Archives Hemmingford Event a Success

With 515 tickets sold, the Archives Hemmingford event was deemed a success. Held at the Hemmingford Golf Club on Saturday, November 19th, the community celebrated the event “Remembering the Past and Celebrating the Future” in fine spirits.

Archives Board Member Gerard Laberge acted as the Master of Ceremonies, while singer Manon Décosse entertained throughout the evening. Member of Huntingdon, Quebec’s Liberal Party and Chief Government Whip Stéphane Billette was in attendance, as well as Village of Hemmingford Mayor Drew Somerville and Canton of Hemmingford mayor Paul Viau. Hemmingford Archives founder Betty McKay Mackenzie and current President, Mary Ducharme, participated via video greetings.

Significant moments of the evening included Andrew Latour’s presentation of a $1,589 donation to the Hemmingford Archives from the dissolved Heritage Hemmingford association and well as former Heritage Hemmingford member Susan Heller’s video-talk about the origins of the afore mentioned organization. An address by Jacqueline Stoneberger, a co-founder of Archives Hemmingford, was read by Carolyn Marlin, while Leonard Priest presented information concerning future plans for the Archives. Local Beryl Tovim coordinated the silent auction, a hearty contributor to the fundraising fund.

Grant Approved

As of December 9th, the Minister of Heritage Canada had approved a grant of $94, 250 under the Cultural Space Fund, for the renovation of the new Archives Building at 517 Champlain, Hemmingford (a location that formerly served as a church hall). Renovations are scheduled to start in May 2017. This grant represents approximately 50% of the original estimate. Additional fundraising will be required to cover the Archives commitment and the cost of all additional items.