A High-Profile Kitchen Makes A Comeback

By Kendra Bobowick

Short sleeves and tank tops have barely given way to light sweaters, but several residents are already glancing ahead to the first weekend in December. Primarily, they have their minds set on pancakes.

As work continued this week on upgrades to the kitchen adjoining the Alexandria Room in the Edmond Town Hall, Mary Hawley Society member Jane Sharpe said, “The plumbing is being done and the appliances are on the way.” Forming within the past two years, the society’s goal is to raise funds for “things beyond the scope of the Board of Managers,” which oversees business at the municipal/community building.

Work to renovate the outmoded kitchen “should be finished” by the time the Rotary Club of Newtown drops butter onto warming griddles for its annual pancake breakfast held during holiday festivities along Main Street. Residents joining the tour of professionally decorated homes adorned for winter holidays traditionally stand in line, stomachs grumbling, waiting for a short stack.

The more than $100,000 renovation costs are covered through town funds, grant money, and fundraisers held as early as last November. Approved for up to $90,000 through the states Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP), Ms Sharpe also noted the estimated $10,000 the society raised during a wine tasting and open house last year.

 

Community Support

Funds are also coming in through generous donations. “Most recently we spoke to [the Rotary Club of Newtown] and they challenged us,” Ms Sharpe laughed. The civic group has, in all, contributed approximately $10,000 to the project with one condition: “If we could complete the kitchen by December 1,” Ms Sharpe said. Summing up the deal, she explained: “The said, ‘We’ll give you money if you give us a kitchen.’” The date is just in time for the Rotary’s pancake breakfast. The Borough of Newtown has contributed funds, and bank certificates of deposit, including the one honoring Sarah Mannix, a longtime Board of Managers member, are also helping to pay for a new kitchen. The town also made available a $35,000 loan the managers can draw from if needed.

Would you prefer decaf or regular? The Newtown Woman’s Club Inc (GFWC) member JoAnn Bruno, with help from Marie Sturdevant, has asked its members to mail out “invitations” to a tea. Ms Bruno explained, “It’s a stay at home tea.” Invitations include one tea bag and the instructions, “Sit back and enjoy a cup of tea.” The invitation describes the Mary Hawley Society’s goals to raise funds for town hall projects. With donation cards included, the tea falls under the club’s community improvement efforts. Ms Sharpe expressed her gratitude to the many civic groups and individuals who have added their financial support to the project, which society members met with agreement during a meeting Tuesday.

Managers member James Juliano, who has spearheaded work on the kitchen, ran down the long list of work and appliances now reshaping the kitchen area. Handicap accessible where needed and up to code, work includes a new grease trap, stove, hood, a new coffee station, state-of-the-art freezers, a refrigerator, several bays of sinks for washing food, for cleanup, and for washing hands, hot water pot-filling stations, a griddle, convection ovens, dishwashers, and the necessary upgrades to exhaust, drainage, paint, plumbing, and electric.

Thinking back to the years the managers have hoped to install a kitchen and bring the catering facility and banquet hall back to life, Mr Juliano said, “It’s been a long haul.” Optimistic, Mr Juliano thinks the revamped kitchen will be finished by the end of next month, awaiting inspections. During a society meeting this week, Ms Sharpe and member Sandra Motyka both expressed the hard work and expertise that Mr Juliano has brought to the kitchen project. “He has been phenomenal,” Ms Sharpe said.

Mr Juliano conferred with electricians Wednesday morning while Ms Sharpe, society Chairman Don Studley, Rotary representative Dan Honan and tradesmen worked in the kitchen area.

Board of Managers Chairman Jay Gill has been hoping for several years to see the kitchen refinished. “Very pleased” that the project is at last being completed, he also looks forward to opening the facility.