BLADWORTH—The Bladworth community got to show off some of the renovations at the community hall April 14 at the Bladworth Elks Steak Fry.

The fresh paint, bright interior and new ceiling tiles were a hit with the large crowd that gathered for the annual fundraiser.

The acoustics in the hall are much improved thanks to lowering the ceiling height and the installation of acoustic tiles that helped deaden the sound made by noisy crowds.

More than 200 steaks were served at the Steak Fry, which is an annual fundraiser. This year’s event featured a local small item auction that brought in just over $3,000.

All proceeds from the auction will go towards the hall fund.

A featured item of the auction was replica John Deere toy tractor made from parts from an old Singer sewing machine. The Seifert family donated the tractor to the auction in honour of Albert Seifert, a long-time member of the Bladworth Elks, who passed away in July 2017. Bladworth Elks member and friend of Albert’s, Greg Brkich, bought the tractor.

“That was Albert’s last contribution to the Elks,” says Dan Campbell, Albert’s brother-in-law.

Dan had the tractor made for Albert just before he was diagnosed with cancer. Dan, who is married to Albert’s sister Heimke, lives in Calgary and he knew of a fellow there who makes these unique tractors from pieces of old Singer sewing machines as a hobby. The gas engines in the tractors come from broken weed eaters. Campbell says when he first saw the tractor, he knew Albert, who was a farmer, would appreciate it, so he had one made for him.

“Papa (Bruno) liked it, so I got one for him too and I got one for me,” Dan said.

The tractor auctioned at the Elks Steak Fry was the one that belonged to Albert. Dan said they wanted to auction it off in his name to honour his service to the Elks.