Community Hall renovation on pace

Work crews have restored the Camp Sherman Community Hall to all its rustic glory. photo courtesy of Bob Shaull Camp Sherman's grand old Community Hall is rounding back into shape and will be ready for business later this month. The historic building will have its official grand re-opening party on Saturday, January 22, with a community potluck dinner.

"About 50 volunteers have donated over 1,500 hours of work at the hall over the last four months," said Bruce Shaull, Camp Sherman Community Association (CSCA) President. Many local businesses have also been very generous in their help, including Hoyt's Hardware with lumber and other supplies, contractor Lanny Schreiner and his floor crew, Kevin Spencer Masonry, Bend Pest Control, Diamond Edge concrete cutting, Bend Heating and many others.

A group of Sisters High School students did the dirty work of digging out the hall's crawl space.

"Don McWright has been the General Contractor for the $50,000 project renovation," said Shaull. "He knew Luther Metke, one of the original hall building leaders, and has taken this job on as a labor of love."

Sub-flooring, lighting, rewiring, and a new heating system have been the four major project renovations at the hall, according to Shaull.

"The new circular lighting will be a welcome addition to the hall as well as the new furnace and heating system," he said.

"So far, local folks have donated $29,000 for the project, $12,000 has come from the State Historic Preservation Office and $9,000 from the Camp Sherman Historical Society," Shaull noted.

"Old-timers continually stop by and relate stories of earlier days at the hall."

Asked about any unusual events during the project, Shaull said, "We've dealt with problems along the way. One surprise was the dead raccoon under the flooring."

Started in 1948, the Community Hall is now registered as an Oregon state historic building.

During those 50-plus years it has served the community well for social gatherings, holiday church services, Black Butte School events, Pine Needler quilt shows and winter cabin-fever potlucks for local residents.

Plans call for a Christmas Eve service at the hall and a wedding reception scheduled for New Year's Eve.

Besides Shaull, other COCA board members are Ellen Wood, Vice President; Magda Schay, Secretary; Jake Willoughby, Treasurer; Tonye Phillips, Events Coordinator; Barbara Haynes, Publicity Coordinator and Jon Sheldahl, member-at-large.

To donate, contact Jake Willoughby at 595-2481.