Pine Plains Memorial Hall Groundbreaking Community Day
Jamie Larson reports from Pine Plains. The Pine Plains Memorial Hall was once a huge part of the town's history. On Saturday, May 20, a day full of activities brought the community out to celebrate the groundbreaking of the long awaited restoration of the vacant town icon. The original Memorial Hall was constructed in 1915, but today the big brick building, its tall windows, crown of dormers and the grand theater inside are, admittedly, in rough shape. The mission of the renewal effort is to bring together the community and foster economic development in Northern Dutchess County and surrounding areas. With this restoration, the hall will be a vital part of the town's future; plans are to make it a regional center for community-based civic and social programs, agriculture and arts education, cultural performances and a starting point for local charitable organizations. Now in its second year of a five-year planning, capital fundraising and construction cycle, there's enough money to begin the first phase of the project. The man who got the ball rolling, PPMH President Jack Banning, said they're excited for the innumerable possibilities for the venue. "The trick is that this can be done without taking ourselves too seriously," Banning said, pictured at left with board secretary Hollis Bart.
The large assembled crowd cheered, "We dig Pine Plains!" as they ceremoniously shoveled out chunks of the Memorial Hall's front lawn.
PPMH renovation architect Doug Larson and PPMH Executive Director Brian Keeler; Donn Potter, PPMH board member Claire Copley and advisory committee member Alan Eisenberg.
Head event coordinators for the Community Day, Chris Hedges and Jennifer Updike (fresh out of the dunk tank); Joan and Dick Dunham with PPMH volunteer communications representative and principal at VKLarson Communications Victoria Larson.
The atmosphere during the groundbreaking was decidedly jubilant, even after a full day of festivities.
Retired local farmer Barney Chase, attorney Charles M. Napoli with Judy and Tom Allen; Gallatin, New York Town Supervisor John Reilly emerges from the dunk tank.
Andres Vialpando and Anthony Silvia of Anthony Silvia Signs; Ann Simmons of the Little Nine Partners Historical Society with Brett McCormack and Josh Nathanson of Gathering Greens, which opened at the Grange Hall Monday.
The present condition and future vision for theater space in the PPMH.
Volunteer Gully Stanford and Louis Loeb; Ken and Ruth Noskin with their dog Rasa.
The current condition of the side of the hall, surrounded by partygoers; the future of the same view represented in model form.
Debra Bartlett and Gabriela Montenegro behind their booth for doTerra Wellness Advocate; Peter and Brittany Destler representing their family's shop, A New Leaf Used Books.
Please Support Rural Intelligence
We want to continue delivering the entertaining, informative and upbeat stories in the inimitable Rural Intelligence style, despite a pandemic. But we need your support to keep us going. Please consider making a donation; even a small amount helps secure our future. Support us now.
(If you prefer, mail a check to: 45 Pine Grove Ave., Suite 303, Kingston, NY 12401.)
Support Now