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Huron Expositor, 2007-04-18, Page 7The Huron Expositor • April 18, 2007 Page 7 News Brodhagen Community Centre celebrating 50th Hilary Long SABONEED Almost 50 years has passed since five acres of land was bought in Brodhagen and this year the Brodhagen Chamber of Commerce is planning to celebrate the mile- stone. Current Secretary Diana Rapien said a 'Mom to Mom' sale is being planned for the spring, July 14 will see a larger than normal barbeque, an evening dance with music by Les Smith and kiddie land rides, and a fall car rally. And more plans are in the works. Although many of the events the Brodhagen Community Centre, or simply the Hall, has held over its 50 -year history have faded away, the need for the hall is still there. "It's still a necessary part of the community," she said. Today the chamber has about 40 members, both men and women. The hall is still rented for anniver- saries, horseshoes are still being tossed and euchre games are still being played. "We're still holding our own," said Rapien, "we're holding true to the sense of community service the chamber was founded on." Russel Sholdice was the man who got the whole thing started 50 years ago. "We need something in this com- munity," he recalled at the 25th anniversary celebration of the building in 1984. "We needed some project for the people. I was so inspired when I heard a guest speaker from the Chamber of Commerce address our Lion's Club in Mitchell." Sholdice, operator of the Brodhagen General Store at the time, then talked to three other businessmen in the village - Ford Dickison, who at the time had begun to expand his hardware store business into small manufacturing; barber William Riehl and Wilfred Ahrens, who ran the tire and bat- tery store and garage. "That was the spark that got things started," said Sholdice. The four men organized a supper meeting at St. Peter's Lutheran Church an April 9, 1957. Thomas Flood, secretary of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce spoke to the* 36 men who attended. He divided them into groups of three and they listed on paper the needs of their community. A swim- ming pool, paved road, a bank, a hall for the Brodhagen Brass Band, playground and a park were all mentioned. Everyone gave top pri- ority to a baseball field. Before that supper meeting ended, the men decided to organize into a Chamber of Commerce. They elected five directors and four officers. Sholdice became the first president, Riehl the first vice, Dickison the second vice and Ahrens secretary. In organizing as a Chamber of Commerce, the rural -based Brodhagen group made a venturous step - for traditionally the Chamber of Commerce serves urban popula- tions that want to attract and pro- mote industry and business. The Brodhagen members were con- vinced of the benefits that came with chamber affiliations rather than with a service club. The chamber connection allowed more government grants, it exerted stronger impact in voicing commu- nity needs and it tied in to the well organized provincial and federal levels. However, the Brodhagen group kept to its original intention of community service. They were in a class by themselves. Less than three weeks after the first meeting in Brodhagen, a league softball team was organized. A committee was directed to find a suitable piece of land for a ball park and community centre. By the falt of that year the chamber bought five acres of land from Dalton Hinz, who farmed in the village. To help pay for the purchase of land at $200 an acre, the chamber sold raffle tickets on a 1958 Plymouth hardtop. The car was bought from members and garage businessman in the village, Ralph Hicks. On Jan. 3, 1958 a London man won the car, raffled off at a social evening at the Circle B near Sebringville. That spring the athletic field took shape. "Since we had so many farm- ers as members in no time we had a ball diamond laid out and the entire field worked up, seeded and fenced," said Sholdice, at the anniversary. The arrival of ball teams created other needs. "We found out the ball players needed water and a toilet." The chamber set to thinking about a booth and washroom facilities. "What we came up with was the largest booth in Canada - our pre- sent hall," laughed Sholdice. On a Saturday afternoon in October a meeting was held on the athletic field where members decid- ed to locate the building. A committee of five was appointed to buy building material. Local carpenter, George Diegel, drew up the building plans for the 40 -foot by 100 -foot, two-storey cement block hall. In the fall, exca- vation of the basement began and the walls started .to go up before the winter set in. Next spring, Diegel's son, William was hired as foreman of the con- struction. Most of the work was done by vol- unteers, from the cement work up. Even the women helped in the deco- ration and painting inside. Dances and yard sales helped raise more money. Each member signed a note for $250 as security on the money borrowed from the bank. The chamber received in gov- ernment grants $5,000 for the buildings construction and another $5,000 for a park. The hall became township proper- ty and chamber members acted as trustees. In building a community hall, the Chamber of Commerce pro- vided facilities unique for its day. It was unusual to fin& at the one loca- tion parking, kitchen facilities, banquet rooms, stage and dance floor. Many people came from miles around to rent the hall for wed- ding receptions, banquets and anniversaries. "People came Dublin-Mitchell-Seaforth Lions Club T.V. Auction 4/a,„1-, "I Gini The Dublin, Mitchell, Seaforth Lions Clubs would like to thank ... • The businesses & individuals who donated items to the T.V. Auction • The individuals who purchased items at the T.V. Auction. • Mitchell - Seaforth Cable T.V. You made our T.V. Auction a great success! from all over to see the set-up, then everyone started to get on the band- wagon," said Sholdice. During the chamber's 50 -year his- tory it has held events such as a winter carnival, a chicken barbecue, a turkey raffle and bingo, family Christmas parties,' ladies night, pork barbecues, pig tail and sauer- kraut suppers, blue grass festivals, cabaret dances, bingos, auction sales of used goods and New Year's dances. Only five years after the chamber was organized it received a plaque for the Dominion Chamber for its contribution to the community. Government grants have helped the hall to stay current, replace old roofing, furnaces and electrical sys- tems, and the addition of bath- rooms. ' With meetings each month, the members discuss ways to_ improve the community for the benefit of the community members in Brodhagen and surrounding areas. - With files from Stratford Beacon Herald, 1984 Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Sprit Jarvis St. Seaforth 519-527-1522 Rector The Rev'd Sue Malpus M Div Sunday, April 22 WORSHIP AT 9:30 AM KID -ZONE children's program at 9:30am Parish Council meets SM. Apr. 21 at 10:30am A.C.W. Soup & Salad Lunch Wed. Apr. 25 11:30 •1 Everyone Welcome St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am Fr. Chris Gillespie Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am Pastor Mark Kennedy EVERYONE WELCOME Egmondville United Church Pastor Steve Hildebrand Sunday, April 22 ' WORSHIP 11 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 10AM NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould Sunday April 22nd Worship at 11:OOam Sermon: 'Thinking Outside The Box" All Welcome Sunday School & Nursery During Worship First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday April 22 11:15 am service Sunday School & Nursery Provided. Potluck Supper 5:30pm & Fun Night