2016 Town Hall Board Elected

WAITSBURG – Jim Romine was added as a board member of the Waitsburg Town Hall Association at the association’s annual meeting on Thur., Nov. 12. New officer positions will be decided at the board’s Dec. 10 meeting.

The board has been short one member since 2015 President Karen Mohney passed away last spring. Since then, Vice-president Ron Standring has served in her place. Both Rose Englebrite and Jim Romine put their names in the running for the empty volunteer board position.

“As so often happens, the new guy won out over the one who has served before but the fact they were both willing is greatly appreciated,” said Board Secretary Jim Davison.

Board members frequently perform custodial and maintenance work on the Town Hall building, but bring in experts when necessary – such as recent repairs on the heat pump which took a bite out of the association budget, Davison said.

The association’s big fundraiser is the annual Valentine’s Dinner, which will be discussed at the December meeting. Davison said the Celebration Days Brew Fest also helped bring in maintenance funds.

“Besides fundraisers and renters, we’ve been fortunate to have some folks make donations, since we are a nonprofit dedicated to keeping the facility open for use by community members for their events,” Davison said.

Several groups use the facility, including The American Legion and Auxiliary, the Waitsburg Alumni Association, and the Christian Women’s Connection.

A Sweet Onion Live model horse show was held in August and the Society for Creative Anachronism’s (a medieval living history group) Canton of Akornebir held its yearly feast event in Town Hall last weekend.

Two permanent office spaces, called Fireside rooms, off the hall’s foyer, have been renovated and are currently rented out to Resource Conservation and Development and New River Fellowship, which also rents the main hall for Sunday worship. The office spaces have added an additional revenue stream to the association.

Town Hall, which is set up with wireless internet, may be rented by groups and individuals for weddings, receptions and other gatherings. Base rental rates range from $55 to $250 and are dependent on the number of people attending the event. Additional fees may be incurred for kitchen use and cleaning. A damage deposit is also required.

The next big event at Town Hall will be Hometown Christmas on Dec. 5 and 6. Each year vendors set up shop in the hall wile local musicians provide entertainment and the Rainbow Girls provide hot chocolate and treats.

To rent Town Hall, call Jim Davison at (509-337-6110). Additional information may be found on the Waitsburg Town Hall Facebook page or by calling President Ron Standring at (509) 520-9350.