Oil Wives Clubs to converge on Medicine Hat for anniversary party
By Jeremy Appel on September 27, 2017.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel Oil Wives Clubs from across Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia will be convening at the Medicine Hat Lodge this week to celebrate the group’s 61st anniversary and its Medicine Hat chapter’s 50th. About 270 members representing 26 clubs will be present at the Alice in Wonderland-themed convention on Sept. 27, 28, 29 and Oct. 1. “The idea of the social club of oil wives came from all the wives (of) men working in the industry. It was just the idea that one night an oil wife would go out for an evening with friends … because all the men were gone,” said the Medicine Hat club’s co-chair Pam Schaufert. This year’s convention includes the annual general meeting, Medicine Hat’s ventriloquist and a dance party. “You have to plan and bid on these conventions two years in advance, so you have to be prepared with your hotel, your theme, your agenda,” said Schaufert. “It’s a lot of planning.” The group’s motto is “fostering friendship,” which Schaufert takes to heart. She said the club also does various fundraisers in town throughout the year, which engages members in community service while providing bonding experiences. 9
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