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Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Vol. 48, No. 05
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for Viking Royal Purple Patricia Harcourt Editor
Viking Royal Purple Association Lodge #122 celebrated its 75th anniversary with a luncheon and program at the Seniors Centre. The organization’s legacy of service to the community brought together members from over the years and also the public to help mark the special day on Tuesday, January 28. Royal Purple President Jamie Hodgins welcomed everyone and introduced the head table dignitaries. They included RP member Elehda Sevcik, County Councillor Dale Pederson, Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely, President Jamie Hodgins, Viking Mayor Jamie Buttner, and RP Class E (Honourary members) Gurene Hammer, Joan Fountain and Doris Arnett. Also in the crowd were members of Royal Purple lodges from Wainwright, Edgerton and Camrose. RP member Elehda Sevcik offered Grace before the luncheon, which then proceeded. The program began with greetings from the head table guests. Past President Dawn Hodgins provided a historical list of members who served over the years, including the most recent new members, paying tribute to many who gave to their community. Jeanne Congdon provided a history of the Viking Royal Purple #122 Lodge of Canada, its charter dated January 27, 1950 in partnership with the Viking Elks. The RP and Elks eventually separated and Royal Purple became a society with a new charter in place. “Many remained in this group for the rest of their lives,” said Congdon, listing the names of these founding members and noting: “These ladies have all passed away as 1950 Charter members. And 36
The celebration of Viking Royal Purple’s 75th year was held on Tuesday, January 28, at the Viking Seniors Centre. Cutting the anniversary cake at the event were President Jamie Hodgins and three Honourary lodge members Gurene Hammer, Joan Fountain, and Doris Arnett. PATRICIA HARCOURT PHOTOS more have passed who served many years.” She added: “Today, there are 17 members who work to give to children’s causes,” totalling three quarters of a million dollars raised for these causes. “That is a lot of money going back into the community,” she said. Over the years there were fundraisers like former Monday Night Bingo in the past, with the latest being the Hot Wing Eating Contest added just last year. “Our wish is to continue helping the children,” Congdon said. Tributes were also given to three departed members for their special contributions. A tribute was made to Marj Hanson as the longest serving charter member of the local Royal Purple. Creeann Anderson told of Hanson’s over 70 years of dedicated volunteering. Hanson was a nurse and teacher when she came to live in the Viking area. “Marj was the last Charter member of this lodge,” noted Anderson, adding Hanson loved the traditions that went along with the lodge and was “a strict Royal Purple (member).” Doreen Willey offered a tribute to the late Vivian
Gares. Gares, who served on the Royal Purple’s national executive, was well known for starting the Royal Purple’s Monday Night Bingo fundraiser along with fellow member Myrtle Ronaghan. As the service organization called her its busiest member, Ronaghan ’s tribute was given by Christine Boadway. “She was hard to turn down,” said Boadway of Myrtle, who spent much of her time organizing and recruiting helpers to her many causes and activities. “She was a true Royal Purple volunteer.” Then President Jamie Hodgins gave a tribute to Past President Dawn Hodgins: “We give credit to her for Royal Purple getting to 75 years,” she said, noting Dawn “rarely missed a meeting and held many executive positions throughout the past 35 years.” Mayor Buttner added words of praise, stating: “It takes an army to raise and keep a community going,” offering his thanks on behalf of the Town of Viking for the organization’s service for so many years. MLA Lovely also thanked the Royal Purple and presented a scroll containing a list of all the members. She also presented an official document from Continued on Page 4