Come to the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall following the AMVETS Fish Fry on March 4th for a Family Fun Night!  There will be Wii, Ping-Pong, board games and all sorts of fun ways to spend time together.

More info and updates on the Historic Town Hall...

ER Town Hall group setting stage for success

The Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall Association (HERTHA), has had an active winter season. Tom Nemitz of Cornerstone Architects of Traverse City and Grand Rapids, is working on our rehabilitation assessment plan. His work is funded by a grant from the Elk Rapids Community Fund through the Grant Traverse Region Community Foundation and will give us options for going forward with Town Hall rehabilitation efforts. We have also been accepted into an NMC visual communication program for development of a full media and on-line presence. We anticipate that NMC students will help us design a logo, create interesting opportunities through using social media such as Facebook, redesign our website and develop a promotional brochure. This is an exciting collaborative project and we are pleased that NMC will be pitching in.

We see the Town Hall as a symbol of historic development and economic revival, and the many persons who have offered comments and suggestions have given us solid ideas for accomplishing those objectives. Foremost, it is important to bring the Town Hall back into use as a community center, where community activities including smaller venue performances and presentations can flourish. We are working with Amy Schindler from the Elk Rapids Schools on a mini film festival this summer to highlight local student filmmakers. We are hoping that a proposal to the Tribal Council will allow us to learn more about other ways of making community decisions. We seek funding for a workshop retreat this fall to develop a process model for connecting the Town Hall rehabilitation to the history and economy of the area. Children’s arts and sports activities have been put forward as an ideal summer and weekend use of the Hall.

Meetings and workshops have given HERTHA a better idea of what Elk Rapids wants to do with the Town Hall this coming year. Tentatively, we have a play starring local thespians scheduled in April, potential weddings in this marvelous location, and regular historical society presentations with fun social events as well.  Costs related to operating the Town Hall are significant, but can be managed with positive, active use. HERTHA, as manager for the Town Hall, is recruiting ideas and uses for this iconic venue.

Put the Valentine’s Birthday Ball on your calendar for February 13. We’ll be posting notices for it soon. Some of the results of Tom Nemitz’s architectural work will be on display at the ball, the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society will feature its historic Elk Rapids model train panorama, and music, dancing and refreshments will be available as we look forward to spring. On March 4, after the AMVETS Fish Fry, HERTHA will offer a Family Fun Night at the Town Hall with Wii, ping-pong and board games from 7-9.  Bring the whole family!  – Submitted by Marie Adams Dolembo, Executive Director