Aaron Chatha

Multimedia Journalist

A centennial is truly a momentous occasion. The average person won't live to see 100, but the community of Crowfoot is celebrating as their local schoolhouse turns 100 this year.

On June 30, at the schoolhouse, community members will gather to remember the history behind the school and the impact it's had on their community. It's a building with character, the remains in use even today.

"It's an active schoolhouse, we use it for community functions now, for the Crowfoot area," Lynne Hilton, member of the board of directors and volunteer for the Crowfoot centennial committee. "It's a very active community."

Hilton recalled just six years ago when the schoolhouse was lifted off of it's foundation in order to replace the original, crumbling basement. Indoor plumbing, among other additions, were added. It is still a very busy place, with bridal showers, school picnics and 4-H club meetings held inside on a regular basis.

"Every year we have an annual ball tournament and a school's out picnic for the kids. On the 30th we're actually going to combine the events," Hilton explained.

The annual ball tournament will begin on the Friday before the celebration and carry through Sunday. The schoolhouse celebration on Saturday will kick off with a school's out fun and games at 4 p.m.

At 5 p.m., there will be a program to commemorate the 100 years, where a few dignataries will be presented with plaques. And new copies of an old recipe book, which has been an ongoing community effort over the last few years, will be on sale.

"There will be a lot of history," Hilton said. "There will be stories told about the schoolhouse, there will be the original bill. We actually have one living charter member, an older lady who's going to be in attendance we hope."

They will recognize the original students of the school, and supper will be served at 6 p.m. Following the meal, Drew Gregory, a musician from Standard, will play a few tunes.

"He's going to come, sit on the tail-end of his truck and we're going to have some entertainment."

Hilton also said the event will be wheelchair accessible and a powerpoint history presentation will run throughout the day.

"There are a lot of older members of our community that have done a lot of work volunteering and they're really excited to see this come together."