Image of a community event at Harvey Hall, a beautiful local community hall and event centre.
Article and Images Submitted by Jane Chrysostom, Cleveland Place, Alma
Well over a hundred people of all ages gathered. One, not yet three years old, toddled in. Another, at nearly ninety-three years old, strolled in unassisted. An eighty-year-old man led many on an energetic bicycle ride around the area. Food and drink, friendship, laughter, and memories flowed freely as the afternoon light faded and evening arrived. Music swelled, squeezing through cracks in the old walls and seeping through the wavy window panes. Outside, on benches and in little groups, the overflow crowd talked, laughed, and listened, with the surrounding marsh as a quiet backdrop.
It wasn’t a concert. It wasn’t a fundraiser. It was a sensation!
Well over a hundred people of all ages gathered. One, not yet three years old, toddled in. Another, at nearly ninety-three years old, strolled in unassisted. An eighty-year-old man led many on an energetic bicycle ride around the area. Food and drink, friendship, laughter, and memories flowed freely as the afternoon light faded and evening arrived. Music swelled, squeezing through cracks in the old walls and seeping through the wavy window panes. Outside, on benches and in little groups, the overflow crowd talked, laughed, and listened, with the surrounding marsh as a quiet backdrop.
It wasn’t a concert. It wasn’t a fundraiser. It was a sensation!
Yet again, the Harvey Hall was the scene of an enthusiastic community event. Children dashed about seeking the tastiest finger foods; instruments were brought out for playing music together; photos, newspaper articles, and decorations displayed and recalled accomplishments and milestones. Old-timers recalled old times, and friends became reacquainted – some after decades apart.
“We should do this more often!” was heard.
Just a few days later, in a different hall, it was refreshing to see toddlers, teens, and many of those same folks gathered at a Remembrance Day ceremony. At this respectful commemoration, food and drink was on offer again, and some of the same feelings were present also – especially the importance of recognition, honour, service, and community.
“We should do this more often,” was heard there, too.
It got me thinking about the importance of using our community spaces. It also got me considering the many community-interest organizations that have such a wealth of experience, talent, skills, and resources.
As an Alma resident right on Main Street, it’s easy for me to notice how often our local venues are used for such events – and how often they’re not.
Some of these facilities are fairly new, some of them quite old, and each, no doubt, has a core group of dedicated volunteers who manage and oversee these facilities and the events they hold or host. Whether a board of directors, our Fundy Albert municipality, or devoted volunteers, each group’s goal is the successful stewardship of their interests and investment. For most, the biggest investment is time.
Keeping our public spaces and venues affordable, comfortable, sustainable, accessible is an important community priority.
How? Volunteer, even though that time investment can be difficult, and in spite of all the other demands in our lives.
Because, it’s true: we should do this more often.
“We should do this more often!” was heard.
Just a few days later, in a different hall, it was refreshing to see toddlers, teens, and many of those same folks gathered at a Remembrance Day ceremony. At this respectful commemoration, food and drink was on offer again, and some of the same feelings were present also – especially the importance of recognition, honour, service, and community.
“We should do this more often,” was heard there, too.
It got me thinking about the importance of using our community spaces. It also got me considering the many community-interest organizations that have such a wealth of experience, talent, skills, and resources.
As an Alma resident right on Main Street, it’s easy for me to notice how often our local venues are used for such events – and how often they’re not.
Some of these facilities are fairly new, some of them quite old, and each, no doubt, has a core group of dedicated volunteers who manage and oversee these facilities and the events they hold or host. Whether a board of directors, our Fundy Albert municipality, or devoted volunteers, each group’s goal is the successful stewardship of their interests and investment. For most, the biggest investment is time.
Keeping our public spaces and venues affordable, comfortable, sustainable, accessible is an important community priority.
How? Volunteer, even though that time investment can be difficult, and in spite of all the other demands in our lives.
Because, it’s true: we should do this more often.
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