Current Uses
This proved to be a busy summer at the Middlebury Community House; three functions are previewed here.
The MHS Class of 1957 had a morning coffee break as part of their 50th reunion, a nice meeting locations, before taking a bus tour of Middlebury. Right, the MUHS Class of 1967 held a catered picnic on the grounds of the Community House followed by a tour of the historic house. Several women from the class recalled a "Tea" held in their honor their Senior year at MUHS.
The National Bank's Horizon Club was invited for a "Tea and Tour" of the Community House in July. Twenty-four members enjoyed learning about the history of the house and how the property is used today. Pat and Lynda held tours while Phyllis Cunningham hosted the refreshments.
The Board of Directors is pleased that such lovely guests use the Community House and find a bit of comfort each month.
Call Pat to schedule your event at 802-388-2071
Letter From New Partner
Dear Partners:
I received a copy of Middlelbury Community House News from my friend of 78 years, Aris Warren Butler from Bristol, Vermont. Phyllis Cunningham will remember us both. Aris and I had our 1st “Tea” (around 1930 or so) at The Community House - dressed up in “old fashion dresses” - we put lemon and milk in our tea and were very surprised with the curdling results. We also spent many hours at Girl Scout Meetings in the basement rooms with Mrs. Howard as our leader. I am a professional home manager (my own) and living by myself with my golden retriever at the age of 82 (me). This little $15 I am sending is representing hours and hours of my hometown memories.
- Jane Denton Parliman
SUMMER PLAY GROUP
I spoke with Carol Brush Cummings, who worked at the Middlebury
Community House summer program during her high school years. (Late 1950
early 1960’s.) I also worked there a few summers shortly after she got
done (Mid 60’s). We enjoyed comparing our memories and hope you enjoy
learning a little more about how the house was used in the past. The
children attending were three to seven years old, the program was run
during the morning hours. Activities included time on the playground,
creative time in the house’s lower level for art projects, and had a
snack of crackers or cookies and a drink. Children learned to interact
with others without the comfort of their parents being near.
Carol remembered the children love for the merry-go-round, the tall slide and the jungle gym on the playground. Both of us commented on how careful we needed to be not to have the children scared when the fire alarm rang at 11:15 each day. The alarm would blast only three times most days, but on Friday, it “sang out” longer. This was the day we made sure the children were all inside watching a puppet show or singing songs. Carol really enjoyed the children and recalls one little boy, presenting her with a ring from a Cracker Jacks box and asking her to marry him.
When I worked at the play school, Jessica Swift
was living in Middlebury and she would join us each Friday morning for
an hour or so. She was an audience for the children when they preformed
at the end of each week. Children would dance around the May Pole, hold
puppet shows, parades, or other such activity. On Friday the children
would get cookies and punch instead of crackers and water. Both of us
agreed this was a great job for a teenager and allowed us the
opportunity to make a little money doing something we enjoyed.
Times have changed and the house is being scheduled differently now. Pat Hornbeck, current house director loves seeing the house used throughout the year.
The calendar for the Community House has in the past matched the school schedule, but this year Pat is scheduling some events for the summer months.
The groups that have enjoyed the hospitality of the Community House recently are Middlebury Friends, Woman's Club, Garden Club, Vermont Public Radio, Danforth Pewters, Frog Hollow Crafts (jury selection), Addison County Hospice support group and the Red Hat Society.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Get togethers have been held for birthday parties, receptions and teas.
Each year the Community House hosts Santa for the Middlebury Business
Association, pot luck dinners for the Milk and Honey Quilters and many
other holiday gatherings.
HOLIDAY SEASON
The Middlebury Garden Club
decorates the House for the Holiday season and people love to see their
creative efforts. Pat is an organized gracious hostess and keeps the
activities at the house running smoothly.
SANTA VISITS
Santa visits are always a big hit with parents,
grandparents and children in the area. This is a joint venture with the Better Middlebury Parternship
THE COMMUNITY COTTAGE
The Community Cottage is used for meeting and functions daily. Over
1000 people a month utilize the space. The cottage, built in the 1960s,
is on Seymour Street, behind the main house and next to the fire
station. This building fills a substantial need within the community.
Both meeting spaces are scheduled by Pat, the house director, by calling 802-388-2071.
