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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-05-25, Page 12STILL RUNNING OUT TO FETCH THE PAPER? 401"fg4dvdtt Having a subscription to The Citizen saves you money Newsstand price - $1.25/week Subscription price - 72¢/week Save up to $2650 a year off newsstand price Yes - I want to save money. Enclosed is $36.00 for a 1 -year subscription Name Address Town Postal Code On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca Mail cheque & coupon to: P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0 PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017. Memorial Hall re -opens weeks ahead of Festival season A historical gathering On Friday afternoon Blyth Memorial Community Hall officially re -opened to the public and, as part of the special day, those in attendance were asked to gather in front of the hall so the historic moment in the building's history Continued from page 1 which involves the demolition of the former Blyth Public School and the construction of the Grant and Mildred Sparling Centre in its place on King Street — a centre that will house the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity. On Friday, Matthews remembered back to some of the earliest conversations she had with those involved in 14/19. She remembers being struck by the enthusiasm of Sparling and Smith and some of the village's other champions and immediately knowing that the project, and the village, was worth fighting for. Being a representative of the London area, Matthews said she is no stranger to Blyth and has attended the theatre for a number of years. Her family also owns a cottage in Huron County, so she is familiar with the community. She said that rural Ontario is changing at a rapid pace and the renewal and rejuvenation of Blyth is something that its residents should be proud of and celebrate. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent said he was proud to be a part of the ceremony on Friday and that the township is fully supportive of the project and has been since its inception. He welcomed those in attendance back to the hall and encouraged them to enjoy themselves. Huron County Warden Jim Ginn spoke to the role the arts play in the county's economy, saying that what's going on in Blyth and the Blyth Festival plays no small role in that at the county level. Blyth Legion President Ric could be captured with community members and supporters. The group involves Ontario Deputy -Premier Deb Matthews, Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt and many, many others. (Denny Scott photo) McBurney spoke on behalf of the Legion and the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, saying that the organizations were proud to be a part of what had gone on at the hall and that he was pleased to know that the hall will live on as a cenotaph. Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt said that the last few months have been surreal for him as he has experienced a lengthy period of silence in Memorial Hall for the first time in its history. "In the last eight months..." he said, "not a single actor has walked on those boards." That silence, however, will now make way for a period of rebirth and a new generation of theatre, he said. Smith spoke last, officially welcoming everyone back into the hall. He said that a project the size of Making it official The Celtic Blue Highlanders of Goderich helped seal the official re -opening of Memorial Hall in Blyth on Friday, piping those in attendance into the hall. (Denny Scott photo) 14/19 in Blyth truly takes a village to pull off. He thanked the Sparling family for its $1 million donation to the project and said that without champions such as the Sparlings, the project wouldn't have come close to being accomplished. He also acknowledged many of the other established Blyth families like the Elliotts and the Howsons for the role they have played in the renovation of the hall and the evolving project. After Smith officially opened the hall, the Celtic Blue Highlanders piped those in attendance into building, which was then opened for self -guided tours until 7 p.m. For more information on the hall or on the Festival's coming season, visit www.blythfestival.com. For more information on Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative 14/19, visit www.blyth1419.com.