Hi Everyone:
I kept holding off on sending my monthly update as I was hoping for good news from Alberta Health Services on the lifting of restrictions. However there have been no easing of the restrictions, which means that unfortunately volunteer activities at the Museum are still suspended with the exception of solo work.
The big news for March is the release of the long anticipated book Northern Alberta Railway Diesels: 1952 – 1980, written by Museum member Les Kozma. We had a virtual book launch on Saturday March 27 at the Museum. You can find the video here: https://youtu.be/faVv4WysEv4
(The diesel engine noises in the background are unfortunately not NAR 302 firing up.) The book is 72 colour pages and the content is fantastic. Price is $40.00 ($30 for members) and can be ordered through the Alberta Railway Museum gift shop at: https://albertarailwaymuseum.com/nar-diesels-1952-1980
Huge thanks go out to Les Kozma for his work in writing the book and assembling the content, to Roland Nairon for setting up the ordering & tracking forms, Monica Byrtus and Deborah Mullan for putting together the online gift shop to sell the book, and to Judy & Terry Wolfe for packaging and mailing the book.
Other activities at the Museum in March include a photo shoot of 73 by Michael Nikolai, organized by Roland Nairon. The plan is to have Michael back on site this spring to take some photos of 73 as it may have appeared back in service.
As well, we had the filming of a YouTube video by Vicky Lau (@Vivid_Vision). The video had a Samurai focus with the Museum equipment in the background. While the filming was going on, the National Film Board of Canada also had a film crew onsite, filming a documentary on social media influence from across Canada, this segment featuring Vicky Lau. As well, the film crews also did a short promo video for the Museum. To top off a day of video production, Roland Nairon also filmed the virtual book release for NAR Diesels! Four videos in one day, with all COVID precautions followed.
As we continue to evolve in the computer savvy world, we have chosen to transition this monthly newsletter to a program called MailChimp. This system will allow us to better manage our subscriptions and provide you with the choice to easily update your preferences. We have begun to transition our contact lists to MailChimp. In order to ensure everyone remains receiving the news letter, we are issuing this months newsletter in MailChimp and by email. If you receive two emails for the newsletter than you are on our contact list for MailChimp. If you haven’t, please click on the link below and subscribed to the newsletter. We will be providing this subscription link on the website and our social media channels as well to promote communications to our members and visitors.
https://albertarailwaymuseum.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=50b64fb14ea1e04985bce9fec&id=c5539f0483
Financially, the Museum is in stable condition. We appreciate the support of the Edmonton Heritage Council through the Heritage Community Investment Program Operational grant. The casino continues to be postponed until Alberta Health Services gives the go-ahead for indoor gatherings.
The big question that keeps popping up is opening to visitors for the 2021 season. We are hopeful that there will be a way to safely open, however no decisions have been made.
Board meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month via Zoom. Please contact me if you would like the link to the meeting. A friendly call out to purchase a membership to help support the Museum’s activities: https://albertarailwaymuseum.com/product/memberships/
I can be reached at 780 441 5917 or by email at [email protected] if you have questions, ideas, or donations.
Stephen
