Submitted by Amelia Naismith
It’s time to close up shop. Another season of the Rimbey Tourist Information Centre at the Beatty House location has come to an end. Those wanting information from now on can visit the International Truck Museum at Pas-Ka-Poo Park.
It was a busy season at the Tourist Centre for my co-worker, Chris Cornell, and me, with more than 300 visitors stopping by. Besides people from Alberta and our neighbouring provinces, there have been tourists from as far away as Germany, New Zealand, and several states in the U.S. including Hawaii.
A number of local people visited as well. Thanks to a previous article in the Rimbey Review by Treena Mielke, several residents who knew the Beatty family came in to share their memories. Gordon and Helen Anderson of Rimbey have kindly donated two colourful hors d’oeuvre dishes to the Beatty House. These dishes were originally part of the stock at the Beatty & Cotton Hardware Store.
The end of summer does not mean that the doors of the Beatty House will be closed. The main floor and the lower level are always available for family celebrations, meetings, dinners, concerts and other gatherings of a non-commercial nature. The Beatty House will be one of the participating locations during the upcoming Alberta Arts Days Celebration.
I have enjoyed working at the Beatty House this past summer. The job has tied in very nicely with my love of history and my studies in journalism. I have become more comfortable meeting the public; and I have definitely learned more about tending to lawns and flower gardens.