The March 29 session of the 2018 Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology’s Speaker Series is a presentation by Dr. Susan Crockford, University of Victoria, BC, entitled, “Dogs Across The Pacific: How Man's Best Friend Came to the New World Before the Arrival of Europeans.”

Dogs came to the Americas from Eurasia with their human companions. Virtually everywhere archaeologists find evidence of people in the Americas at sites 10,000 years old or less, they find skeletal remains of dogs. Where in Eurasia did these dogs come from? How did the biological transformation from wolf to dog happen? Can we tell from their remains where wolves first became dogs, and what route dogs and their human companions took to the Americas?

Dr. Susan Crockford has spent almost 30 years studying the history and evolution of dogs. Her research focuses on the role of thyroid hormone in vertebrate speciation, archaeological studies on dog origins, prehistoric dogs in the Americas, and genetic studies.

In her presentation, Dr. Crockford will discuss her research on the history and evolution of dogs in the Americas, providing some new answers to these age-old questions. Copies of Dr. Crockford’s book, Rhythms of Life: Thyroid Hormone and the Origin of Species, will be available for sale by author (cash only).

The Royal Tyrrell Museum’s Speaker Series talks are free and open to the public. The series is held every Thursday until April 26 at 11:00 a.m. in the Museum auditorium. Speaker Series talks are also available on the Museum’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/RoyalTyrrellMuseumofPalaeontology.

There are five new Directors on the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce (DDCC) Board after Thursday’s, March 22, Annual General Meeting at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF).
Barry Fullerton, Joanne Contenti of Scotia Bank, Roger Stevenson of Cooperators and Joanne Hodgson of Fountain Tire were selected for 3 year terms and Brock Harrington was selected for a two year term.
The DDCC has a few goals they wish to accomplish this year like having meaningful memberships and to hold a strong, diverse Board of Directors to represent all areas of small business.
Tourism Services Manager Debbie Schinnour reported that 2017 was a good year for the World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD) as visitation was up 13.7 per cent when compared to the 5-year average.
Board and staff are still establishing short and long term maintenance plans for the WLD but new fire doors, smoke detectors, security cameras, and reconfigured grates were installed last year.
The WLD Legacy Fund distributed funds to the 1st Drumheller Scouts for $400, Drumheller Off Road Vehicle Association for $2,106 and the East Coulee School Museum in the amount of $11,750. The Canadian Badlands Aquatic Club, Drumheller Minor Ball Association, Drumheller Pioneer Trail Society, and the Wayne Community Association all received $3,000 towards their organizations. In total, the program gave $26,256 to local non-profit organizations last year.
An innovative Visitor Information Centre (VIC) program was conducted in July and August at the Royal Tyrrell Museum outdoor plaza. This program allowed staff to counsel 2,080 tourists on the other attractions the Valley has to offer, potentially lengthening their stay.
President Brock Harrington highlighted in his report that DDCC will be expanding their Lunch and Learn series to allow business owners a better chance of attending. The Spring Expo which will be held next month at Greentree Mall is still on the agenda as well as the busy Canada Day Parade and annual golf tournament.
Membership remained consist in 2017 with 238 members. 25 new members joined the Chamber equating to a three per cent growth in membership.
The Drumheller DinoArts Association explained that this was their sixth year entrenched in the Drumheller community. A new dinosaur named Curt was installed at the Napier Theatre on Thursday, November 23, 2017.
“It seems that the residents of Drumheller are also seeing that our additions are not just tourist attractions but are enhancing the community for locals as well,” said DinoArts Chairperson Courtney Bell.
In 2018, the group will be enhancing the South Hill’s main entrance into Drumheller by painting the South Hill water tower and adding a new mural to the exterior of the Napier Theatre building.
Throughout 2017, the Business Advocacy Committee pushed to expand a ‘shop local’ mentality by advocating change to the Town of Drumheller’s purchasing policy. Council eventually moved to change the policy in regards to preferential purchasing from local businesses before looking to outer sources.
Council has recently passed the updated mobile vendor bylaw with help from this committee.
“We have listened to many local vendors and we have taken those concerns to town council,” said Chairperson Cindy Clark. “Council has listened to the existing mobile vendors and they have taken our recommendations forward.”

Photo Caption: Joanne Hodgson, Joanne Contenti, Brock Harrington, Barry Fullerton are sworn in as Directors for the DDCC by Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg on Thursday, March 22, at the Badlands Community Facility. mailphoto by Terri Huxley