The Gihon Valley Hall (GVH) Committee is a volunteer group dedicated to making the hall an affordable public gathering space open to all. Volunteers are the backbone of the hall and three people the GVH Committee would like to publicly recognize are Al Spitzer, outgoing committee chair, for his countless hours and enthusiasm for the hall’s restoration, Russ Longtin, outgoing committee member and theatrical consultant, and Roger Audet for his consultation with hall maintenance.
The GVH is for the North Hyde Park and neighboring communities. Past uses for the hall included music events with local bands, line and square dancing, theater and puppet shows and community meetings. Past private rentals included birthday parties, celebrations of life and art exhibitions. Recent revenues allowed the committee to purchase a new sound system and more comfortable chairs, making the hall even more inviting.
Community partnerships are vital to the GVH. The committee has partnered with the Hyde Park Community Circle to co-host the Annual Wreath Lighting Ceremony and with the Lamoille County Players and the Lanpher Library to host Trivia Nights that have proven to be popular. The committee hopes to continue these partnerships and welcomes more collaboration opportunities.
In 2024 the GVH received a generous grant from the Vermont Electric Coop for the purchase of a handicap ramp. This will allow the hall to be even more accessible. In 2024 the Hyde Park Energy Committee included the GVH in the Municipal Energy Resilience Program so in 2025 the hall’s first floor ceiling and walls will be reinsulated. It is the goal of the committee to continue pursuing grants to upgrade the accessibility of the hall and restoration efforts to recognize the history of the Hall and the Village of North Hyde Park.
For FY2025, the GVH Committee is requesting level funding. The current $6,500 annual will cover maintenance, repairs, utilities, and broadband wi-fi. The committee will continue to explore efficiencies in the coming years.
The GVH Committee looks forward to re-opening the doors in the spring and we have some exciting plans for 2025. If you have ideas for events you'd like to bring to Gihon Valley Hall, or just a general curiosity about how you can get involved with our efforts, contact us at gihonvalleyhall@gmail.com, visit our website (https://gihonvalleyhall.wixsite.com/home) follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@gihonvalleyhall), or call the Town of Hyde Park (802) 888-2300. The committee meets on the first Monday of each month at 6pm – all are welcome to drop in, and we’re actively seeking new members to support our amazing volunteer team.
With gratitude – Allen Spitzer (Outgoing Chair), Andy Race (Vice Chair), Valerie Valcour (Secretary), H. Dale Porter (Treasurer), Liz Courtney, Monica Heath, and Laura Race.
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