Old Town Hall Association

First Sunday Musical Gathering

The Old Town Hall Open Mic concerts have a new name and a new host. After hosting the popular event for 10 years, Kim and Doug Moverley have passed the torch to Luanne Ashe and her trio, EclectiCeltic. Join Luanne and her musical friends for an afternoon of family fun and live music on the first Sunday of each month from October to May.

The concerts run from 2 PM to 5 PM. Refreshments are available.
Admission is $5 for adults.
Children under 12 and performing musicians get in free.

Singers, songwriters, bands and musicians should arrive early to sign up on the play list. Depending on turnout, each performer will get to play 2 or 3 tunes.

The first concert of the 2009-2010 season is on Sunday, October 4th.

Click here to see a larger calendar.

Another successful summer is behind us an now we look forward to spending the first Sunday of every month upstairs enjoying our "First Sunday Musical Gathering" (formerly Open Mic Series), with preformers from all over Norfolk County and beyond staging new work and honing their skills.

Joins us the first Sunday of the month starting in October, from 2pm-5pm upstairs in our almost aucoustically perfect Hall.  For more information please contact Barb at 443-0113.

2008 In Review 

By Barbara Tanner-Billings
Facility Manager, Old Town Hall

On The Stage
The Old Town Hall was privileged to host several theatrical pieces in 2008. These included Our Town, directed by Andy Blackwood, and An Enemy of the People, directed by Roger Brunning.  Who can forget A Tale of Two Fairies presented by the Town Kids?
Read more about drama at the Old Town Hall...

Community Programs
Yoga continues to be a very popular program at the Town Hall. Participants find the upper hall to be a wonderful venue in which to relax, refresh and rejuvenate. Instructor Petra Van Den Hurk has a loyal following and this class fills up quickly.  Sessions continue to run Thursday nights at 7pm until March. After that, classes will switch to Monday evenings.  Taoist Tai Chi has grown since its introduction to the Town Hall ...

June/08 Tween Dance
Read more about Community Programs at the Old Town Hall...

Partnerships
Pumpkinfest continues to use the Hall as its home base. The fall festival’s head office is hosted here, along with all the equipment, files, costumes and assorted fixtures that have been accumulated over the past 26 years!

The Waterford Chamber of Commerce moved its office into the Town Hall...
Read more about Partnerships...

The Art Gallery
Eight remarkable shows were hosted at the Old Town Hall during 2008. Some were hosted by individuals like Margaret Brock, Sherry Lloyd and Mary Murphy; others were collaborative efforts like the Canvas & Clay Show featuring watercolours by Carol Gerrett, Raku pottery...
Read more about the Old Town Hall Art Gallery...

        Visitors to the "Clowning Around" opening

Rentals
Rental inquiries are becoming much more common for the Old Town Hall as we find our niche in this highly competitive market.  Weddings, buck & doe parties, anniversary celebrations and family gathering are easily accommodated in this unique heritage facility.  The high ceilings and sweeping staircases...
Read more about Rentals at the Old Town Hall... 

Tourism & Economic Development Culinary Workshop 

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  OTHA Honoured With Ontario Trillium Foundation 25th Anniversary Great Grants Award

Waterford, November 2, 2007 – The Old Town Hall Association was honoured for the impact it has made in its community at the Ontario Trillium Foundation's (OTF) 25th Anniversary Great Grants Awards on November 1, 2007. Held at the MaRS Centre in Toronto, the evening highlighted the achievements of 25 not-for-profit organizations from the more than ten thousand groups that received OTF funding over the past 25 years. These organizations have exemplified excellence, innovation and leadership in their community and volunteer work.

“2007 marks the 25th anniversary of grantmaking for OTF and we are delighted to acknowledge the Old Town Hall Association’s contribution to improving the quality of life in its community,” said Helen Burstyn, Chair, OTF Board of Directors. (article continues below photo)

Facility Manager Barbara Tanner-Billings, OTHA President Brian Holden and Vice President Richard Lefler accept the 25th Anniversary Award from (far left) OTF Vice-Chair Hugh O’Neil and Ontario Minister of Culture Aileen Carroll and (far right) OTF Chair Helen Burstyn and OTF CEO L. Robin Cardozo.

In 1999, the Old Town Hall Association was created with a mission to restore the building. In 2000, OTF provided a grant of $20,000 to help with preliminary architectural studies and again in 2003 with an additional $75,000 to assist with restoration. Together with fundraising revenue secured by the local community and the Old Town Hall Association, the grant improved safety and accessibility to the building, specifically the upper auditorium and stage.

Significant work was accomplished with community help. Hundreds of volunteers assisted by raising funds and assisting with the renovations. Volunteers in the community continue to maintain the building and surrounding area.

“We are extremely honoured that the Ontario Trillium Foundation selected the Old Town Hall to receive this special award on its silver anniversary,” said Facility Manager Barbara Tanner-Billings. “OTF funding helped support the restoration and renovation of our Hall, and allowed us to make the building completely accessible for all our patrons. We salute the Foundation on 25 years of strengthening Ontario's communities and wish them continued success.”

Over 25 years, there are few not-for-profit organizations in the province that OTF has not touched and few communities where its support has not made a difference.

The Government of Ontario had the vision to create OTF 25 years ago; to support the Foundation’s growth over time; and to recognize its importance recently with an additional $20 million in annual funding that will enable the Foundation to do even more when it comes to building healthy and vibrant communities.
(The above article and photo were provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.)