Dunbarton marks 100th birthday of Town Hall

Goffstown Editor — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:01:00 GMT

Who doesn’t love a good birthday celebration?

Get ready as Dunbarton throws a centennial birthday bash for its Town Hall on May 31, June 5 and 6. There will be historical tours of the Town Hall, programs by Steve Blunt and Rebecca Rule, a baked bean supper and barn dance.

There will also be two special viewings of a 1981 production of “Cinderella,” performed in drag by members of the Dunbarton Fire Department.

Tiffany Dodd, chairman of the library board of trustees and a member of the Centennial Committee, said a group of 15 people from within the community have been planning the celebration since the fall of 2008.

“Just getting involved in this, I’ve met all kinds of people in town,” said Dodd. “I was excited to get involved in all of this. I want to see more community-oriented events, because that’s what living in a small town is all about.”

One event planned is historical tours of the town hall. The Centennial Committee will take visitors to the second floor of the building, where they will see various memorabilia and pictures depicting the heyday of the Town Hall.

According to selectmen Chairman Les Hammond, the second floor is generally closed to the public, as it is not up to fire codes. A number of years ago, the ceiling on the second floor caved in. The ceiling was repaired, but other things still need to be fixed to bring it up to code. Currently, there is one electrical outlet on the second floor, no heat and no handicapped access.

Hammond said there is talk about bringing the second floor up to code, as it would give the town more meeting space, and there will be another meeting in the next week or two to talk about renovations.

“This town is in desperate need of meeting space,” said Hammond.

The town has already spoken with an architect from Hopkinton, but so far, no grant money has been found to get the project going. Architect renderings are available for viewing at the library and town offices.

On the Town Hall second floor will also be two viewings of a 1981 production of “Cinderella,” performed in drag by members of the Dunbarton Fire Department. The production was originally a fundraiser for the department, and it raked in $1,200 for safety equipment.

The play will be shown in two groups of 50 people. If you are not able to see the production at the Town Hall, it will be available to check out at the library later in the week.

Peter Hecker, a retired Dunbarton fire chief, restored the video, added some credits to it and copied it to DVD for the occasion. Hecker was one of the firefighters who dressed in drag for the play. He played Prince Charming’s mother, the queen.

Some people may be interested to know if he will dress in drag for the encore presentation.

“Absolutely not!” said Hecker. “I had trouble finding women’s undergarments that fit me then!”

Hammond, too, is a firefighter who dressed in drag for the production. He played one of the ugly stepsisters along with Fred Mullen.

Another event the committee has planned is a presentation by Rebecca Rule, where she will share true Yankee stories from her book, “Live Free and Eat Pie.”

“A lot of families in town are baking pies, and we’re going to be handing out free slices during her presentation,” said Dodd. “It’s fitting, since her book is called ‘Live Free and Eat Pie.’”

So far, 20 people have signed up to bake an assortment of pies, and the committee still seeks more bakers.

“Whatever pie we don’t use on Friday we’ll use for the bean supper the next night,” said Dodd.

A baked bean supper will take place on Saturday, June 6. It will then be followed by a barn dance. Tickets for the supper will be $5, and Hammond will be the master of ceremonies for both events.

“I may also be a taste-tester of the pies,” Hammond said jokingly.

“(Dunbarton) is a bedroom community,” said Hammond, “and we in the selectmen’s office have always been looking for ways to bring the community together.

“Tiffany (Dodd) is a very goal-oriented lady. When she gets going with something, she just gets it done,” said Hammond. “We’re proud to be a part of it.”

For more information about the celebration, call the library at 774-3546 or visit www.dunbartonlibrary.org.

Dunbarton news : centennial

Dunbarton marks 100th birthday of Town Hall