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Bentley Community News: first-ever ladies night banquet

A ladies only Christmas banquet and evening that was open to all ladies in the area was held in the Bentley Community Hall on November 29 and was deemed a wonderful success. Dress was semi-formal so ladies had a chance to dress up.

A ladies only Christmas banquet and evening that was open to all ladies in the area was held in the Bentley Community Hall on November 29 and was deemed a wonderful success. Dress was semi-formal so ladies had a chance to dress up.

The community hall was dressed up too. It was decked out with Christmas decorations galore and bountiful poinsettias.

Christmas decor matched everywhere from the plates and napkins to the paper the programs and mixer game were printed on. Even Christmas nametags were provided.

Punch and hot homemade apple cider were offered starting at 6 p.m. and was followed by a catered meal after everyone had been invited to join in the singing of Joy To The World.

MC for the evening was Sandra Smyth.

Special entertainer for the evening was inspirational Christian gospel singer Sherri Farmer from Evergreen, Colorado. She offered a message of hope and encouragement through her songs and anecdotes, some with video accompaniment. Because of the area she lives in she really connected with the more rural way of life and the older generation as she expressed her love of nature and God.

She was born in Kentucky, the youngest in a singing family quartet. She stated she became a Christian at the age of eight and spoke of her commitment to singing for the Lord.

She was accompanied by her husband Dewey who ran the sound system.

Some of her CD’s and other promotional items were for sale.

Farmer performed the following morning at the Bentley Community Church service.

There were numerous donated door prizes drawn for throughout the evening. The program closed with everyone asked to join in the singing of Silent Night.

On the organizing committee were Sandra Smyth, who had the vision of hosting such an event and was the head organizer, Loretta Swainston, Treva Felzien, and others including Dolly Allen, Tonya Dempsey, Sylvia Miller, Denise Peterson, Janet Rathjen, and Jacquie Ruud. Most of the committee was from the Bentley Community Church.

Almost 100 ladies attended, judged a good showing for a first time event by the committee.

Planners say it is probably going to be hosted again next year and asked for ideas for entertainment.

Ag Society wraps up 2008 with meal and AGM

The Bentley and District Agricultural Society annual general meeting and volunteer appreciation supper was held November 20 in the Blindman Valley Ag Centre.

After a catered supper, subsidized by the ag society, a presentation was made by Grade 12 student Darren Smith who had attended Encounters With Canada in Ottawa. The ag society had sponsored Darren’s trip. He gave a short talk about what it was and explained pictures taken of his trip.

Five-hundred-dollar ag society scholarship recipients from the last year’s graduating class were announced and included Kim Wiggins and Cali Seater.

Many groups who fall under the umbrella of the Bentley Ag Society gave reports.

Fred Peterson reported for the Bentley Farmer’s Market and Gord Mydland reported for the Bentley Curling Club.

Jeremy Park gave the Bentley Rodeo report and Roger Giesbrecht reported for the Rev Masters Car Club on all the events they had staged during fair time.

Wanda Whaley reported for the Medicine Hills Arts Festival and John Ree for the Blindman Valley Ag Centre.

The treasurer’s report was presented on behalf of the treasurer in his absence and the president’s report given by Keith Stephenson.

Elections then were held. Remaining on are President Keith Stephenson, First Vice-President Janis Bickford, Second Vice-President Joan Dickau, Past President Merlyn Wilson, Secretary Kathleen van Dam, Treasurer Albert Goldade, and Directors Doris Bargholz, Greg Beavis, Leslie Garries, Roger Geisbrecht, Betty Knull, Paul Norvila, and Chloe Ree. New directors added are Georgina Miskey and Jeremy Park.

Volunteer conveners will be needed for the Sewing and Stitchery and for the Drawing, Painting and Framed Photography sections of the bench show next year. Volunteers are always welcome for any and all parts of the fair and rodeo. The huge community-encompassing event cannot take place without enough volunteers.

The Bentley and District Agricultural Society wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday and good fortune in the coming year. Volunteers now take a well-deserved break until their next open meeting scheduled in the spring in March 2009.