Commons Threads — The Commons at Central Hall nears one-year anniversary
Just about a year ago, The Commons at Central Hall reopened after a 10-year hiatus from public view. It had been a public hall and served as town offices. Class plays were held here. They even had minstrel shows here. And they played basketball here for 75 years.
The Maine Highlands Senior Center and the Center Theatre teamed up – with lots of help from the community – to restore the building. The first public use of the space was a Medieval Dinner Theatre, with weddings, parties, birthdays, live theatre and concerts quickly following.
As the calendar advances to the one-year mark, the dance card at The Commons just keeps filling. In addition to special events, regular programming has returned The Commons into the community center of the past. Some of the regularly scheduled events include a weekly Cribbage Club Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; Adult Quilting Classes Tuesdays at 1 p.m.; Medicare appointments Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Community Café Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.; Taoist Healing Arts Classes Thursday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and Yoga Fridays at 9 a.m.
Planned monthly events include First Friday Free Films; Contra Dancing on the second Friday of the month; and Date Night dinner and a movie, dates to be determined. Special workshops dot the schedule including Beginner’s Quilting; writing led by local author Joe Siccardi; Storytelling with Michelle; 10 Tips Nutrition Class; Tech Time; and Medicare 101. The Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society meets at The Commons and a number of weekly support groups also meet at The Commons, including NAMI Multi-Generational and LGBTQ+Only and LGBTQ+Allies.
Work is continuing on the adult day care service center, the last piece in the renovation project. Donations are being accepted.
A one-year celebration is planned for Saturday, May 25 from 4-7 p.m. The facility will be open for tours and local student artwork is expected to be featured. The Commons at Central Hall is located at 152 East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft. Information is available at 343-3018 or by email at info@centralhallcommons.org.