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Pine Plains Memorial Hall

Shovels will be poised to break ground on the restoration of the Plains’ Memorial Hall May 20th. The century-old brick building, which was once the social center of the vibrant community, is bring brought back to life through a community-wide effort that will find full expression on the day of the groundbreaking.

Built in 1915, and given to the town of Pine Plains in memory of John McIntyre and his wife, Elizabeth Hauve, Memorial Hall was a gathering place for the town, a versatile centerpiece adapted to meet the needs of the community several times throughout its 60 years of use. Previously a movie theater, shopping mall, performance space, community center, and most recently a laundromat, Memorial Hall was repurposed several times before lying vacant for three decades.

Plans call for recreating its past as a community center, maintaining the original rural character of the building and its elegant open auditorium space, while adding modern equipment to support arts programs, films and music performances.

May 20th will bring a broad range of fundraising and celebratory events, ranging from a plant sale, to an evening of hot music. Vendors such as RonnyBrook Farms and Stewart’s will provide milkshakes and hotdogs and soda while local restaurants will prepare specialties. In all, 30 vendors will sell their wares and offer information.

During the day tours will be offered, including a historical walking tour of the town, The Pines on Pine Street and the old Memorial Hall. There will also be a scavenger hunt and fire truck rides for children. The Lions Club will operate a dunking booth with proceeds going to Memorial Hall.

Videographers are to record interviews with those who care to share their memories and experiences of living in the town and what the renovation will mean to them.

There will also be a flea market and people can set up a table of their own by contacting info@ppmemorialhall.org.

Music will be offered throughout the day by a local DJ and musicians and from 7-11 PM at the Tower Pizza Beer Garden there will be a benefit concert by the Jukebox Junkies. All proceeds go to Memorial Hall.

All members of the community are asked to bring their own shovels so that they can be part of the groundbreaking ceremony and historic photograph at 4PM. Immediately after the ceremony, the success of the project will be toasted under a tent on the Stissing House lawn. Beverages will be donated by the Stissing House.

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