Long-time Kinette retires after years of service to community

By Rob Vogt – Local Press Writer
Vicki McLaughlin wanted to stay in Kinettes until a cure for cystic fibrosis was found.
That has not happened yet, but medicine is as close as it has been in a long time. A drug called Trikafta has given CF patients a new lease on life.
Still, after more than 30 years of service to the Kinettes and the community, McLaughlin retired, attending her final meeting on Jan. 9.
She attended her first meeting in 1989, the year the club started, and became a member in February of 1990.
Initially she and her husband Des were invited to attend. Des went to a Kinsmen meeting, while Vicki did not go to the Kinettes.
However, club members kept encouraging Vicki, never giving up.
She attended a meeting in August of 1989 where she heard they were planning a fashion show by Fern Norby.
McLaughlin had worked with Norby for years, and thought she could be a good bridge from the Kinettes to Norby.
“I could help with that then just stop,” McLaughlin thought back then.
So she went to that meeting, and did the fashion show.
That November, the Kinettes took over the Christmas craft fair from Ellis Norgard who had been doing it on his own.
“We’ve run it every year since,” McLaughlin said. “Except one, which we missed because of COVID.
“It’s our biggest project.”
So there was no looking back after that.
Since then, McLaughlin has been heavily involved in the Kinettes.
“I’ve done every position,” she said.
Those have included president multiple times; vice-president; treasurer; secretary; newsletter editor; and more.
She was also president through the two-plus years of the pandemic, and was honoured with a lifetime membership in April of 2010.
One thing that kept her in Kinettes was discovering a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease in which thick mucus accumulates in the lungs, digestive tract and other parts of the body. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis may include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, frequent chest infections and weight loss.
“I always said I’d quit when they got a cure for CF,” McLaughlin said. “That was my goal – two see a cure for CF.”
Trikafta is now the closest CF patients have been, including Claresholm native Dana Cummings who has participated in Kinette events and has spoken about the value of Trikafta.
Another major highlight for McLaughlin was when she and several Kinettes when up to High River to assist after the floods in 2013.
“We went up there many times,” she said. “It was heart breaking seeing people’s basements filled with silt and mud.”
People had to watch as their furniture was cut up because it was so soaked through, it was too heavy to get out of the basement.
“People’s homes were just sitting in their front yards,” McLaughlin said.
Along the way, the Kinettes have been involved in a lot of other causes, events, and initiatives.
One is the collection of food bank donations at the annual craft fair in November. The club did not want to charge admission, but wanted to help the community so this initiative is the result.
Another is the various talent shows, including Claresholm Idol, the club has put on.
They have also brought in hypnotist Wayne Lee; organized a Miss Teen Claresholm Pageant; supported the Southern Alberta Summer Games when it came to Claresholm in 2003 and 2015; put on the “Walk ‘n’ Roll” to raise funds for CF research; provided high school scholarships; created Kin Trail with the Kinsmen; been active in the Winterfest; and much, much more.
However, it has not always been serious business.
“We’ve had so many laughs over the years,” McLaughlin said.
Moreover, the club has seen hundreds of women come through its doors.
As she moves on, McLaughlin encourages people to join the Kinettes, for a variety of reasons.
It used to be the club was an entry into a social life in town, a way to meet people for those new to town.
“You meet people who are like family,” McLaughlin said. “You meet people who are friends forever.”
You also get to help your community, she continued.
“Kinettes is a good way to meet people with a common goal to help the community,” McLaughlin said.
The club raises funds it then provides to meet needs in the community.
“We’ve been able to contribute to many worthy causes over the years,” McLaughlin said.
“The things we’ve done, I would never have done if I hadn’t joined the Kinettes.”
Twice, the club was down to four members, so members are always welcome.
Anyone interested in more information on the Kinettes can e-mail claresholmkinettes@gmail.com, or attend one of their meetings.
The Kinettes meet the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the lodge room of the Claresholm Community Centre.
“It’s a great in to meet people when you move to town,” McLaughlin said. “They’re always looking for more members.”