SHEGUIANDAH—After the volunteers were feted, the Howland Seniors’ Hall had its official grand opening earlier this month, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Northeast Town mayor and three of the club’s longest serving members.
“On behalf of the Howland Seniors’ Club, I would like to welcome everyone here,” said Rick Gjos, one of the movers and shakers behind the new and improved hall, thanking the mayor, municipal staff and council for their help with the project. Mr. Gjos spent some time acknowledging the army of volunteers who had put many hours into both the building and associated fundraising.
“If it wasn’t for volunteer help and community donations, this building wouldn’t be here,” he said. “So far, there has been over 3,000 hours in volunteer work put into this place, with more to come. We thank everybody who had a part in it.”
Mr. Gjos introduced Glen Bowerman, Marie Stringer and Pearl Lewis. Mr. Bowerman’s late wife Kathleen held the title of secretary/treasurer for many years while Ms. Lewis currently has the treasurer’s books.
“They have all been Sheguiandah residents for many years and I hope they will enjoy the new hall as much as the old one,” Mr. Gjos said.
Ms. Lewis and her late husband Ron, in fact, had their wedding reception and their first dance as a married couple at the hall 63 years ago.
Mr. Gjos noted that the bathroom, hardwood and some light fixtures were saved and repurposed from the old building. The charter documents of the Sheguiandah branch of the International Order of Foresters, which made its home in the original hall, are also proudly on display in the new building as are artifacts attesting to the senior hockey success of the old Sheguiandah Bears team.
Mayor Al MacNevin thanked the seniors’ club, recalling the initial request for assistance from the town and watching the project flourish from there.
“It’s obvious this place is brighter, bigger and more open and a great place to host events,” the mayor said, explaining that the hall also holds an important place in the community as it is a place for residents to gather in case of emergency.
The Howland Seniors’ Hall is available for rent, with catering services and a stage area available, by calling the hall at 705-368-0136.
