LAC LA BICHE – In September, the Lac La Biche Heritage Society will be hosting a party that has been half a century in the making.
The organization, which provides activities and social events for seniors living in the Lac La Biche region, is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Sept. 5 and 6.
According to Les Diachinsky, president of the Lac La Biche Heritage Society, on Sept. 5, there will be an open house with presentations and tables for people to view historical displays of the local seniors’ centre, which started as a society in 1975, along with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1 p.m.
“Saturday’s our main event, our dinner and our show,” he said.
According to Diachinsky, the Lac La Biche Heritage Society has been at its current location, a former Alberta government liquor store located at 10112-102 Ave in the hamlet of Lac La Biche, since the 1990s.
Prior to this, the organization was based out of the building on Churchill Drive that is now home to the Lac La Biche Native Friendship Centre.
Long-time member of the heritage society, Jules Laberge, was instrumental in procuring the current building for the organization.
Laberge, Diachinsky explained, was well connected politically, and was able to speak with elected officials, along with individuals and groups who could provide funding.
“It was Jules that talked to politicians and secured some funding to get this building,” he said.
In the past, the Lac La Biche Heritage Society was focused on looking at and preserving the heritage of the community. However, once the current building was secured, it evolved into more of an activity centre for members.
“That’s where we are today with activities,” said Diachinsky
Diachinsky, who has served as president of the Lac La Biche Heritage Society for the past five years, said the 50th anniversary celebration of the organization will recognize those who built the centre and worked to make it what it is today.
“The anniversary is really of the building and the people in front of us that put all this together for us to enjoy,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Stacey St. Jean, executive director of the Lac La Biche Heritage Society, said the event to mark the organization’s 50 years is significant as it honours the past, present, and future.
St. Jean believes the celebration will help showcase the heritage society and the work done by members over the years.
“I think it’ll bring some awareness to the things that we’re moving towards and the things that we’ve done,” she said. “There’s a lot of hard workers that put this thing together . . . that kept it going . . . lots of volunteers.”
Anne Lemay was involved with the Lac La Biche Heritage Society for several years. In addition to being a member, Lemay sat on the organization’s board of directors and served as president for three years, a position she enjoyed.
“I had a good executive . . . vice president . . . treasurer, and so on,” she said.
Lemay is looking forward to attending the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Lac La Biche Heritage Society and hopes to see a lot of folks who will be returning for the special occasion.
During the years she was involved with the organization, Lemay said there were various activities, including card games and cribbage tournaments, along with dinners and other functions that too place.
“It’s a place for seniors to meet,” she said.
