John has been in the area for over a year now and the museum has been able to benefit from his exposure in the art world. We have had several of his sculptures on display and maybe by next year we can feature John's sculptures in a garden outside of the museum.

The Gift Shop

The gift shop is a huge factor in the success of the museum. Of course it is a hit with the out-of-town visitors but the locals always come in to find that special gift to give grandchildren and other family and friends. The profit from the gift shop goes a long way to paying for the museum's day to day expenses. Phyllis continues to stock favorite books and will order in new titles as she hears of them. Another popular feature of the gift shop is that Phyllis keeps books on hand from our local authors. Stop in and see for yourselves.

My editor says to write our feelings about this past year. What can I possibly say about this past year? Well for one thing I can't believe it went this fast. Our theatre room, The Black Horse Theatre is running and successful due to the diligence of the Vice President and editor of this newsletter, and a few other volunteers that completed about 182 combined hours to the process. We have some interesting plans for next year as well but to wrap up our feelings about this past year we need to give credit where it's due.

The Grand River Museum is going into the fourteenth season since it opened. This is amazing to the board and especially me because we realize that as a board and as an individual we don't have the skills necessary to insure its success. Only God's will and blessing, working through many of you members and visitors can we realize the reason for this ongoing project. (With no exit strategy) We, as a board feel this guidance in almost all the decisions we are responsible for. We haven't made all the right decisions but God can and will use our bad decisions ultimately for good. Ain't that cool? This computer doesn't like it when I spell "ain't" but it just sounds better. Ain't that cool? Sometimes during a remodeling process, which my editor likes but I don't, we question whether it is all worth it. But the first visitor through the door in the spring answers that question. It is worth it. The people that frequent this museum are completely surprised and pleased with their choice to stop. The comments on the guest register and the remarks of many of our guests provide us with the direction that we need. "Way more than we expected" and "who does the displays?" are common themes. While it is still amazing to us that we are going on fourteen we do realize the reason. The members provide the product and the visitors sustain it and we thank you all for that. This museum is not about one family or one community or the history it preserves or the culture it portrays. This museum is about God providing for his children through his children. Ain't that cool?

Thank you and God bless you,

Stuart Schmidt

Wakpala Students Visit

The Bismarck Christian Motorcycle Association

Motorcyclists from Bismarck traveled to Lemmon in August to visit our museum as well as the Petrified Park, Shadehill Reservoir and the Hugh Glass Monument. Some of the association's members are residents of the Lemmon area. Thank you for bringing your group through Lemmon. We love being able to show our local culture through the museum theatre and exhibits.

Theater Room

We raised the necessary funds to receive our grant to build the new theatre room. What a process. We had discounts on materials from the local businesses, Northwest Supply, Olson's Carpet and Stock's Electric. The Current Connection has been a huge help as far as the projectors and speaker system. We had many, many, many volunteer hours donated for labor. Thank you, Doyle Lenerville, John Lopez, Kavan Donahue, Chuck Schmidt, Stuart & Lisa Schmidt & Kenny Tomac. We cleaned out the room (it was the storage room) and took the walls back to the studs, built more walls and a ceiling with insulation. We had professionals come in to wire in lighting and outlets for projectors, speakers and track lighting and lay in new carpeting. Come in and experience the theatre, view local cultural clips as well as many different Creation Science clips. Lots of comments on the theatre, awesome!

Membership Drawing

Congratulations to Del & Linda Newman, winners of the star quilt. Lisa Schmidt donated the star quilt again this year to say thank you to our faithful members for your prayers and support. Other drawing winners are Jerry & Carolyn Petik, Meadow; Norman Peterson, Colorado Springs CO; Beth Ebert, Lemmon; and Russ & Jeanette Umback, Lemmon.

Ed & Phyllis have had a busy season. Despite the economy, they had visitors from 41 states and 7 countries, many from Canada. Everyone continues to be amazed at the exhibits and quality of items on display. Many people from out of state make a point to return to the museum with friends and family. Phyllis said that this year has been one of the best.

Adventure Safaris hosted the dinosaur dig at the Schmidt Ranch in August 2011. One new addition to the whole dig experience was a new facility. Schmidt's had purchased and moved the old Grand Valley Hall to the ranch, to house restrooms and showers for the campers and a meeting area and camp kitchen for meals and lessons.

Both weeks of the dig were full to overflowing. It was awesome to visit with first time dig participants. They couldn't say enough good things about the people and the area. They were truly affected by the whole experience. They're coming back, for sure.