The Whallonsburg Grange Hall, a non-profit community center in the Champlain Valley, has appointed a full-time manager, thanks to a generous grant from the Cloudsplitter Foundation. Cloudsplitter, based in Saranac Lake, is “dedicated to improving the future for the flora, fauna, communities, and people of the Adirondacks.”

The rebirth of the Grange Hall is the product of a large volunteer effort over the past eight years to save and renovate the 100-year old building and to reopen it as a thriving center for social, educational, and artistic programming. A growing audience, regional recognition for the quality and diversity of its events, partnerships with area farm groups and an increasing role as a community resource are just some of the reasons why the Grange Hall Board has hired Kate Ritter, of Essex, as its new full-time Manager. Ritter, who has worked part-time for the Grange since January 2016, has a professional background in music performance and a master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont.

A press conference will be held at the Grange on Thursday, March 16 at 10:30am to discuss the exciting next steps for the Grange Hall and its role in community development. There will be short presentations by Grange board president Andy Buchanan, Chenelle Plyswiat of the Cloudsplitter Foundation, and representatives from the Essex, Westport and Willsboro town boards, along with Grange partner organizations.