Riding
MRAS Board Meeting
7:00p-10:00p
25
1
2
4H Beef 7:00p-9:00p
26
Arena Grooming 8:30-10am
No Riding
Sheep Creek Weavers
9:00a-4:00p
Millarville Polocrosse
6:30p8:30p
27
Arena Grooming 8:30-10am
No Riding
28
3
4
5
Saddle Sores
9:00a-3:00p
Meonch Reunion
4:00p-12:00a