The hamlet of Dorothy received a welcome boost to it’s renewal program. On Sat. Oct. 3 a near capacity crowd filled the East Coulee Community Hall with dancing and applause while enjoying an evening of Bluegrass music and roast beef dinner.
In behind the scenes the dollars were building to a sizeable pile. During the musicians break, Auctioneer Derek Dekeyser took the stage to auction off donated items as well as several tasty pies.
Well over $3000 went into the pot before the band again took to the stage.
Once again the mandolin banjo and fiddle, along with bass and guitar of the outstanding Jay Birds brought swirling couples to the dance floor.
Music and dance concluded with a standing ovation and encore by an audience that were unanimous in their approval.
From a Dorothy standpoint, the best was yet to come. With the donations from Drumheller and proceeds from a memorable evening were counted, over $14,000 was realized.
The Dorothy Community Fund President Joanne Hoff and Secretary Treasurer Linda Miller were thrilled with this outpouring of support from their Valley, their rancher neighbours and Drumheller donors.
Springtime plans in Dorothy call for a new camp kitchen along with some final touches added to the two restored churches. The re-roofing of the iconic elevator that welcomes visitors from the east will continue to be a future project.
A visit to this hamlet, so rich in pioneer ranching history provides a colourful chapter to Alberta´s past. In the words of the Log Cabin dwellers of the Past, “The Latch string is Out”.
