Grange preservation work begins

The Charlotte Grange applied for and was selected to receive not one, but two grants this year. The first, from Historic Preservation of Vermont, is dedicated to taking the eight large schoolhouse windows on the main floor and restoring them back to functioning condition—adding new ropes and hardware, replacing panes, replacing and/or repairing sills and dividers, and painting. All the work is being done by local contractors: Slater Construction and Brian Slater are handling the entire project with the painting being down by local painter David Owen.

The windows have all been removed, the wood stripped and prepped, and are currently with a local vendor for necessary pane replacements and glazing. David has started the painting process of the window frames, and we are looking forward to seeing these stunning windows back in their rightful places sometime this fall.

As this grant is a 50/50 matching grant, we are in major fundraising mode as we need to be able to prove payment of the entire project before we can submit paperwork for the 50% grant reimbursement.

We would like to thank all those people who have already generously donated towards this project. Those wishing to donate or ask questions regarding the work being done and planned for this historic Grange Hall can write Trina Bianchi or Margaret Woodruff. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 54, Charlotte, VT 05445.

Our list of donors continues to grow; thank you to all who have contributed to date: Elizabeth Bassett and John Pane, Jennifer Requist, Frances Foster, Cindi Robinson, Susan Ohanian, Harvey and Elaine Sharrow, Bob Downing, Lisa Crispin, Ted and Anne Castle, Peter and Nancy Richardson, Norman and Dorothy Pellett, Heather Garvey, David Perrin, Trina Bianchi, Dorothy Hill, Jeffrey and Irene Horbar, Eileen Curtis, Marilyn Richardson, Catherine Hughes, Raven Davis, Carol Morris, Alice Trageser, Moe Harvey and Mary Mead, Margaret Woodruff, Alan and Christine Schillhammer, Remo and Donna Pizzagalli, Community Bank, Hinesburg, Pease Mountain Law, Charlotte.