On the ball and rolling

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

It's cold and dark most evenings now, but step inside the doors of the Ardoise Community Hall on any given night and it's a different world.

The hall is warm and cheery, augmented by the brightly lit Christmas tree. Coffee’s brewing in the kitchen and cookies are on the table. Adding to the festive atmosphere was more than a dozen couples on the floor for some lively square dancing.

What a difference from a year ago when an emergency meeting was called in a desperate attempt to source new blood and keep the hall alive. The huge show of hands that afternoon was not in vain. Since then a full board has been formed and many have taken on the task of organizing programs.

New co-chair Andrew Harvie said it has been a productive time for the hall. “We basically spent the year getting things stabilized and making a solid base so we can move forward in the New Year,” he said.

However, that's not to say they don't need volunteers. Harvie would love to see a volunteer co-coordinator position created. “Basically,” he said, “we need a volunteer to organize the volunteers.”

But having people willing to step up to the plate and take charge of programming has shifted a major burden off of the board.

“We have a lot of people running the programs now and we thank them profusely,” said his wife Susan Harvie, who serves as treasurer. “This isn't about what the board does, it's about the community.”



Plenty on the go

Along with weekly square dancing there is yoga, TOPS, seniors’ games and bingo as well as flea markets and catered events. The local Citizens’ on Patrol uses the hall as their meeting base, too. Although many programs in the past were geared toward seniors who love getting out for an evening, the hall can reach out now to the entire community.

One of its great successes this year has been the free teen dance. “They've been such a huge hit,” Susan said. “It’s great because moms don't have to drive too far and, really, there needs to be something for youth around here.”

The hall was in pretty good physical shape to begin with, but efforts are ongoing to make further improvements. Adjustments to the heating system have made life much better for the yoga club, Andrew said, but they would like to bring the kitchen up to code.

“We can really only cater events right now. The food has to be cooked elsewhere and we can only hold about four suppers a year,” he said. They would also like to upgrade their wheelchair access and build a better stage for bands.



Options are limitless

Even better, since they have the people, their options are limitless. “We can keep the hall running, but we love people who have the initiative to own their ideas and make it happen.”

Andrew said they'd like to host music programs, darts and even old-fashioned Saturday night dances. “We're open to anything.”

Windsor resident Rollie Newcombe had his dancing shoes on that night and said the Square Dance Club makes for a nice excuse to get out of the house on winter evenings. “It's a lot of fun and much better exercise than I first thought,” he said.

That club has almost doubled in size over the past year, to the point where the group has hired instructor Bruce Savage, who has over 26 years of experience in teaching square dance. Savage said it started out just for fun, but it has quite a following.

“It's a great social activity,” he said. “Everything at the hall has grown, including this.”

The next big item on the hall’s agenda is the fundraising art sale with some major local talent behind it. “Put it this way; Sherman Hines has been very generous,” Andrew said with a smile. The sale is slated for Jan. 19 with a snow date of Jan. 20.

So far they've collected some limited edition Sherman Hines prints and books. Well-known local artist David Howell's prints have also been donated along with many other original works. Andrew dabbles in exotic apple woodcarvings and hopes to sell a beautifully fashioned table and unique bowls.

Even though the Harvies have lived in the area for the past seven years, getting involved with the hall has made them feel as though they are now an integral part of the community.

“I love it,” Andrew said of his position as co-chair. “This is what it's all about around here; this hall is what keeps the community together. It’s where we congregate, share stories and gossip together.”

And he said without the hall, the community would wither. “We don't have a fire hall or even a church here. There’s no other gathering place so we need to hold on to what we do have.”

For information about booking the hall or to find out how you can become involved, contact Christine Carmichael at 757-3857. Everyone is welcome to join programs or just drop in for an evening activity. Check the Community Events calendar in The Hants Journal to see what’s happening at the hall each week and plan to attend the art sale in the new year and support this local treasure.