A bowlful, an earful, an eyeful at Bellrock Community Hall fundraiser

Sep 27, 2012

Photo: Virginia Lavin and Bob Brown of the Bellrock Community Hall Association helped organize the Chili-in-a-Bowl event at the Bellrock hall on September 22

The Bellrock Community Hall seldom looked better than it did on Sept. 22, dressed to the nines and ready for 86 diners to partake in “Chili-In-a- Bowl”, a fundraiser that included gifts for all of the five senses. The $20 ticket (or $35 for 2) included a generous helping of homemade chili; a gift of a wheel-thrown, hand-made ceramic bowl by local potter Tim de Rose of Wilton (itself alone worth the price of admission); an eclectic art show in the hall’s main front foyer; and live musical entertainment.

Bellrock’s own Group of 7, a collective made up of local artists Katie Ohlke of Plevna, Tim de Rose of Wilton, along with Kim Ondaatje, Louise Day, Sukie Faulkner, Jill Harris and Virginia Lavin, all of Bellrock, hung selections of their artwork at the entrance to the main hall. The pieces were executed in a wide variety of mediums.

Inside the hall and making the evening that much more special were the sounds of flautists Anne Archer and Debbie Twiddy of Tout Ensemble, who entertained the guests throughout the event.

Bob Brown, one of the organizers of the event and a long-time member of the Bellrock Community Hall Association, said the fundraiser was also “a celebration to recognize the two substantial grants the association received to make numerous renovations”. The renovations included updating the heating, the kitchen facilities, washrooms and building a stage, all of which have transformed the hall into a popular venue and an events destination for residents from across the township and beyond. The grants came from the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation ($23,000) and the Ontario Trillium Foundation ($67,000). “These grants have given this hall a sustainable life and without them this kind of transformation would never have taken place,” Brown said.

The committee has planned a number of upcoming events at the hall, including two plays in October, performances by a big band in November, and a concert by the Frontenac Women’s Chorus in December. Also, just in time for Christmas will be a special Christmas play for kids. The Bellrock Community Hall Association was formed three years ago and is made up of roughly 12 members. The association will be listing all their upcoming events at the hall on both the Township of Central Frontenac’s website (www.centralfrontenac.com) and the FCFDC's website, www.frontenaccfdc.com. Also watch for event dates in Northern Happenings.