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Attention Residents of the Municipality of Bayham. FYI : On August 1, 2015 The Municipality of Bayham received approval for up to $250,000 (contingent on matching funds) for the rehabilitation of the Straffordville Community Centre. These funds are through the Canada 150 Community infrastructure program to which the municipality had previously applied. The municipality currently has undisclosed funds available in a Straffordville Community Centre fund and other contingency funds.
It is very important that residents who wish to see the Straffordville Community Centre get the renovations required to re-open our facility to take the following course of action. Please offer your comments by letter or email to our municipal council with reasons why we want our community centre to re-open, especially now that we have approval for 50% of the costs to do so through the Federal program. We only have until August 29, 2015 to let council know our wishes regarding this important issue.
Email: bayham@bayham.on.ca
Mail to: Municipality of Bayham
P.O. Box 160
Straffordville, ON N0J 1Y0
Man oh man! The memories! Dances, parties, feasts, travelling shows, showers for newly weds, a place to meet following funerals, every one of us residents have our own special memories.
When Santa came to Straffordville with a huge parade, he and Mrs. Claus would repair to the community centre to distribute goodies and listen to the little ones' lists of hopes for Christmas morning. We were warmed by steaming cups of hot chocolate after freezing our tootsies as the floats and riders on beautiful horses, the Shriners on minibikes and fire trucks went by.
One Christmas I was dressed as Dumbledore of Hogwarts, the College of Wizards, on the Library float. It was fun, but I learned you can't see the parade when you are in it.
October Fests were a regular event with name bands playing polkas, and lots of beer to keep us cool if not very sober.
When New Year's Eve dances began to lose popularity we moved them from December 31 to Groundhog Day, February 2. There were sprigs of mistletoe for the gals to linger under in hopes of getting a kiss from handsome beaus. They got lots of smooches, not always from the hunks.
The Watermelon Fest added a popular weekend event with activities in the hall and on the grounds. It also brought the annual fundraiser, Bayham Has Talent. Musicians, jugglers, anyone with an act had a chance to strut their stuff, maybe sell some CDs.
I never played bingo, but my Mom Bowes never missed a game while she lived in Straffordville. When it was time for a turkey bingo, Mom's uncanny luck often supplied Martha, me and sister Gretta and Al Walsh with a plump bird for Thanksgiving.
So I urge everyone to get your message to council, you value this facility and want it restored. Do it today. The clock is running.