In 1963 a committee was appointed to buy a furnace, and a pump for the kitchen; a lobster supper was held to pay for same. Further improvements followed fast: a centennial grant of $1084 was re- ceived for building a new kitchen, which cost $2400; the balance was paid off by holding suppers in the hall. In 1966 a ceiling fan was installed, new shutters made for the windows, and four large tables constructed for use at suppers. David MacKinnon was in charge of card parties at this time; 22 were held on Thursdays during the year. In 1968 the trustees were: for West Covehead, Leith MacMillan and Lowell Younker; for Covehead Road, Harold MacDonald and Victor Deacon; and for Stanhope, Beth Ellis and Alvin MacLauchlan. Leith MacKinnon was Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer, and Ira Marshall was J anitor-Caretaker.

Between 1970 and 1973 the following work was done at the hall: The roof was shingled and the exterior painted; the grounds levelled and partly landscaped, and a flagpole with flag was put up. Inside, a new ceiling was ,put in, the walls were panelled, and additional electric wiring and light fixtures installed. A bathroom with running cold water was built off the old back kitchen, and a double sink with cold water and a jet pump was installed in the new kitchen, where linoleum flooring was laid. The stage walls were papered, and a new floor built in the back kitchen. We received an anodised aluminum plaque from the Centennial Commission to mark our having been the first group to apply for a grant (for building the new kitchen).

In 1974, in accordance with requirements set out by the Provincial Fire Marshal and the Chief Electrical Inspector, electric circuits were re-arranged; 2 fire extinguishers purchased; the furnace room was fireproofed; the front door changed to open outwards; and 2 exit lights and a light and emergency switch for the furnace installed. The three Women’s Institutes each raised $275 to pay for this work.

In 1975 the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers were holding their meetings on Wednesday evenings and the Guides and Brownies on Thursdays, before the card parties; it was voted that money donated by the three W.I.’s should be used to subsidise the hall rentals for these youth groups. Weekly card parties were held, the entrance fee now being $1.00, with cash prizes of $3.00, $2.00 and $1.50. Each district was responsible for 5 weeks of card parties during the winter; George Shaw was appointed Captain for Stanhope, Sterling Younker for West Covehead and Harvey MacDonald for Covehead Road. At this time the trustees were: for Stanhope, Beth Ellis and Alvin MacLauchlan; for West Covehead, Gayle MacDonald and Sterling Younker; and for Covehead Road, Pat Morrison and Harvey MacDonald. The Chairman of trustees was Victor Deacon, the Treasurer was Lawrence Quick and the Secretary Doreen ’MacInnis. Fire insurance was increased this

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