Historic Markerville – Page 2 – Markerville Photos

Markerville Picnic, 1921

In 1891, Helga Stephansson, along with Sigurlaug Kristinnson (Stephan’s sister), established Vonin (or “Hope”), a ladies’ aid society.

In the early years, the members met in each other’s homes to plan social events through which they could raise money for community projects. Their projects were wide-ranging. For example, if a woman living in the area, whether of Icelandic descent or not, was ill, Vonin was there with personal items such as a nightgown or slippers, or perhaps a box of oranges. Other fundraising targeted specific projects. Perhaps the library needed money to subscribe to Icelandic newspapers or perhaps a family lost its home to fire or was in dire straits.

As today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, how will you show kindness to someone today?

Image courtesy Provincial Archives of Alberta, “Picnic at Markerville, Alberta”, 1921, A2236.
— Facebook post from February 17, 2024 by Stephanson House Provincial Historic Site

Ryan McMahon at Fensala Hall

Above: Photo of Ryan McMahon provided by the artist for promotional material.

The March 8th, 2025 Fensala Hall concert with Ryan McMahon had ENERGY: with stories, Dad jokes, and of course GREAT music that made the evening soar! He brought his old lamp and comfy kitchen chair and welcomed us all to join him for an evening of heartfelt music and laughter!

Ryan played a couple of covers including “Old Man” by Neil Young. During his performance we were treated to original songs; many from his latest album “Live Now”, plus his just released “Used to be You”.

Ryan “lost an hour” in Markerville, staying overnight in the Buttermaker’s House. He joined the Kaffistofa coffee gang on Sunday for a few more stories and laughs to start the day, and had a photo taken with Marie Sveinson and Frank Sigurdson for good measure!

Ryan is a third of the way through his LEARNING TO SHINE: 25 Years in Music tour. He plays Ponoka on March 10th, and then it’s on to Saskatoon and Wynyard. His tour takes him to Manitoba and Ontario; hitting Alberta again for several shows, and finally BC for even more during the last week of March and onward!

Check out the itinerary on his website at https://ryanmcmahon.com/

Photos by Byron Nilsson

After spending 2023 recording & releasing his seventh studio album and touring as Burton Cummings’ & Tom Cochrane’s support act, Ryan McMahon is spending his 2024/2025 on the run once more. No stranger to Canadian highways, Ryan will be embarking on several months of tour dates between Sept 2024 & April of 2025.

A 25-year veteran of Canada’s musical landscape, Ryan has long been a genre fence-sitter, blending the boundaries of folk, rock, roots & country. He’s shared the stage with everyone from Mother Mother to Lisa Loeb to Aaron Pritchett, and at the age of 44 has just begun writing music for his next album. Equally at home fronting a full band or playing solo like so many folk troubadours before him, Ryan’s sincere songwriting & dynamic delivery resonates with any audience.

Sponsored in part by Red Deer County and Alberta Foundation for the Arts!

Johannson Family 1957/1958

Photo of Evelyn Johannson and six of her eight kids, taken one day on the way to school about the end of the school term 1957/58.
The Johannson’s were some of the many people and families who lived in the Buttermaker’s House over the years.

#ButtermakersHouseRestoration
#ThrowbackThursday

Steam Engine Pulling Out Trees

“Steam engine pulling out trees, Markerville, Alberta.”, 1912, (CU188352) by Unknown.

L-R: Arnie Bardel; Paul Bardell, unknown, child.
Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

Shaye Zadravec at Fensala Hall

Above: Photo of Shaye Zadravec and Tim Leacock provided by the artist for promotional material

On November 9th, 2024, Fensala Hall was brimming with the great sounds of Shaye Zadravec and Tim Leacock during the second offering of the Fensala Hall Concert Series 2024/2025 season. Playing to an almost full house, the duo delivered some great classic country along with Shaye’s own ballads. — Photos by John McKechnie

Hailing from Calgary, AB, Shaye Zadravec, a strong vocalist and passionate performer, continues to develop and pursue her career in music.

Since beginning in 2011, she has released an EP, “Norway”, and a full length album, “Now and Then”. Both recordings reached audiences within Canada and overseas which has since led to two European tours throughout the Netherlands.

Accompanied by seasoned musician, Tim Leacock, the pair weave originals and carefully chosen material in their set. Shaye flourishes in the art of interpretation and draws influence from a wide variety of artists and genres carrying her audience on an emotional musical journey.

Sponsored in part by Red Deer County and Alberta Foundation for the Arts!

The Travelling Mabels at Fensala Hall

Above: Image provided by The Travelling Mabels for promotional material

FENSALA HALL CONCERT SERIES presents THE TRAVELLING MABELS!
October 5th, 2024 was a fun-filled evening with great music, free popcorn, prize draws, free dessert, a few tears, and lots of laughs! The standing ovation brought the band back for three more terrific tunes!
Here are photos from the much enjoyed Saturday evening!

Photos by Byron Nilsson

The Travelling Mabels are an award-winning folk/country group from southern Alberta. For more than fifteen years, they have brought their own unique brand of harmony, humour and musicianship to audiences from coast to coast, performing at venues ranging from folk clubs and community halls to big festivals. They have shared the stage with many notable artists including Ian Tyson, Tom Jackson, The Elvis Imperials and Gene Watson. They have also collectively written and recorded four CDs which have enjoyed extensive airplay on radio stations such as CBC and CKUA.

As an ardent fan once humorously stated “If the Eagles and the Trio (Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris) were a family, then surely their children would be The Travelling Mabels”.

Their song release, Alberta Blue, has been a long time fan favourite and features a cameo vocal performance by the legendary Ian Tyson.

Their latest album titled “Take Me Home” features 11 songs, comprised of mostly original music, a Billy Joel instrumental cover and a remix of their most popular song “Alberta Blue”.
Additionally, the lyrics to Alberta Blue have been featured in an award winning Children’s board book titled “Alberta Blue – A Prairie Sky Lullaby”.

Sponsored in part by Red Deer County and Alberta Foundation for the Arts!

Karen Scarlett

The fall weather was warm enough for us to enjoy an outdoor art talk with Karen Scarlett during the coffee gathering at Kaffistofa on October 5th, 2024.

Karen is part way through her Artist Residency stay at the Buttermaker’s House and wanted to share some of her process and progress on the four art pieces she is working on that are tied to her stay in Markerville.

Karen touched on her early years growing up on the family farm near Innisfail, and of the artistic influence she received from her Mom, Dad, and Grandma Scarlett. Creativity is a lifelong adventure for her, and has always been a vital part of life.

After the morning coffee goodies were passed around by d’Arcy Gamble, Karen showed us various artwork she’s currently painting, as well as described her plans for works based on the Church and the Ice House (with ideas percolating for two more, one of which could be the Buttermaker’s House).

Karen finished her talk with a short demonstration of watercolour painting for some eager spectators, both adults and kids!

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, and the way Karen was able to discuss the process and concepts to be easily understood by the layman.

You can find out more about Karen’s artwork on her website: karenscarlett.com

Excerpt from Karen’s Proposal: “My practice centers around the prairie and the magic it provides. With a focus on vivid landscapes and structures that reflect the cultural essence of a place. I plan to use painting and drawing as a primary medium to capture the unique features of Markerville’s local spaces, such as the Creamery, the Fensala Hall, the Ice House, the bridge and river too. These structures/spaces not only serve as representations of Icelandic settlement but are also symbols of resilience, community, and the pioneering spirit of the Icelandic immigrants who helped build them. My hope is the pieces I create during my stay reflect these characteristics.”

Scarlett is a multidisciplinary artist. Besides fine art, Karen also instructs, consults and creates murals including leading community groups to create a vision for their unique space.

Karen lives in Innisfail, Alberta. You can find her work in private, corporate and public art collections around the world.

Buttermaker’s House Artist Residency is supported by Red Deer County and Alberta Foundation for the Arts. An award is available to qualified applicants, sponsored by INLNA (Icelandic National League of North America).

https://www.historicmarkerville.com/buttermaker-house.html

Photos from Sept 28 Gala

The Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society’s 50th Anniversary Gala was a labour of love from the committee members and volunteers!
Bernice, Marlene, John, Pam, Beth, and Donna were there right from the beginning of planning the September 28, 2024 event. The spouses and other volunteers magically appeared for the usual behind the scenes set up at Spruce View Hall. Our local smithy Doug Taylor (BrenX Artistic Blacksmithing) came through with a beautiful (and very popular) centrepiece for the 20 tables. d’Arcy & Al Gamble kept the Brennivin flowing with “first the Herring, then take a drink.”
The evening was in good hands under the care of Laurel Corbiere, our Master of Ceremonies, who kept everything on track; and the Spruce View 2025 Grads did a wonderful job serving the meal under the guidance of Jaye Hillman.
After the fun, feast, and fanfare was over, it was wonderful to see the West Central Wranglers 4H and Rangeland Beef 4H arrive just in time for the event take down and cleanup.

Fjallkona

The Master of Ceremonies Laurel Corbiere began with her opening remarks, and then introduced Kathleen Raines, the 2024 Alberta Fjallkona, to give an address to the SGSIS 50th Anniversary Gala attendees on September 28, 2024.

Supper

Before the formal dinner began several attendees and representatives presented greetings, including President John McKechnie, the Honourable Earl Dreeshen, Mayor Jim Woods, and Councilor Brent Ramsay. Karen Gummo read one of Stephan G.’s poems in Icelandic and then in English; followed by Grace given by Ellen Ingolfsson in Icelandic.
I’ve also included some photos of the meal (along with requested gluten free options) with a warm Thank You to Milly Oak Café & Catering (Derek Layden), Jaye Hillman, and the Spruce View 2025 Grads.