The Hall WE Built! – This is US!
The original section of the Lower Ohio Community Hall was built in 1908 by members of the community.
It was used then for many of the things still held today: dances, local musical concerts, suppers, receptions for weddings and funerals, birthday parties, auction fundraisers, etc. For many years the major fundraiser was the Annual July 1st Bazaar and Auction. It required all hands from the community to participate in one way or another. There were lots of laughs and great fellowship. These are the things that make an area a community that supports and cares for one another.
At that time, the Canadian Knights of Honor ( CKOH) better known as “The Lodge” operated at the hall. CKOH was founded in 1873 for young men. It was a mutual beneficiary association, fraternal and secret society. In the Ohios and Welshtown, both men and women of the community were voted in to become members of this social organization. In later years CKOH became the Freemasons and Odd Fellows.
Recent activites enjoyed by many are the Yoga classes, Fund Raisers, Dances, Anniversary & Birthday Celebrations, Crib Tournaments and Fun Trivia the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of the month.
In the 70’s it became clear that the hall was not large enough and so the community stepped up to add a piece to the original building. The women worked on the hall renovations during the day and the men took over in the evening after they got home from work. Renovations were completed in 1975 and celebrated with a grand opening dance on September 27th.
The Roseway River 4-H Club operated out of the Hall for many years. Young people learned public speaking, leadership skills, and practical project skills. Individual and Club exchanges with other 4-H groups in Canada were enjoyed over the years.
In the 90’s the hall was upgraded with a wheelchair ramp at the back door, a cement set of stairs with a handrail at the front door, wheelchair accessible washroom, and a large laminated beam to strengthen the join of the old and new sections. To better advertize the activities at the hall a 4’x 8’ roadside sign was added that you could change the letters to say whatever you needed it to.
The roadside sign still is a great way to advertize the hall’s events but now there is a web site and Facebook for people get their information. Our Community hall is the backbone of our community ….there to enjoy and serve as a social gathering area.
