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 Greetings to our friends, near and far,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAZEL RUBY MCQUAIN CHARITABLE TRUST AWARDS GIFT
The Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee, Inc., received a much appreciated early Christmas gift this week. In November 2008, the committee was gifted the former Rowlesburg High School by the previous owners, Imre and Janet Szilagyi. At that time only certain rooms on the upper tier of the school were heated by gas furnaces. Since that time the Center has been limited to using the lower tier only during warm weather or on some occasions by heating with small electric heaters.
On Saturday, December 17th the RRC received the funds to complete the heating system for the entire building, compliments of the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust. This Trust which is administered by George Farmer, Jr is responsible for benefiting causes both large and small to enable them to improve the lives of many in the State of West Virginia. The small community of Rowlesburg will benefit greatly from this generosity. Upon completion of the project the Szilagyi Center can then offer classes and amenities throughout the entire year. Pottery classes, quilting classes,(computer classes are in planning stage), the Centenary B & O Railroad bridge exhibit, the Emporium and the Greatest Generation WWII Museum can now be available all year long. The Szilagyi Center serves as a gathering place for residents where social activities, cultural events, fitness classes and community dinners can be enjoyed by all.
Kudos and thanks to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust from the town of Rowlesburg and the Rowlesburg Revitalization Committee. SAH
RRC has, once again, seen a very good year. We give thanks to our many donors and supporters. We couldn’t continue to succeed without you.
A few highlights of 2010 were:
• In April, Burgess Lee Waybright was honored as “Volunteer of the Year, 2010” at a Spaghetti Dinner;
• We hosted the National Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet;
• Dr. Robert and Jean Walsh donated $10,000 in memory of “Miss Beatrice” to continue improvements in the café and her name above the door;
• New carpeting was installed in the Emporium and hallway; tile was installed in the café;
• The café kitchenette was finished and The Emporium opened featuring Jean’s Collectibles, The Curiosity Shoppe, and Ma & Pa’s Antiques;
• A sound system was purchased for the gym/auditorium through a $3,200 grant;
• A $5,000 grant was used to equip the commercial kitchen; A Brownfield grant repaired and sealed the roof;
• Annual events included 3rd River City Festival, Labor Day Festival, Ox Roast, and Homecoming Dance; 3rd Chestnut Festival, 2nd Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) and 3rd New Years Eve Party;
• Alumnus, Vicky Jackson donated a new video projector for use in the gym to show movies;
• Imre Szilagyi donated $2,500 for his name above the SE corner upstairs classroom;
• On numerous occasions there were dances and class reunions in the gym;
• Creative Writing classes were taught by newcomer and author, Dr. Sandra Wales;
• From May through October we had steady traffic through old RHS (Szilagyi Center), including several bus tours.
Exciting happenings scheduled for 2011 are:
• The Preston County Arts Council and RRC collaborated on an Art Studio with pottery kiln to be completed in May in the 6th grade classroom. This was made possible through a private grant of $9,900 and will expand into other art forms. This will be a teaching environment; Elma Lantz Leaman is donating the paint for the studio;
• Anna Nassif and representatives from the ten former high schools will open a Preston County Sports Museum exhibiting memorabilia from all schools. If you have sports memorabilia still in good condition, contact Anna.
• The $50,000 grant for an elevator is still on the burner. Estimates are around $230,000 to complete. We are considering an option of chair lifts and a vertical wheelchair lift to the third floor. This option would be less costly and more do-able. Mike and Carolann Hooton are anxious for this to be completed and have donated funds to the project;
• Many high school class pictures have been donated back to RRC and will hang in the upstairs hallway.
In the near future:
• Funds are being sought (around $70,000) to install new furnaces & AC in the building. Old noisy wall furnaces heat the gym; 3 furnaces heat half of the top level; wall furnaces heat 5 lower level rooms (to keep water lines from freezing). There is no heat on the middle level nor in half of the upstairs. Because of this, we are forced to close most of the building in the winter;
• The old library will see new life as a new library; many books have been donated; newcomer Bruce Simon (a retired librarian) will help us establish a modern computerized library;
• There are still 5 rooms upstairs without plans;
• Old carpeting covers the floors (glued in place) in the upstairs southward 5 rooms and hallway; we hope to remove the dirty, ratty old carpeting and refinish the beautiful old maple floors;
• All restrooms in the building are in need of remodeling (ADA requirements); 2 in the gym, 2 on each of second and 3rd floors.
As you can see, we’ve accomplished much through the generosity of our friends and supporters. With your support we will continue to bring “Old RHS” back to her former glory.
Thank you!! Katie Wolfe-Orescanin, Chair, RRC, Inc. |
