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 priviledge 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.
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.
Jenny Emmans
Secretary
(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 community.
Trudy O'Donnell
Canada Day Lead
Growing up on a farm in Hawkestone is a great childhood for anyone. I was lucky enough to be one of those kids. I took part in the community hall dances, East Oro activities and Park Street high school days. I worked at the Driftwood Restaurant until I left Hawkestone and moved to Toronto at 18 to go to college and university and returned with my husband 10 years ago. We have never looked back. We were looking for an opportunity to volunteer our time to a good cause and found a great cause with the Hawkestone Community Hall. I worked as a supervisor of daily operations and events at Casa Loma for 12 years before moving back home and these skills have been very helpful in organizing events like the Canada Day Parade. Through the hall we have met lots of good people we now consider friends-most know us by our dog George. I continue to work full time at Heidi’s RV and we love to travel and spend as much time as possible doing that.
Linda Argent
Program Manager
Jason [Past President] 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
Board Members
Non-executive board members include: Beth Power, Kristine Ronan, Brittney Huard, James Marlow, Karen Marlow, Warren Ryckman. These 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