Blazing Star Grange Sets $20,000 Goal to Restore Curtains

Spring benefit concerts will help

March 18, 2014 • Saved under Andover Organizations
Press release
Gathered at the home of Tom Curren and Kathy Neustadt, the Blazing Star Grange curtain committee has been meeting regularly to raise funds for the restoration of the full set of historic scenery that has graced the stage of the Grange hall for over 90 years. Left to right: Tom Curren, Donna Sprague, Marjie Gorman, Kathy Neustadt, Charlotte McIver, chair of the committee, Mickey McIver, Judith Kushner-Wood, and Linda Ray Wilson. Not pictured are Tom Brewer, Diane Clay, Mary Fanelli, Phyllis Rockwell, Marilyn Soper, and Tricia Taylor.
Gathered at the home of Tom Curren and Kathy Neustadt, the Blazing Star Grange curtain committee has been meeting regularly to raise funds for the restoration of the full set of historic scenery that has graced the stage of the Grange hall for over 90 years. Left to right: Tom Curren, Donna Sprague, Marjie Gorman, Kathy Neustadt, Charlotte McIver, chair of the committee, Mickey McIver, Judith Kushner-Wood, and Linda Ray Wilson. Not pictured are Tom Brewer, Diane Clay, Mary Fanelli, Phyllis Rockwell, Marilyn Soper, and Tricia Taylor.

The Blazing Star Grange #71 Curtain Restoration Committee has been meeting regularly at the home of Tom Curren and Kathy Neustadt in South Danbury to make plans to raise funds to refurbish the Danbury Grange’s unique set of historic stage scenery. Most of the scenery was painted by Egbert L. Foster in the early 1920s. The advertising curtain was installed later and is thought to be the work of Arthur S. Ives.

The committee has set a goal of $20,000, which will cover the cost of preserving, repairing, and re-rigging the scenery plus upgrades to the physical environment, which will protect these works of art and preserve them for future generations.

Charlotte McIver, chairperson for the group, announced that a grant of $10,000 has been received thus far, and a recent concert by The Good Old Plough, one of four planned in the monthly music series, earned another $500 toward the $20,000 goal.

On April 19, Cardigan Mountain Tradition, a perennial favorite bluegrass band that performs at the annual Blazing Star Grange Fair, will give a benefit performance in the Grange Hall in Danbury at 7 PM. The committee expects to fill the hall for this concert, which will be preceded by a half hour of coffee and dessert starting at 6:30 PM.

On May 10, Wally Borgen’s Vaudeville troupe will bring their riotous show to the Grange Hall stage and in June, a Sock Hop is planned bringing music of the ’50s back to Danbury.

All music events start at 7 PM, and admission is by donation. Any amount, large or small, is most welcomed.

Anyone interested in supporting the Blazing Star Grange in its efforts to restore their unique set of stage scenery, or wishing to volunteer for these fundraising efforts, should contact Charlotte at 768-5501 or MaPaKettleNH@nullmsn.com. Detailed information on the restoration is on line at DanburyGrange.org. Donations may be sent to Blazing Star Grange #71, Box 77, Danbury 03230.