November 12,2012
The old Orr's Island Schoolhouse is now a more inviting place for special events thanks to a series of improvements recently made to the historic building.
The old Orr's Island Schoolhouse is now a more inviting place for special events thanks to a series of improvements recently made to the historic building.
In response to frequent concerns, a group of custom designed acoustical panels were installed in the ceiling to help control noise in the former school, which is managed by the adjacent Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department.
Venise Minkowsky, chair of the OBIFD Schoolhouse committee, said Steve Normand, a local architect and OBIFD board member, came up with the design for a wooden frame with acoustical ceiling panels and egg crate foam. The framed panels, called “clouds,” were then suspended from the ceiling with the assistance of David Bunge and his crew, which included fire department members Walter Johnson, Ed Blain and Steve Minkowsky.
The panels cost about $2,400 to build and were paid for with $2,000 donated by five generous local contributors and other money from recent fund-raisers, Venise Minkowsky said. Since the panels were installed, users of the building have reported much better acoustics, she said.
In addition to the sound panels, the building's kitchen also received an upgrade with the installation of a more modern and larger stove and refrigerator. The year-old appliances, purchased from a seller in Standish for $3,000, give the facility commercial-grade kitchen appliances for the first time.
“It's a Wolf commercial stove with 30,000 BTUs, two ovens and eight burners,” Venise Minkowsky said. “We spoke to four different caterers who told us that purchasing a commercial stove versus a residential one makes a big difference to them because of the BTUs.”
An important part of Harpswell history, the former two-room school for island children is now used for a variety of community, public and private events,. The schoolhouse is self-supporting, depending on income from event rentals, fundraisers and donations to maintain the building and grounds.
For more information about the schoolhouse, please contact Venise Minkowsky at 833-7386, Maureen Anthoine-Orlandini at 833-6428 or visit www.orrsislandschoolhouse.com.
For more information about the schoolhouse, please contact Venise Minkowsky at 833-7386, Maureen Anthoine-Orlandini at 833-6428 or visit www.orrsislandschoolhouse.com.