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MANYBERRIES, AB
Last modified February 28, 2005

Manyberries, a hamlet of almost a hundred people located 71 km south of Medicine Hat, bursts with community spirit! Between the Community Association and the Agriculture Society, a lot of activities are happening.

The Manyberries School is embarking in a new direction. In the fall of 2006, it will become known as the Manyberries Riding Academy. While remaining part of the Prairie Rose School Division, it will offer a daily horsemanship program. The Academy's Mission Statement says:

  • Our students will thrive in a small rural environment combining academics with horsemanship and outdoor education. This will be accomplished through an open, collaborated effort using a variety of means to achieve success.

    • A venture of this size always requires a significant investment. To raise money for the riding arena, the community brought in Ian Tyson for a concert on September 25, 2004. The community hall was filled with a sold out audience as Ian provided his thrilling music.

    Welcome to the Manyberries Riding Academy! The modern school has six classrooms, a gymnasium, and high-speed internet for the up-to-date computers.
    The Parents' Council just installed a new playground in 2004.

    The Manyberries Curling Club is pleased to put on four bonspiels in honour of our Twentieth Anniversary. We hope that you will be able to attend one or all of these fun events. Visitors are encouraged to drop by and enjoy a cup of coffee as you watch the action.

    For information about the club, or to register for the bonspiels, please call Mr. Lee Finstad at (403) 868-2088.

    Last summer saw several successful gymkhanas take place in the stampede grounds. More events will be put on this summer.

    This past December 27, three bird watchers braved the biting "Manyberries Chinook" to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count. Hopefully, better publicity next year will enable more people to join in.

    The biggest event of 2005 was undoubtedly the Orion and Manyberries Homecoming. The five hundred people who were here on August 5 - 7 had a great time. The Manyberries Country Fair, a gymkhana and a banquet were the main activities, but people spent many hours mingling and renewing acquaintances. The parade was so well received that the participants turned around and retraced the route a second time! (This is a tradition in Manyberries.)

    The community would like to welcome the new owners of the Southern Ranchmen's Inn, Tracy Elhart and his partner Vicki Seefried. With renovated rooms and good food, this historic business is always popular with both travellers and residents.

    The Manyberries Station has been lovingly restored by Carl and Joyce. Carl will be pleased to give you a tour of the station, as well as the 1913 CPR caboose that is his current project. They rent rooms in the adjacent Sectionman's House.


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