Loading...
Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-15, Page 25Wednesday, May 15, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 25 More than 75 people take trip down memory lane at Hensall town hall open house Friends of the Town Hall committee preparing to apply for grants to restore town hall for its 100th birthday Susan Hund©rtmark OMI Agency Looking around the upper floor of the former 1 lensall town hall, the memories conte flood- ing hack for sisters Kathie 1 lend- erson Neilands, born, raised and still living in 1 lensall and Sylvia 1 Ienderson-1'ackham, now of (oderich. "We used to have school con - („ pert' - 1 used to win prizes �, ►)r singing,” said Kathie gesturing towards the stage. She also used to shop at the old town hall for shoes and dresses at the annual Kinettes' rummage sale. "'1 hey used to hold Halloween and Christmas parties here for the kids the boys used to throw hard candy from the balcony at the girls,' smiled Sylvia, also remembering watching The Greatest Show on Earth and Bugs (tunny during movie nights in the late 1950s and early 1960s. "I tvas also a brick in the pro- duction of the 'lhree Little Pigs in (rade 1 or 2. The bricks all had to fall down when the wolf huffed and puffed," said Sylvia, thinking hack about the blue velvet cur- tains with the gold tassels that used to grace the stage. "It really is beautiful in here - I'm glad they're restoring it," said Kathie. The sisters were two of more than 75 people to take advantage of last Sunday's open house at the Ilenst1l1 town hall, which community members are plan- ning to renovate back to its former glory in time for its 100th birthday next year. While tables were filled with old newspapers, scrapbooks, postcard displays and old photos for visitors to peruse and remi- nisce, Wayne Reid, of the Friends of the Town Hall committee, said he was also hoping to generate more excitement and perhaps, funding, for the project. "We're in the process of apply- ing for grants and getting archi- tect's drawings (lone and a bunch of us thought it (night be fun to offer an open house for informa- tion and education," he Said. "'1 his is a chance for people who haven't been up Isere for years to come in and look around:" As the only hall in 1 lensall until the town arena was built, Reid said the 1 lensall town hall used to be used by everyone from schools to Scouts to community groups. Once it is renovated, Reid said it could have many uses again, one of which he hopes will be an archive for 1 lensall and whatever memorabilia local resi- dents have collected over the years. "'There is no other place to put things like school pictures, pho- tos and postcards. Mostly, they're down in my basement right now," said the self-appointed 1 lensall historian. Built in 1914 for $7,000, the town hall's main floor was fixed up 10 years ago to house the Hannah Krebs, of Hensall, studies the names of cast members of dramatic productions held decades ago on the stage of the old Hensall town hall that were engraved into the wall behind the stage. public library in I lensall and that work by the local Kinsmen rein- forced the second storey floor slaking its use by the public a possibility once more. "That committee's forward thinking is allowing us to (lo this work today," said Inge Mowat, another number of the Friends of Town 1 lall committee. Mowat said the second storey hall is in remarkably good shape, pointing to tin ceiling tiles that only need to be cleaned and per- haps painted to shine again. She said that while a second staircase leading upstairs was removed during the library renovations, minor modifications can be made to restore the second staircase. "It's so exciting that there's so much enthusiasm for this project. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm adore AOv•o a58 Ontario St. S, Grand Bend PH: 819-238-383 fisunmedla.oe OFFJCE 1O I S; Mon. & Fri. Ham - 4pm Thurs. & Fri. gum - 4pm CLOSED TUESDAYS Susan Hundertmark Lillian Beer and Mary Forrest, both of Hensall, reminisce as they look over old newspaper clippings from the village. I lensall kind of lost its identity through amalgamation hut this is a way of restor- ing our identity," she said. She pointed to the engraved lists of cast numbers on the wall at the back of the stage, who performed in drama pro- ductions such as Aunt Tillie Comes to Town and (Jere Gomes Charlie on the 1 lensall town hall stage, saying that those names would all be preserved during any restoration work. Reid said that while fundraising hasn't yet begun, the committee will be applying for a federal legacy grant in 201.1 that is awarded to historic buildings cel- ebrating either a 100th ou I 50th anniversary. "We don't watt to put any pressure on potential (10not:s today but everyone who is here is enthusiastic they made a point to cone' here' he said. "It's fun to have the old folks here rem- iniscing hitt I lensall is also a magnet for young families. "his is their opportunity to create their own memories here," added Mowat. Arbortech/Taylor Professional Tree Care Inc. Within this past year Arbortech Professional Tree Care and Taylor Tree Service became one company. Both businesses have operated in the area since the early 1990's, ruri by people who have been in the trade for over 30 years. We employ well-educated, informed and friendly Certified Arborists, apprenticing Arborists and Certified Horticulturists. These professionals come with a great work ethic and attention to quality and detail. Here's What We Can Safely & Professionally Do For You: • Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Hedges • Tree Removal • Stump Removal • Cabling and Bracing of Weak Trunks and Limbs • Qualified Electrical Utility Line Clearing • Fertilization of Trees, Shrubs and Hedges • Disease and Insect Management • Emerald Ash Borer Control • Brush Chipping • Lot Clearing • Storm Damage Repair • Spotless Cleanup BUCKET TRUCKS TO 60' • TRAINED TREE CLIMBERS CRANE TRUCK • STUMP GRINDERS • CHIPPERS YEAR ROUND SERVICE Grand Bend: 519-238-5451 Strathroy: 519-245-1019 VISA BBB