The Late April Storm did not stop Megan Thibeault wonderful performance

On April 24th despite it being a very stormy night with a spring snowstorm raging,  concert -goers in the Rexton area were treated to an evening of classical piano music at St. Andrew’s United Church.  Pianist Megan Thibeault was home from Ottawa for a short visit and performed her repertoire which she had prepared for the 2014  Canadian Music Competition in Halifax.

Megan has completed her Masters in Piano Performance from the University of Ottawa and is continuing her piano studies this summer at Le Centre D’arts Orford in Quebec.  She delighted the audience with selections by; Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt, Prokofiev, Scarlatti and Olivier Messiaen. Megan also provided her audience with some background information on the each of the selected pieces and their composers.

With the unseasonal storm keeping many people home and off the dangerous roads, the audience helped to raise over $600.00 for the St. Andrew’s Restoration Fund!  Megan was delighted to perform in this historical setting with its outstanding natural acoustics.

It was also an opportunity to hear 118 year old Heinseman piano which has recently been revived from storage in the church hall. The audience thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to hear such beautiful music in our lovely old church.

If you wish to hear one of the pieces Megan played on April 24th, she has uploaded the Olivier Messiaen piece – “Selections from Vingt regards sur l’enfant Jesus” – on Youtube.

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Restoration progress update – the interior

I thought it was time that I give you all another update on the progress made since late last autumn, as well as during the winter (which seems to be still continuing given the latest snowfall).

Bit by bit we are working our way through restoring our church with the generous support of not just the community, but also people from afar. Thanks to the constant fund raising efforts we have raised more than $576,000 to date! The revised estimate of $725,000 will be needed to complete the renovations for Phase II – or $149,000 to go.

Around the middle of October we installed our new boiler and heating system. Mr. Jim Morris of Moncton generously donated the boiler. We chose a propane boiler because of its energy efficiency. The new boiler operated well throughout a very cold winter. I think that everyone was glad for the warmth during the services. We received an Energy N.B. rebate for our energy efficient boiler.

G.L. Cassie Ltd of Richibucto installed the new boiler, and a new air exchanger in the basement to control the humidity and moisture in the building. They also installed a new water system, including a hot water tank, our new bathroom and a set tub in the basement for the janitor.

The church was completely rewired to bring it up to standard and all new light fixtures throughout the interior.

The railing on the steps leading to the stage/choir has been extended for safety, and we have removed the old worn carpet.

By the end of November we replaced the colour glass windows at the front of the church.

The work on Phases I and II continues in 2014. Upcoming work will include:

  • New front doors with new casings, repairs to entrance 
window and mouldings
  • Exterior pillar work not finished last fall
  • Additional drywall installation to entire sanctuary
  • Floor refinishing
  • New balcony railing and emergency exit
  • Second washroom
  • Storm window repair
  • Complete interior painting
  • New front steps and walkways
  • Landscaping

Phase III will add an architecturally matching extension housing offices and multipurpose space for the entire community.

We need your help to continue the work of bringing this Rexton landmark back to life! Your valued donation at this time, large or small, will help complete the journey. We greatly appreciate all contributions.

– Paul Warren

 

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The 2nd Annual Harvest Gala Dinner and Dance was a huge success.

The goal was to sell all 300 tickets and we did!  We more than doubled the amount of corporate tables sold.

When people entered the hall, they walked through a beautifully decorated and lit archway and were greeted by Noreen and Norma.

Each of the ladies attending the gala received a lovely organza gift bag filled with a specialty soap and face cream generously donated by Olivier Soaps.

The hall was a glitter with over 170 tea lights and candles.  The individual table centre pieces were made up of  a tall vase filled with long ornamental branches and sunflowers.  Tealights hung from the branches, which were supported at the base of the vase with acorns, chestnuts and miniature gourds.  These were designed to be in keeping with the harvest theme.  The visual impact was spectacular.

Guests dined on a four-course gourmet dinner consisting of the following:

First course: Pumpkin Coconut Soup, topped with toasted pumpkin seeds
Second course:  Mixed greens topped with mandarin orange sections, toasted walnuts and pickled red onions.
Main course:  Seasoned maple glazed boneless chicken thighs topped with a corn salsa; cranberry stuffing;  buttered chive mashed potatoes and garlic butter French green beans
Dessert:  Ginger cake topped with rum sauce, raspberries and a dollop of whipped cream

Once again, everyone danced the night away to the live music of Pete Porter’s Orchette.

We were happy to announce that the funds raised for the St. Andrews Restoration fund totalled  $9,786.86.

Thank you to Norma Raine and Noreen Langdon for generously donating their talents and time to another wonderful gala!

 

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