Grange Plans Fundraisers for Curtain Restoration

Potluck, Good Old Plough on March 1

February 20, 2014 • Saved under Andover Organizations
Press release
The Good Old Plough -- Tom Curren of Danbury, Fred Ogmundson of Wilmot, and Don Towle of Alexandria -- has been singing together since 1986. The group will present a benefit performance at the Grange Hall in Danbury on March 1.
The Good Old Plough — Tom Curren of Danbury, Fred Ogmundson of Wilmot, and Don Towle of Alexandria — has been singing together since 1986. The group will present a benefit performance at the Grange Hall in Danbury on March 1.

On Saturday, March 1, at 7 PM in the Blazing Star Grange Hall in Danbury, The Good Old Plough will perform music depicting the rise and fall of the New Hampshire hill farm. This benefit performance by area musicians is the first in a series over the next four months to raise funds and awareness to support the restoration of a complete set of hand-painted curtains that have graced the stage of the Grange Hall since 1921.

A potluck supper at 5:30 PM will precede the concert. All are invited to enjoy the entertainment and food and learn more about the curtains and the project. Suggested donation for the concert is $5. Any amount, large or small, will be welcomed. Snow date is Saturday, March 8.

The Country Scene drop curtain by Egbert Foster is one of several panels to be restored with funds raised by the Blazing Star Grange.
The Country Scene drop curtain by Egbert Foster is one of several panels to be restored with funds raised by the Blazing Star Grange.

Under the direction of Curtains Without Borders, a Vermont nonprofit responsible for preserving many historic stage curtains in New England, the Danbury stage curtains will be restored this summer and ready for many more years of use.

“A beautifully painted and complete stage set produced by a New Hampshire scenic studio is a treasure,” says Chris Hadsel, director of the organization.

The grand drape, two backdrop scenes, and their complementary “ears” and flats were produced by Egbert L. Foster, a Manchester scenic artist. An advertising curtain featuring local businesses of the early 1930s will also be included in the restoration project.

The Grange will showcase the curtains at the 100th Blazing Star Grange Fair on September 6 of this year.

Upcoming events include a benefit by Cardigan Mountain Tradition, a popular bluegrass band, on Saturday, April 19 at 7 PM. Wally Borgen’s vaudeville troupe is scheduled for Saturday, May 10. Mark your calendars now for this exciting concert series.

All performances will take place in the Blazing Star Grange Hall located on North Road across from the fire station, near the intersection of Routes 4 and 104, in Danbury.

You may find more information about the project on the Grange Web site at DanburyGrange.org or contact Charlotte at 768-5501 or MaPaKettleNH@nullmsn.com.

For more information about Curtains Without Borders, visit CurtainsWithoutBorders.org.