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Legion members with Sandra Dancey of the Northern Lights Gallery and Carla Tyacke with poppy mural on the back wall of the legion in Melfort. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)
Melfort Legion

Mural on Melfort Legion building commemorates 100th anniversary of the poppy

Sep 15, 2021 | 3:00 PM

A mural on the back wall of the Melfort Royal Canadian Legion building now commemorates the 100th anniversary of the poppy.

Legion members gathered on Tuesday as artist Carla Tyacke signed and put the finishing touches on the mural. The mural project was initiated by Sandra Dancey at the Northern Lights Gallery.

The +30-hour project was the first large outdoor mural for Tyacke.

“It feels really good to have it done, I have actually been overwhelmed and heartfelt with all of the great comments about it,” Tyacke said.

Artist Carla Tyacke signs her poppy mural masterpiece. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

Tyacke said to be part of the project with the legion was a great honour.

“For them to be looking and trust me to do that on such a big occasion, that’s huge,” Tyacke said. “It was such a great experience, and I enjoyed every moment.”

President of the Melfort legion Jim Graham told northeastNOW the mural fits in with other initiatives they have been working on this year inside and outside of the legion.

“Trying to beautify it a bit and make it stand out and make people in the community feel proud of the legion, “Graham said. “It was such a great opportunity for us and having Carla do it was really special for us.”

To see the finished product was special for Graham and his fellow legion members.

“It makes your heart feel so proud and it one of those things that enhances what we feel about ourselves,” Graham said. “We are so proud of the work that Carla did and so grateful that Sandra took the time and effort to approach us about it.”

The signs also went up on Tuesday for Veterans Way along Saskatchewan Ave.

(Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

Over 70 light poles on Saskatchewan Drive will have veteran banners on them this fall as well as part of the Veteran banner program by Communities in Bloom.

The Saskatchewan Provincial Legion annual conference is slated to be held in Melfort in October 2022.

“Getting some of these things done is going to enhance that a great deal for us,” Graham said.

The flooring in the Corvette Room in the legion building was just finished this week as well and new chairs will be purchased too.

“A lot of the people that come to our functions are elderly and these will be a bit more comfortable to sit and enjoy some of the things we do,” Graham said.

Graham said that it is too soon to tell what will be happening with their Remembrance Day program this year, but it will be broadcasted live again after feedback from last years.

angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

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