About Us
A Brief History of the Hall
The Hawkestone Community Hall was built by the Orange Lodge in the winter of 1924-25. At the time there was no basement, but in the 30’s the existing front entrance was removed, a basement foundation was built, the building was lifted onto the basement and a new entrance was added. Although many interior changes have been made, this basic structure is the same as it can be found today.
In the 40’s the Orange Lodge, due to low membership, handed the hall over to the village trustees or “Village Fathers” who were the caretakers of the ‘Police Village’. Since that time, the Township of Oro-Medonte took control of the village administration and ownership of the hall.
Today the Hall operates under a community board of directors who plan community events, coordinate fund-raising efforts, update the facilities, and to make the space available for programming and special events.
Mission Statement:
Hawkestone Hall is the heart of the community, where residents come to recreate, learn, play, and connect in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
Message from the President:
It is an honour for me to serve as the President of our newly-formed Board of Directors. We have a fabulous group of people committed to meeting the needs of our varied community; we’d love to hear from you with your ideas and interests.
I’d like to acknowledge the dedicated people that came before us who established Hawkestone Hall as a dynamic place of gathering with a wonderful reputation across the township. We have much to learn from the rich history of our village and its marvelous people.
Thanks to Marilyn Gregory for her talented work to get this website up and running. Have a look through and we absolutely hope to see you at one of our special events or regular programs.
Feel free to contact me at hawkestonehall@gmail.com.
Serving on the Hall Board: Objectives, Responsibilities and Benefits
Hawkestone Hall Board is elected to become the caretakers of the hall. They have the responsibility of raising funds to meet the expenses of operating the hall plus 50% of capital expenses that arise.
But most importantly, they are there to serve the community. They make every effort to reach out to residents of all age groups to learn what programming would be of interest in order to enrich community life.
Members of the hall board come with many skills and specialties. Their unique gifts inevitably shape the dynamics of the community. Serving on the hall board creates new and unexpected social networks for more recent members of the community as well as those whose families have been here for many generations.
If you have some time to commit to getting involved or are interested in a creative outlet, please let us know by clicking below.
Meet the Hawkestone Hall Board
The Hallboard Executive
Rebecca Rodgers
President
I am thrilled to be involved with the Hawkestone Board of Directors and this team in particular. Our board is full of committed, kind, talented individuals who are all willing to step forward when the time is right. It is such a privilege to learn from them.
I have lived in Oro-Medonte most of my life and Hawkestone for the last 27 years. I have a background in education and leadership, finishing my career as Executive Director at the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre.
I love most anything in the outdoors, particularly in self-propelled motion. I am inspired by excellence in any form and children’s choirs make me cry.
My partner Judy and I are grandmothers to six grandchildren who inspire us to be guardians of the environment and mindful of every precious moment spent together.
Jenny Emmans
Vice-President
(she, her)
Jenny is a longtime Hawkestone resident, having lived in the village throughout her childhood. She is an accomplished lawyer with her own law practice in Oro-Medonte. Jenny has experience on several boards over the years and is passionate about building and supporting communities. She is excited to be part of the Hawkestone Hall board and is looking forward to contributing to the ongoing success and vibrancy of the Hall and the local
Jason Argent
Past President
It is a pleasure to be supporting the Hawkestone Hall. My wife Linda and I moved to the area in 2000 and soon became actively engaged in the hall. I served several terms as President and Vice-President of the former board HAACA and Linda was the program/rental manager for many years.
Volunteering has always been a big part of my adult life (thanks to Linda’s encouragement). I was a Scout Leader and then Group Commissioner for 1st Hawkestone Scouting for 18 years and I am proud to say that we had one of the largest scout groups in our region. Linda and I also both taught Scottish Country Dancing for many years using the hall’s amazing hardwood floor and 100’s of kids had the opportunity to be part of Linda’s Summer Dance Camps at the hall.
I am a Professional Engineer and own JCL Technologies Inc based in Hawkestone. We specialize in customer machinery design and analysis for mining and other heavy industries. JCL’s core work has me traveling across North America and I have a small team of 4 employees.
Jordan Rooley
Treasurer
My family, and I have called Hawkestone home for the last 7 years. When we saw Hawkestone for the first time, I instantly said this is where I am going to get to retirement: The community was attractive with its nature aspect, close knit community and away from major urban areas.
I have always tried to be involved in my community in one form or another but over the last 8 years, I had gotten away from my roots. I chose to help the hall for two reasons: First and most important, is to set a great example for my two young sons on the importance of community involvement; and secondly, to ensure the hall stays in the community.
Being nominated as treasurer is an honour and my goal is to ensure we are helping our community out while maintaining the finances to run the operations. While I do not have previous board experience, I do run a successful and award-winning financial planning practice through the Bank of Nova Scotia and have been involved with financial services in Ontario for over 13 years.
Two things I am very passionate about: I am an avid sports fan (Blue Jays, Raptors, NASCAR, Patriots and Canadiens) and camping. We own an RV and go camping frequently throughout the spring, summer, and fall. I love being outdoors.
Judy Blaney
Secretary
Margo Semple
It’s sincerely a privilege to work alongside Becca and the rest of this great team. My husband, Steve, and I moved up this way in 2017, after retiring. We chose the area because it fulfilled our passion for lake life and the outdoors, while still being close to our kids and grandkids (our other passion). What I didn’t expect was how quickly I would build friendships in my new home. Hawkestone has been an important part of making that happen. Everyone is so friendly, there is so much community spirit, and there are so many good things happening that are benefiting our people.
It had been a while since I’ve done any serious volunteering so, when Becca mentioned the need for board members, I thought this would be something I could help with. I worked in the social service sector, in crisis intervention; the last 12 years as Executive Director. I’ve had experience organizing, planning, working with boards, and people in general. My hope is these skills will be of value to the team as we work together to keep Hawkestone vibrant. I’m looking forward to giving back to our community.
Beth Power
John Stokes
Board Members
Non-executive board members often take on special events, committees, clubs, and projects which improve the facilities, build community, provide recreational or creative outlets, etc. There are a surprising number of ways one can impact the community through this role while at the same time getting to know your neighbours and building a network of friends.
Address
3 Allen St.,
Oro-Medonte, ON L0L 1T0
Write to us:
hawkestonehall@gmail.com
Hawkestone Hallboard Meetings
3rd Monday of each month @ 7:00pm
Linda Argent-Ashe
Program Manager
Jason has given my bio in his collection of words lol, Beyond this I am a full time employee of Special Olympics and serve as the Vice President for Ontario. In this role I focus on stategic planning, board governance, government relations, grant development, HR for 50 employees, and organisational risk management. Special Olympics touches every community and in Ontario we offer sport programs and competitions to some 24,000 athletes with an intellectual disability supported by 12,000 volunteers. It is a tremendous grass roots organisation that also brings community together.I am so proud to be a part of the Hawkestone Community Hall and the growing number of volunteers who are dedicating their time and expertise to ensure that the hall is thriving and is reputed as the hub of the community. It has been a wonderful experience connecting to so many great and kind people, I feel very lucky to be a part of Hawkestone and the Township. I am very dedicated in my earnestness as the volunteer Program Director to facilitate a range of programs, activities and opportunities that secures and sustains the Hawkestone Community Hall as the Hub of our Community.
Fun Fact about the Argents! They are the proud parents of three large Rough Collies – Fergus, Angus and Duglass and two georgous siamess cats – Sheena and Shonaidh