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The Citizen, 2017-12-21, Page 38PAGE 38. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017. Final Memorial Hall bill reaches X4.3 million By Denny Scott The Citizen With the final expenses being tallied, the complete renovation of Blyth Memorial Community Hall cost $4.3 million. Director of Recreation and Facilities Pat Newson reported during council's Dec. 18 meeting that the total costs thus far are at $4,165,427.79 and that additional projects at the site, a deposit and a capital fund to cover future upgrades will add an additional $159,427.79. Newson said that, between provincial and federal grants, moneys raised by Blyth Arts and Culture Initiative 14/19 Inc. through projects and donations, the entire cost of the project was covered. The remaining issues not covered under the project's warranties include theatre equipment, carpentry work, additional signage, house lights and operating equipment and marketing expenses. Newson reported that the committee responsible for the renovation has been disbanded and in the near future 14/19 Inc. will be bringing terms of reference to North Huron to set up a new committee to make sure the facility is used by the community to its full potential. The $5,000 security deposit will be held by the municipality in case 14/19 Inc. faces bankruptcy to cover facility costs such as utility bills. 14/19 Inc. Administrator Karen Stewart requested that North Huron increase the amount of money set aside for marketing for the project from $15,000 to $25,000 to show support for a Rural Economic Development Grant 14/19 Inc. was applying for. Stewart explained that the $25,000 would be paired with funding available through 14/19 Inc. and the entire amount would be leveraged for a nearly $100,000 grant total which would allow a marketing person to be hired for the hall and events going forward. The additional $10,000 would be allocated from within the project, meaning no extra funds would be needed from the municipality. Council approved the reallocation of funds, with Councillors Bill Knott and Trevor Seip expressing support for any move to try and address Memorial Hall's approximate $45,000 operational debt by bringing in more users. Knott said that, with two full fall Found it! Maitland River Elementary School students worked hard to get parents and friends into the Christmas spirit last week with their annual holiday concert. Here, the Grade 2 students told the story of Santa losing (and eventually finding) his suit with the help of Rudolph. From left: Alex Snell, Nowah Dunsby and Micheal MacTavish. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Baking central to Auburn holiday Continued from page 22 share them to respect Klaus' mother's wishes. "We have recipes from both sides of the family now, so it's really an all-encompassing tradition," she said. While cookies have been a long- time tradition for her family, Rhea said her family didn't really figure it out completely until her mother's generation. "My grandmother was a dreadful cook," she said with a laugh. "She was a 1930s cook, so she used what she could and learned that way. If she could use lard instead of butter, she would, if she could use one-third the sugar, she would and if she could use white sugar instead of brown, she would. Then she was puzzled and didn't understand why we didn't like her cookies." Fortunately for Rhea (and her family) her own mother didn't make those kinds of substitutions and neither does Rhea. This year has marked a new addition to the cooking tradition: Rhea's two-year-old grandson Andrew helped out on cookie - making day. "Opa kept him busy for the morning, and nap time was a solid two hours so by the time wee Andrew woke up both his mother and his Nana had the bulk of the cookies done," Rhea said. `Andrew can deal out the flower with a flourish and knows when to push the cookie cutters deep into the dough. Of course, the highlight at the end of his day was a plate of cookies with his glass of milk." Aside from the cookies, Rhea spends a good amount of time cooking meals around the holiday season, including a ham dinner at Christmas, a roast beef at New Year's and whatever cooked vegetable recipes she has wanted to try with them both. She said that turkey is absent from her holiday celebrations for a reason. "I cooked turkeys for years and years and I don't like turkey," she said. "I like chicken." She explained that turkey is accompanied by a carcass and leftovers and is more of a hassle than it's worth and refuses to make it, even at Thanksgiving. The New Year's Eve meal is for Rhea and Klaus' son Peter who visits with his family from Quebec. "He, his wife and our oldest grandsone celebrate Christmas at New Year's with us," Rhea said. "We have a whole new menu between New Year's and Christmas Eve." On Christmas Day, Rhea and Klaus visit both their mothers at the nursing homes, marking a visit with each member of their immediate family. AGRICULTURAL 519-524-0253 RESIDENTIAL seasons lost due to the renovations, 14/19 Inc. has a tough road ahead of it in trying to recapture promoters selling shows and that the municipality should support the move to help with that. Kelly, Carla, Katie, Laura, Janice, Damian, Kaitlyn and Ruth wish you a relaxing holiday! 406 Mill Street (corner of Dinsley & Mill), Blyth 519-523-4793 • www.spaessentialsblyth.com Please accept this Toad of good cheer, along with our thanks for your business this year! Y I �yatpat holiday! (yreirdittord Commode, Brussels, Ontario 519-887-6122 1-800-667-8399 •• ,;��������, to those far •. se•ei► I and near •..••••1• • • . rivy4i1�i6tn2 -- 1 toall&a McGavin's staff & management would like to thank our suppliers, customers, friends and neighbours for their support over the year and look forward to a prosperous 2018. IVIcOovin FARM EQUIPMENT a_To_ I WALTON, ONTARIO 519-887-6365 • www.mcgavinequip.com Holiday Hours: Closed December 25 & 26, 2017 & January 1, 2018