Mary Hawley Society Recognizes Contributors

The Edmond Town Hall kitchen and its adjacent Alexandria Room have been fully restored in the last two years under the auspices of the Mary Hawley Society, the building’s nonprofit support organization. A plaque is being placed in the butler service area to thank several major donors, and to recognize Jim Juliano, volunteer project manager.

Among the larger donors are The Newtown Rotary Club, The Newtown Woman’s Club, GFWC, Inc, the Borough of Newtown, Mary Fellows and John Conk, and Joan G. and James W. Crick, Jr.

The projects were begun with two state grants and enhanced by fundraising events, including wine-tastings, by Mary Hawley Society and chaired by Marg Studley. The Newtown Rotary Club, which traditionally holds its pancake breakfast in Edmond Town Hall, made major contributions to the kitchen. The complete process included moving walls, rewiring and plumbing the entire area, plus restoring the cabinets and purchasing all new appliances to meet 21st Century guidelines.

The Woman’s Club sponsored a fundraising campaign that made substantial contributions to the Alexandria Room effort. Restorations there included rewiring and painting of the entire room, restoration of the chandeliers and sconces, plus sanding and refinishing of the floors and stage area. Draperies, valances and stage curtains were also replaced.

Sandra Motyka, secretary of the Mary Hawley Society and a longtime member of the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers, commented that the two projects were the work of dozens of people in all.

 “All of us, on both the Board of Managers and the Mary Hawley Society,  were involved as the process evolved. We worked together — from finding funds to picking paint colors,” Ms Motyka said. “Jay Gill, a professional chef, was chairman of the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers at the time of the restoration and made major contributions to the project. Jane Sharpe, a former member of the Board of Managers, did the LOCIP grant requests. Mary Fellows, a present member of the Board of Managers, guided our choices for the overall color palette, draperies, and stage curtain. Jim Juliano was there constantly as he worked with outside contractors and our facilities staff.”