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July 3, 2008

Whallonsburg Grange revival planned

Reinvigoration of venerable Whallonsburg site eyed

By ALVIN REINER

WHALLONSBURG -- The Friends of the Whallonsburg Grange Hall has been organized to once again bring life back to the venerable structure.

Group members want to make it a center of activity for Whallonsburg and Essex. Among the activities they hope will be presented at the building are concerts, movies, stage presentations, square dances, craft fairs, workshops, lectures, weddings and parties.

The Whallonsburg Grange transferred ownership of the hall to the Town of Essex for $1, with the provision that the town utilize it to continue with the grange's mission of providing entertainment and education for the community.

Essex, in turn, asked the Whallonsburg Civic Association to become the overseer.

The Whallonsburg Grange has been in existence since 1903, though it had not always met at the hall. In the 1930s, to accommodate the construction of Route 22, the building was jacked up and rotated to fit the new lot dimensions.

The Friends of the Whallonsburg Grange Hall is seeking agreements with cultural, civic and political organizations that are looking for a regular place to hold meetings and other activities.

During a recent cleanup and potuck dinner at the hall, many treasures were uncovered, especially above the false ceiling. Panels used in vaudeville and other performances in the 1920s were discovered.

Other items of interest included old bingo equipment and folding tables laden with advertisements of local businesses of a half-century ago.

At one time, election-night dinners were held there, but when the building was used as a polling location, the dinners had to cease to conform to election codes.

Recently, several groups, including the Champlain Valley Film Society and the Boquet River Theater, have used the building.

Rita Fitzgerald got the ball rolling in 1999 when she "wanted to do something in our hamlet."

She talked with Harold McDougal at the old fire house and got a group going. Articles of incorporation were drawn up in 2000. They attempted to get grant money and held fundraisers, such as flea markets, for a few years.

"The town has been very generous as they have picked up the heat and electric," said Whallonsburg Civic Association board member Ted Cornell.

He estimates it will take between $75,000 to $100,000 to renovate the building, which includes removing the false ceiling and getting the kitchen facilities up to code.

One does not have to be a resident of Whallonsburg or Essex to become a member.

For additional information, to join or to help, call Fitzgerald at 963-7216 or Cornell at 962-4386.

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