SHEGUIANDAH—The Howland Seniors’ Hall organizing committee celebrated the many donors and volunteers who helped make their new facility a reality with a delicious sit down dinner in the hall on May 28.
Gail Gjos welcomed the honoured guests on behalf of the committee. “I asked them what they thought and they clapped,” she said. “I told them ‘thanks to you this is all possible’.”
The assembled guests were treated to a roast pork dinner with plenty of trimmings. “This has got to be the most delicious pork roast I have ever eaten,” enthused Little Current Lions Club President Steve Nunn. “I might try to sneak up for seconds,” he joked.
The new hall is up and fully running now and available for bookings, but June 7 was reserved for a very special event: the grand opening ceremonies. “This is just a thank you dinner,” said organizing committee member Rick Gjos. “We just wanted to say thank you to everyone who made this possible.”
Mr. Gjos noted that there was a virtual army of volunteers who came out to work on the building, which required much more extensive work than was first envisioned when the committee began the project.
Although the building sports an expanded main hall, a stage, green room and many upgrades from the previous venerable structure, there is still plenty that needs to be done to keep the operation in place.
“You wouldn’t believe how much it costs to run this place,” said Ms. Gjos. The severe winter that just passed was not much help in that regard. “We had to fill the propane tank again this spring,” agreed Mr. Gjos. “That really increased our billing.”
The hall not only serves many community groups as a home base, such as Ticklebone Theatre, but also serves as an emergency ‘shelter’ for local residents to gather during long power outages and other catastrophes.
Like all small community halls, the Howland Seniors’ Hall holds many fundraising events to supplement the very reasonable hall rental rates they charge community groups for the use of the hall, which acts as a central resource for the community.
On June 12 a bake sale will take place and on July 16 there will be two settings (5 pm and 6:30 pm) of a cold turkey supper and strawberry social. Those looking for tickets for the supper are encouraged to not take any chances and get in touch with Pearl Lewis for tickets by calling 705-368-2689.
The popular afternoon musical concerts are set to resume as well, with Roy Robertson taking the stage from 1 pm to 4 pm on Thursday, July 17.
