Myno Van Dyke and Crystal Yaki are sizing up the corner stone as preparations are under way for the July 1, 2022 kick-off event for next year’s 100th year anniversary of the Newcastle Community Hall. In 1921 Chester Massey told the community that “he would build the best community hall you could ever have here.” Massey funded everything, which in those days was $150,000. July 1, 1921 was the day that they officially laid the cornerstone with representatives from this community and representatives from the Massey family. Unfortunately, due to illness Chester was unable to come that day. So, he sent Vincent Massey, his son, who incidentally, became the first Canadian born Governor General of Canada. Chester died just a few years after the hall was built. This year on July 1 the 100th Anniversary Committee will be recreating the laying of the cornerstone. They are replicating it as much as possible, inviting people to dress as they did in the 20s and are looking for representatives from the various families that were part of the original ceremonies.
