Connecting Albert County - Culture and Heritage - Connecting Albert County

Harvey Hall is Active and Busy This Fall

29/9/2023

Submitted by Debbie James

Through the hard work of the board members, directors and wonderful volunteers, the Harvey Hall is remaining an active Event Location in Albert County. So many acts and activities are being hosted there and, although we have moved into the fall season, it does not seem to be letting up anytime soon. Please get out and support these events at the Harvey Hall. Have a look at the amazing improvements that have been made to the hall and the results of the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who have worked so hard to have this as an active location in our communities.

Tickets on Sale for Upcoming Events at the Harvey Hall

30/4/2023

We now have an automatic deposit set up for e-transfers for advance ticket sales. Please be sure to mention the show name and date in your e-transfer message: HarveyHall1884@gmail.com

With thanks from the entire Harvey Hall board for your support for this amazing line up, the Programming and Events Committee is delighted to showcase this season's performance schedule and ticket prices now available for purchase:

Symphony NB	May 10	7 pm	$40
The Gilberts	May 19	7 pm	$30
David Myles	June 10	7 pm	$40
Before the Mast	July 8	7 pm	$30
Isaac & Blewett & friends	July 22	7 pm	$30

Harvey Hall Yard Sale Recap

30/4/2023

by Debbie James

On the cool and crisp morning of April 15 at 8am, the Harvey Hall hosted the first annual Indoor Yard Sale! While having the purpose of raising funds for the Hall's continued work, there were also other great results. Volunteers worked with Board Members to host the event, people of the community gathered to chat, newcomers were welcomed to the area and Harvey Hall worked in conjunction with another organization to help it raise funds as well. All this equals a greater sense of community for our area.

Harvey School at the Harvey Community Hall

6/2/2023

by Jane Chrysostom

As one travels along Routes 114 and 915 throughout Fundy Albert on an early weekday morning, you'll likely see youths of different ages standing along the side of the road, heads bowed scrolling social media or using a device, idly chatting, or sitting in a warming vehicle until the school bus arrives to deliver them to Caledonia Regional High School in Hillsborough or Riverside Consolidated School in Riverside-Albert. None walked uphill in three feet of snow wearing their father's thin-soled-newspaper-lined loafers to reach their education destination.
Yes, yes we've all heard similar versions of exaggerated tales of bygone school days. But there are some compelling school-day anecdotes of local history that have been more accurately told - and should be shared - to give an appreciation of different generations and to preserve their stories and memories.
Archives reveal a 1964 interview with Mr. & Mrs. Morris who described the Harvey School as a two room school with a classroom in between which was used for strapping* bad children. I never got in there myself. *Strapping was a form of punishment using a leather strap or belt to strike hands or backsides.

Welcome Back to Harvey Hall

28/11/2022

by Don Bowman

Saturday, November 19th, 2022 was a special day for Harvey Hall. It was the last in a series of community volunteer efforts to help to restore Harvey Hall to a heart of events held in Albert County.

November 19th, 2022 was the last call for volunteer help and saw the completion of the usable emergency exit door that includes a railway tie stairway, new lights for the interior, and clean-up of debris, setup of chairs, stage, and final beautification, all to welcome guests and music back to the hall.

The efforts by countless volunteers over the last few months are why the hall was opened on November 26th, 2022 for the first time in many years to welcome the performance of Duane Andrews and The Hot Club of Conception Bay featuring Jim Blewett, Tim Isaac and Erin Power. The fine acoustics of Harvey Hall complemented Duane’s newest album that features Django Reinhardt’s jazz classics.

The music filled the hall and was felt by all who attended. This was an amazing way to reopen Harvey Hall sharing the talents of these fine artists. If you missed this, keep an eye open for events like this one that will be scheduled in 2023.
Although the project has brought the hall back to the ability to be used for shows like this, the spring of 2023 will be the start of another call to help with the continued effort to restore this magnificent building, making it a travel destination not only for the beauty of Mary’s Point, but also an Albert County treasure again.

Thank you again for another learning experience and some amazing home-cooked food.

Final Albert County Crew of 2022 Included:
Steve Chrysostom - Alma
Stephen Marshall - Harvey
Jane Chrysostom - Alma
Don Wilbur - New Horton
Melissa Wilbur - New Horton
John Ereaux - Alma
Debbie James - Lower Cape
Sharon Campbell - Waterside
Jeremy Wilbur - New Horton
Peter Brzezicki - Riverside-Albert
Daphne Leblanc - Harvey Bank
Don Bowman - Hillsborough
Desi LeBlanc - Harvey Bank

Harvey Hall Haulers

5/11/2022

by Jane Chrysostom

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch!” Well, that’s partly true, but the exchange for a free lunch and breakfast on a gloomy start to a Saturday at the Harvey Hall was so worth it! More than two dozen Albert County folks arrived at the Harvey Hall as the morning skies slowly lifted wet gray clouds in early October on Mary’s Point Road in Harvey.

While the 55-cup coffee pot perked, the mouse-blown cups and saucers, counters and utensils had to be sanitized, washed and dried for the morning greet and goodies with tea and coffee. Not an easy task since there’s currently no running water or drain, so volunteers rallied camping-style and boiled jug water to do serious housekeeping! As the lunch pots simmered, men and women from all over Albert County arrived throughout the day to lend support and strong backs under the direction of Riverside-Albert’s Peter Brzezcki.

Recruiting Volunteers for The Harvey Hall Restoration

29/9/2022

by Jane Chrysostom

The success of the Harvey Hall is gaining momentum! If you’ve been following the Harvey Hall Facebook page or have seen recent activity – what IS that huge pile of railroad ties for? – at and around the hall, you’ve been witness to on-going progress!

With the currently small but dedicated team of volunteer board members, advisors and interested and willing helpers, there is MOMENTUM in effort! And it’s gaining! So far, two funding grants have recently been awarded for tens of thousands of dollars for major restoration projects, work teams have gathered to plan, engineer, and facilitate their implementation, fundraising efforts big and small have generated interest and enjoyment for those undertaking and participating in them. Also, just as importantly, we’ve welcomed several newcomers to the group who have diverse skills, interests, talents, and ambition to help bring the Harvey Hall back to its glory.

The Tartan

26/9/2021

Image by Tracy Munson Photography

Story by Jane Chrysostom

It all started with an exercise for branding potential promotional materials for the Harvey Hall. Working on bold graphic designs, capturing the essence of the Hall’s character and architecture, considering its surroundings and purpose, and‒ especially important for eye-catching attraction ‒choosing colours. That was the work to be done.

Harvey Hall quilt raffle

20/8/2021

Article by Ethel Duffy

The Harvey Hall quilt raffle was finalized August 1, 2021. The winning ticket (sold by Crooked Creek Convenience) was drawn during the Love Your Covered Bridge celebration by guest speaker Dan Tingley. The winner was Janet Smith from Albert Mines (shown in picture).

We wish to give a big thank-you to all who sold tickets, bought tickets and supported this fundraising effort. A total of $1200 was raised for the Harvey Hall restoration fund.

HURRR!! at Harvey Hall

27/7/2021

By Jane Chrysostom

Laughter, challenges, purpose…that sums up the volunteer efforts that surrounded the creation of the Harvey Hall Sea Shanty. Starting from a mere suggestion in casual conversation to a final professional digital video production, its evolution was a thoroughly fulfilling and successful effort.

Harvey Hall Update

26/5/2021

By Ethel Duffy Ries

The AGM of the Harvey Community Hall was held at the Riverside-Albert Recreation Centre on Thursday, May 6th and the progress of the board was reviewed. The focus of the board is to maintain and ultimately restore this historic structure for community use.

Historic Harvey Hall To Be Restored

21/2/2021

Image by Tracy Munson Photography

Shared community spaces are integral to Albert County’s charm
By Madeline Taylor

During a year where most have spent the majority of their time at home, one begins to consider what makes home really special. A favourite chair. A window with a view. A cozy wood stove.

What about when the definition of “home” goes beyond four walls? A place might come to mind. The place where you grew up or chose to build a life. A city. A small town. A collection of hamlets and villages. Maybe somewhere like Albert County.

What makes Albert County a special place to call home? For some, it could be the natural, rugged beauty. The rolling hills left over from days past when mountains towered over the eastern coast of our continent, or the tides that lend a constant rhythm to our days. Others might say it’s the people that make Albert County so special. Friendly waves exchanged between drivers passing by. A shared meal between neighbours. True and genuine interest in the well-being of those who share your small corner of the world. A sense of com- munity that is unrivaled and truly missed when finding yourself far from home.

Fun = Fundraising for Tele-Drive

26/4/2016

In the Men's Fashion Show, James Lyman models the age old question: boxers or briefs?

On two Saturday nights in April, people in Albert County were treated to a fun night of songs, skits and even a Men’s Fashion Show. The Tele-Drive Variety Shows were held in Curryville and Harvey, and raised almost $1500 for the registered charity. In Harvey Hall, there was standing room only with an amazing turnout of 153 people.