Secrets of the Southwest 2013 Page 51
Great Sand Hills are a treasure of the Southwest The Great Sand Hills cover approximately 1,900 sq.
km. However, less than one per cent of the Great Sand Hills are comprised of open active sand dunes. The rest of the area is stabilized sand, but considered very fragile. The sparse ground cover, limited organic material, and low moisture holding capacity of the soil create a situation of great sensitivity to disturbance. The area is predominantly used for grazing cattle, although there has been an increase in gas exploration in recent years. Hunters and tourists are also major users of the Great Sand Hills.
This unique area is home to 70 species of birds,
19 species of mammals and five species of amphibi- ans.
To find the Great Sand Hills drive one mile west of
Sceptre, turn south off Highway 32. Proceed south six miles (9.6 km), follow speed curve west one mile (1.6). Turn south for six miles (9.6 km). Watch for signs. Be sure to bring a crazy carpet and have fun tobog- ganing down the huge sand dunes! Vehicles are restricted to a designated parking lot. There are no facilities on-site (washroom, camping, picnic, or garbage receptacle). Visitors are welcome, but please only leave your footprints behind.
Visit Sceptre during centennial celebrations! By Marcia Love
While visiting the Great Sand Hills, be sure to stop at the community of Sceptre. There's no better time than during Sceptre's centennial celebrations in June! The Village of Sceptre and RM of Clinworth are marking their 100th anniversary June 22-23, with lots of fun events scheduled. Located 10 km north of the Great Sandhills, the community of about 100 residents will be honouring its pioneers over the two-day celebrations, starting with a parade on Saturday morning. Following lunch, bus tours of the Sandhills will be offered. "It's such a unique feature of the area," explained Joan Adams, an organizer of the centennial. "Families can go out to the Sandhills and play with the kids." Activities will also be taking place at the Great Sandhills Museum, another attraction in the communi- ty. Formerly serving as the school, it was reopened in 1988 as a museum, showcasing the area's natural and human history.
"We certainly do have something special with the Great Sandhills Museum. It's truly amazing what it has and how it's been presented," Adams said. "People come from all over to look at our museum during the summer months." Tours, displays and demonstrations will be taking place at the museum for the centennial. A supper will be held Saturday evening, with enter- tainment yet to be determined afterwards. A special fireworks display to music will conclude the day's events.
A pancake breakfast will be held on Sunday morn-
ing, with the afternoon free for people to visit and tour around the community. The day will close with a sup- per.
"We're thrilled by the response, and there's so many people that are excited about coming home," Adams said.
In addition to the Great Sandhills Museum, Sceptre
also has a number of murals throughout the village depicting its history completed by local and outside artists. The community is also home to the world's larg- est metal wheat sculpture, which was created in 1990 and stands 33 feet tall.
For more information or to register for Sceptre's 100th anniversary weekend, visit sceptrelemsford100.
wix.com/sceptre-anniversary.
Great Sandhills Museum Gateway to the Great Sandhills
Located on Hwy No. 32 at SCEPTRE, SASK.
Interpretive Centre • Murals • Two-storey Barn Historic Church & Village Office • 1920's House
This unique museum features a boarding house, bank, cafe, railroad station, general store, school, church, hospital, dentist office and much more.
Museum Hours: May 15 to June 30
Mon. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - Noon, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Sundays 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Hours: July 1 to Sept. long weekend Mon. - Sun 9:30 a.m. - Noon, 12:30 - 5:00 p.m. Groups must book in advance 306-623-4345
Check out the other murals in the community, as well as the 33 ft. metal wheat sculpture!
www.greatsandhillsmuseum.com email:
gshs@sasktel.net
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