News

Don’t Miss It—Tomorrow!

The MD of Spirit River’s Annual Ratepayers’ BBQ & Seniors Appreciation Day is happening tomorrow, Thursday, July 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Nardam Campground!

Join us for a delicious BBQ, entertainment, prize draws, and the opportunity to meet your Council, municipal staff, and local organizations. Whether you’re coming to connect with neighbours, learn about community resources, or simply enjoy a great afternoon, we’d love to see you there!

Bring your lawn chair, bring your appetite, and join the fun!

Next stop on our 2026 Summer Bus Tour is on July 24^th where we will be heading to Girouxville to visit their museum, the Catholic Pilgrimage site, and the Stations of the Cross at Notre Dame de Lourdes.

Nestled in the Smoky River Region of northern Alberta, the small francophone village of Girouxville (population around 278) preserves a rich tapestry of pioneer life, missionary heritage, and Catholic devotion. At its heart stand two closely linked attractions: the Girouxville Museum and the adjacent Catholic pilgrimage site centered on the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church and Grotto. Together with outdoor Stations of the Cross, these sites offer visitors a poignant glimpse into the French-Canadian settler experience and enduring spiritual traditions in the Peace Country.

The Girouxville Museum: Preserving Pioneer and Missionary Legacy

The Musée Girouxville Museum, located at 5015-50th Street on the village’s main street, opened its doors in 1969. It was the vision and dedicated work of Father Clément Desrochers, O.M.I. (1910–2003), an Oblate missionary, historian, and community pillar who recognized the rapid loss of artifacts from the region’s early settlement days.

The museum houses over 6,000 artifacts illustrating the history of pioneers and missionaries who settled the Smoky River area. Exhibits span natural history, transportation (including an Autobaggan from the Northwest Territories and antique vehicles like a 1954 fire truck and a Studebaker Commander), communications, education, photography, the fur trade, hunting, trapping, and daily rural life. Unique items, such as a five-legged squirrel, captivate visitors of all ages. An additional “Auto Building” on the premises displays more machinery and vehicles.

The collection reflects the broader context of Girouxville’s history. Originally known as Fowler (a railway station name), the community was renamed in 1915 after an early settler named Giroux. The first post office opened in 1917. French-speaking settlers, many from Quebec guided by Oblate missionaries, arrived in the early 20th century to farm the fertile lands. The Cree referred to the area as “umstosee owuskee” (“Frenchman’s Land”). Girouxville became a village in 1951, with institutions like a credit union (1941) and co-op underscoring its cooperative, culturally vibrant character.

Today, the museum—managed by the village and volunteers—operates seasonally (typically late June to mid-August) and by appointment off-season. It serves as a vital cultural anchor, complemented by the village’s French heritage.

The Catholic Pilgrimage Site: Notre Dame de Lourdes Church and Grotto

Next door to the museum stands the Paroisse Notre Dame de Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes Parish) and its neighboring grotto, a focal point for Catholic devotion in the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan. Father Clément Desrochers also played a key role here, instituting the annual pilgrimage in 1950—making it a tradition spanning more than seven decades.

The site replicates elements of the renowned Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, honoring the 1858 apparitions to St. Bernadette. The Girouxville grotto, located in the village center near the church at 4904 50 Ave, features statuary, paintings, reliquaries, and sacred artifacts. Many of these items are also represented or housed in the adjacent museum. The pilgrimage draws faithful from across the archdiocese, especially around the Feast of the Assumption (August 15).

Typical events include Masses (often bilingual), rosary, reconciliation, vespers, processions (including candlelight and with the Blessed Virgin Mary statue), benediction, a healing service, and communal meals. The 2022 schedule, for example, featured a vigil Mass, movie screening, and Divine Mercy Chaplet, blending prayer, reflection, and fellowship.

The site embodies the deep faith of the French-Canadian pioneers and missionaries who built the community amid the challenges of northern settlement.

The Outdoor Stations of the Cross at Notre Dame de Lourdes

Complementing the church and grotto are the outdoor Stations of the Cross (Chemin de Croix), providing a contemplative path for pilgrims to meditate on Christ’s Passion. These stations form part of the sacred grounds, enhancing the pilgrimage experience with an immersive, open-air devotional walk amid the natural surroundings—typical of many Catholic shrines that feature a Calvary or outdoor Via Crucis.

While specific construction details for Girouxville’s stations are tied to the broader development of the grotto site under Father Desrochers’ influence, they align with the 14 traditional stations and support processions and personal prayer. Visitors and locals can walk them as part of regular devotions or during the annual pilgrimage, fostering a tangible connection to faith in a serene rural setting.

A Living Heritage

Girouxville’s museum and pilgrimage site are more than tourist stops; they are testaments to resilience, cultural preservation, and spiritual life in Alberta’s Peace Country. Father Desrochers’ dual legacy—safeguarding material history while nurturing faith—continues to draw visitors and pilgrims. Whether exploring pioneer artifacts by day or joining evening processions at the grotto, one encounters the intertwined stories of those who shaped this Francophone corner of the prairies.

For current hours, events, or visits, check the Village of Girouxville website or contact the museum directly @ 780-323-4252. In a world of rapid change, these sites quietly invite reflection on roots, community, and enduring belief.

Click 2026 Summer Bus Tour to view the remaining tours for this year.

Echoes of the Peace: Pioneers, Steam, and Brushstrokes in Beaverlodge

Our next Bus Trip is heading for Beaverlodge & Valhalla this Friday, July 17^th where you’ll get to tour the South Peace Centennial Museum and Interpretive Centre, Beaverlodge Art & Culture Centre, and Euphemia McNaught Homestead Heritage Site. Together, these three places form a rich tapestry of heritage in the Beaverlodge area of Alberta’s Peace River Country. These sites preserve the region’s pioneer agricultural roots, early settlement architecture, and vibrant artistic legacy.

South Peace Centennial Museum and Interpretive Centre

The South Peace Centennial Museum, located on Highway 43 between Beaverlodge and Hythe, stands as one of Alberta’s premier agricultural heritage sites. It began modestly in 1967 as a hobby of local enthusiast Ted McLean, who collected and restored old farm machinery, particularly steam engines. That year—Canada’s Centennial—saw the first “Pioneer Day” event, featuring threshing demonstrations, sawmill operations, homemade ice cream, flour grinding, and vintage tractor displays, drawing community support.

What started as a small collection has grown into a 40-acre pioneer village and interpretive centre, recognized as the largest working, steam-powered farm equipment museum in Alberta. It features hundreds of restored antique tractors, steam engines, stationary engines, horse-drawn wagons, carriages, and automobiles. Visitors explore 15+ historic buildings moved to the site, including homesteaders’ cabins, a trading post, church, school (such as Two Rivers School), grist mill, community hall (Circle Bank Hall), general store, blacksmith shop, barn, carriage house, and railway structures. A notable addition is the Foster’s Pioneer Grain Elevator complex, relocated in a major project around 2004.

The museum emphasizes hands-on experiences of pre-modern pioneer life, highlighting the ingenuity required to build the region without electricity or advanced machinery. Annual events like Pioneer Days (featuring working equipment, antique vehicles, and entertainment), Harvest Festival, car shows, farmers’ markets, and seasonal activities draw visitors year-round. Open daily in summer by donation, it continues its mission: “Preserve the Past ~ For the Future.”

Beaverlodge Art & Culture Centre

Housed in the historic former Beaverlodge Hospital (built in 1937, operated until 1956), the Beaverlodge Art & Culture Centre (also known as the Beaverlodge Area Cultural Society or BACS) represents the town’s transformation of a practical medical building into a vibrant community arts hub.

The centre features multiple galleries for rotating exhibits, a gift shop highlighting local artists and craftspeople, artists’ studios, workspaces for potters and weavers, and a charming Pink Tea Room (formerly the men’s ward) with stained glass. It includes the McNaught Room, dedicated to the legacy of Euphemia McNaught. The facility hosts art classes, workshops, monthly shows, and community events, serving as a gathering place that bridges the area’s pioneer history with contemporary creativity.

Its location across from Beaverlodge’s iconic giant beaver statue makes it a visible landmark along the Alaska Highway route, drawing locals and travelers alike.

Euphemia McNaught Homestead Heritage Site

The McNaught Homestead, located south of Beaverlodge on secondary highway 722, is a Provincial Historic Resource designated in 2003. It exemplifies early 20th-century settlement in the Peace River Country and is deeply tied to one of Alberta’s most acclaimed artists.

In 1909–1911, groups of settlers from Ontario, including members of the Christian Association, arrived in the Beaverlodge area. Charles and Eliza McNaught homesteaded starting in 1911, building a two-storey log house and other structures. Their daughter Euphemia (“Betty”) McNaught (1902–2001) arrived with the family in 1912. She trained at the Ontario College of Art (graduating 1929) under Group of Seven members J.E.H. MacDonald and Arthur Lismer, then returned to the homestead. She established a studio in the relocated Appleton schoolhouse on the property and became renowned for her vivid depictions of northwestern Canadian landscapes. Her work earned provincial and national recognition, including awards like the Alberta Achievement Award (1977) and the Sir Frederick Haultain Award (1982).

The site comprises about 17 buildings on roughly 64 hectares, including the original log house (stucco-covered), large and small barns, chicken coop, pump house, garage, granaries, and the schoolhouse—forming one of the most complete early settlement farmsteads in the region. Donated by Noel McNaught to the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, it is now stewarded by the McNaught Homestead Preservation Society (formed 2005). The Society focuses on restoration, an artists’ retreat, festivals, workshops, nature trails, and preserving the legacy of Euphemia McNaught as an educator and advocate for the arts.

Interconnected Heritage

These sites are intertwined: the Beaverlodge Art & Culture Centre honours McNaught’s contributions, while the South Peace Centennial Museum preserves the broader pioneer agricultural context that shaped her world. Together, they celebrate the hardworking settlers who tamed the Peace Country, the cultural life that flourished there, and the enduring artistic inspiration drawn from its landscapes. Visitors to the Beaverlodge area can experience living history—from steam-powered demonstrations and pioneer buildings to galleries and the serene homestead that nurtured a major Canadian artist. These institutions keep the region’s stories alive for future generations.

RR 61 from Hwy 49 north to TWP 784 will be closed from July 15th, 2026, to July 17th, 2026.

10-DP-26 Notice of Approval

Please join Council during their Regular Council meeting on July 8^th @ 9:00 AM, either in person at the MD Administration Office or virtually on Teams.

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 220 505 280 799 48

Passcode: wi3tD3hB

For access to the agenda, click on July 8, 2026 Agenda

You’re invited to join us at our Ratepayers’ BBQ on Thursday, July 23rd!

This is a great opportunity to connect directly with the MD Council and Staff, local ratepayers, community members, and families in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. We welcome MD businesses to:

• Set up a table or booth
• Provide representation and share information about your services
• Network with the community
• Showcase what you do

Whether you’re a small local business, a contractor, a service provider, or a larger organization — all are welcome!

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
• Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Location: Nardam Campground

This is a family-friendly event with good food, entertainment, and community conversation. Come meet the people you serve and build valuable relationships!

Interested in reserving a table/booth? Send us an email to mdsr133@mdspiritriver.ab.ca or give us a call at (780) 864-3500 to secure your spot.

We look forward to seeing you there!

On Friday, July 10^th, the MD Transit Bus will be heading west to Cotillion Park Campground and Moonshine Lake where rolling hills meet vast forests and quiet waters, two of Saddle Hills County’s most treasured destinations offer visitors a chance to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the beauty of the North. Cotillion Campground and Moonshine Lake are more than just recreational sites—they are places where memories are made and the natural landscape tells stories that span generations.

Cotillion Campground: A Riverside Escape

Nestled along the banks of the mighty Peace River, Cotillion Campground is one of Saddle Hills County’s most scenic treasures. The spectacular river valley views are said to be the very same that impressed explorer Alexander Mackenzie in 1793 as he travelled west in search of a route to the Pacific Ocean.

Today, visitors to Cotillion are greeted by rugged sandstone cliffs, towering forests, and abundant wildlife. Moose, deer, eagles, beavers, and even the occasional bear can often be spotted in the area, reminding guests that they are truly immersed in the wilderness.

The campground itself offers a peaceful retreat with overnight campsites, powered sites, picnic tables, fire pits, and modern amenities. Adventure seekers can explore the extensive trail network by foot or ATV, launch a boat on the Peace River, cast a fishing line from the riverbank, or venture out to discover the park’s secluded waterfall hidden among the trees.

Cotillion is also a gathering place for the community. Each summer, the campground hosts the popular Music in the Park event, bringing residents and visitors together to enjoy live entertainment against the stunning backdrop of the Peace River Valley.

Moonshine Lake: One of the Jewels of Saddle Hills County

A short drive north of Highway 49 lies Moonshine Lake, a destination beloved by locals and visitors alike for its year-round recreation and breathtaking natural beauty.

The lake itself has an intriguing history. Originally known as Mirage Lake, local folklore suggests that its current name dates back to the 1920s when two men, Jack Campbell and Harry Hanrahan, accidentally spilled their homemade moonshine while climbing the lake’s steep northern bank. The name “Moonshine Lake” has endured ever since, adding a touch of mystery and legend to this peaceful setting.

Established as a provincial park in 1979, Moonshine Lake Provincial Park has grown into one of the region’s premier outdoor destinations. Surrounded by boreal mixed-wood forests, the park offers opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, birdwatching, and camping.

The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, making it a favourite destination for anglers in both summer and winter. Families enjoy the sandy beach, playgrounds, and scenic trails, while winter visitors can often be found ice fishing, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing through the snow-covered landscape. Nearby Jack Bird Pond provides an additional opportunity for wildlife viewing and peaceful walks.

In a world that often moves too quickly, Cotillion Campground and Moonshine Lake offer something increasingly rare: the opportunity to unplug, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature.

Whether it’s watching the sun set over the Peace River, hearing the call of loons across Moonshine Lake, or gathering around a campfire with family and friends, these destinations remind us why the wilderness of the Central Peace is so special.

For residents and travellers alike, Cotillion Campground and Moonshine Lake are not simply places on a map—they are experiences waiting to be discovered and cherished for generations to come.