The Norwich Grange spring progress report... Includes photos of the back of the building demolition which was done today
Getting one step closer to completion but still more to be done
Good morning Norwich,
I am sharing the latest progress report with you and the breaking news is that the rear of the building demolition was done this morning: Here are a few photos that are courtesy of Emily Myers and I did catch the tail end of the demolition and took a photo as well.
With the dump truck at the ready demolition begins early this morning
As you can see this won’t take long
Almost gone
And just the final pick up of a few pieces of the old foundation
Here is their report
Spring Progress Report
Construction Update
We are excited to report some real visual progress on the Grange Hall. So much of the work to date has been structural, plumbing or electrical that it’s been hard to get a feel for what the interior of the building will actually look like. But now the kitchen has windows and sheet rock installed and the beadboard is taking shape in the main room, the space is already looking brighter and welcoming! Thanks to Ann Sargent’s interior design help we are in the final process of choosing colors for both upstairs and down. We also got a lucky break when a neighbor’s tree came down and didn’t take out the fence or hit the building. AND, we expect to demo the rear addition in the next few weeks! Phew!
Ceiling Beadboard and kitchen sheetrock and windows
Heat pumps and a lucky break!
Fundraising is almost done!
On May 7, we hosted a gathering for supporters and friends of the Grange. The event was an opportunity to get a first-hand glimpse at the construction and celebrate all the work that has been accomplished.
The event included remarks from Ben Doyle, President of the Preservation Trust of Vermont. He spoke of the tremendous progress and achievements of the Norwich Grange Hall, the power of these community spaces, and the example Norwich is setting for future projects around the state.
We also shared some significant fundraising updates. We received an exciting $100,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor! We need to raise $100,000 to unlock this gift, and we have already received two grants from the Norwich Women’s Club totaling nearly $25,000. After these generous donations, the amount left for us to raise is only $75,000! We have come so far in such a short period of time, and it is thanks to the incredible generosity of the Norwich Grange community.
Donate
Grant Status
Since our last newsletter, we have received grant support from the following sources:
Lucy Downing Nisbet Charitable Fund, Bank of America, N.A, Co-Trustee (supporting the construction project)
Norwich Women’s Club (supporting phase 3 of the project)
Thanks to these funders for their belief in our community-based project!
Community Events
Pancake Breakfast - May 9
We had one of our biggest turnouts at our most recent pancake breakfast, with much catching up amongst neighbors and friends, and lots of good cheer!
Grange members Linda Harvey and Robert Parker and a roomful of community spirit.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Last Day of School Lemonade
Tuesday, June 16
Stop by the Grange right after school, from 12:00 - 1:00, on your way to the library for ice cream.
For future events please see our Events calendar on the website:
Norwich Grange Hall Events Schedule
To support the ongoing restoration of the Grange Hall please click below:
Norwich Community Collaborative Board
Jess Phelps - President, Emily Myers - Vice President, Maggie Boone, Sarah Callaway, Betsy Eccles, Carolyn Frye, Michael Goodrich, Olive Isaacs, Alix Manny, Robert Parker, Lucy Rojansky, Sarah Rooker - Treasurer, Wendy Thompson - Secretary, Andy Williams
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Last photo. Of fallen tree. That was NOT a “lucky break” for the resident of that house whose deck was totaled by the micro burst that took the tree.
Thanks Demo!