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)1’ WimHNrthrtConfunity Hall is soon to be demolished. ., JULY 7, 1217's“ The building was once a Methodist Episcopal Church . built sometime before 1850. The bell for the church was brought over from Scotland in 1886, it has been/ described as having the finest tone in the County. J [NorthpOrtchâ€"urch be" ' donated-to museum -' . Fear of vandalism has prevented the residents of ' Ndrthport from constructing a cairn in which to install the bell from the old Northport United Church. The church built sometime. ‘before 1850 is falling into disrepair and has been condem- ned. It is to be torn down sometime this year, it was decided at a community meet- ' Sunda . m1";I‘he bill, weighing 500 pounds, is originally from Scotland. It was brought over from Scotland and installed in 1886. Many/ of the older reSidents of Northport express- ed the wish that the bell remain in the community as some form of monument remembering the old church. . . . At the meeting, discussmn centered on how to have the building torn down and how to .sell the roperty on which 15 stands. lans for included the construction of the cairn in the village park, the construction of a monument at the local parsonage (the manse) or the loaning of the bell to the County Museum. After some. discussion it was decided to take the latter course because of the recent rash of vandalism in this area. ' Those attending the meeting recalled how a cement barbeque the bell ‘ had been torn down and felt that no matter what Steps were taken to safeguard the be“ it would eventually be damaged. :It was also recalled that 01106 vandals had broken into the church and began ringing the [Continued from Front] Manly Benson. The charge for the Northport church included Woodville, Mount Carmel, Solmesville and Bethesda. Records 'of a Sunday school exist from 1883 with lesson - leaflets from 1874. The Sunday school contained a library from the Mechanic's Institute. I The old parsonnage was sold and a new one built in 1900. In 1956 fire extensively damaged the exterior of the church, however. it was repaired and redecorated within the follow- ing year. Also a new heating system was installed at that time. The church was sold in 1967 when the Northport congrega- tion amalgamated with that of Demorestville. Attempts were made at that time to turn it into a community centre, however, Church bell preserved the attempt was unsuccessful due to lack of participation. The committee responsible for the community hall reported a current balance of $499.84 and found it did not have enough to pay for the demolition at the moment. Concern was express- ed that the building could collapse and fall on someone or a passenger. It was decided as unwise to sell the building and lot as is because there could be no guarantee that the building would be demolished. It was suggested that the building be given away with all its contents in return for a guarantee that it would be torn down. However, after consulta- tion with a realtor by phone it was realized that the property sale could 'pay for the demoli- tion. . A motion was made that the property be listed with United Trust Realty for $3,000 and after a buyer had been found then the demolition could be carried through. It was also decided to donate six tables to the Friendship church as well as three plaques enscribed with the names of Northport resiâ€" dents killed during the First and Second World Wars. The plaques are to be placed in thc Friendship Church alongsidl similar plaques from Elmbrookl The remaining 'contentl including lights, plates, stove and a furnace, as well as othe‘ furnishings will be auctioned of by Creighton Carr as soon a the material is taken to thl auction hall, it was decided. 1 l bell. much to thexfiscoml‘ort af‘ ‘ the people aWakened.., A motion was made::that "the bell be given‘on’ loan from the Northport community toPrince Edward County Museum for safekeeping and was passed. By 1850 there were three Methodist churches. in Nort- f hport, Wesleyan, Methodist Episcopal and New Connexion Methodists. The church in its present form was constructed in 1886 as the Methodist Episcopal was rebuilt and remodelled by the united efforts of all three groups. as well as the Quakers. An alcove, porch and helfr tower were added with bell installed that year. New wind0ws were put in and brick siding was put on the frame exterior. The work was comple- ted at a cost of $1,700. ‘It was announced at the Sunday evening meeting that the lowest tender for demolition received amounted to $1,950. The dedication service was ' preached by the Reverend V [Continued on Page 3] WWW, ' Katherine Pearce, Naomi MacDonald: Active golfer honored “What do you buy an 80-year~old athlete?" That was the question president of the Picton Ladies Golf Club, asked members at a special luncheon held Tuesday in honor of one of their members, Naomi MacDonald. After completing 18 holes, the spry and -vivacious Miss MacDonald entered the Picton Golf Club for lunch, where she was surprised by about 50 friends and fellow golfers. Following lunch she was presented with a trophy sport- ing the words, “80 years young" and a second trophy, which will be awarded annually to the top ”Golden Girl" player, in honor of her. “This trophy will be awarded annually to the top golfer who admits to being 50 years or older," commented Mrs. Pearce. “We thought of buying her a new golf bag but now the bags are made bigger than Naomi." An avid golfer. for many Years, Miss MacDonald told the women she still hopes to golf for a few more years. uEveryone that knows me, knows the golf club is my secondhome. When they ask if I'll be at home I say they most likely will find me here at the club. In the summer it is where I usually can be found," remarked the birthday girl. Miss MacDonald is no occas- ional golfer. She can usually be found playing in any of the women's tournaments held at the club and is a regular player all during the summer season. When asked to what she attributes her agility she remarked, “Well I come from a line of long-livers. My grand mether lived until she was 955 and was bright and alert until the very end. That is the way I want to be." " _ When asked for a few words of wisdom, she flashed her impish smile and stated. “Oh, I'm too youn to ive you any Words of wis om. sit a couple of years until I‘m about 83." _ The celebration wasn't Just another birthday luncheon to the members. To them Naomi is something Special. She has a handicap of 33 and is always quick to smile, onerous and is a pleasure to go] with, according to the members. Her zest for life can be described by a comment made by one of the members. "She wears red, white and blue sneakers. She is more hip to it than the rest of us.” 'Mrs. Pearce told the members that in other sports, clubs wait until the athlete is 45 and retired, and then waits another 10 years before they : .w. . .‘ ' ‘. . \ place the athlete in the respective Hall of Fame. “We can't wait for Naomi to retire'any longer before we put her in our Hall of Fame. She is 80 and still isn't thinking of retirement." 1 '4; .. w‘ . “iv '. Naomi MacDonald was honored by members of the women’s division of the Picton Golf and Country Club Tuesday when she was presented with a trophy sporting the words ”80 years young". A trophy for the top scorer for women aged 50 and more will be presented annually and is in remembrance of Miss MacDonald. Miss MacDonald is eligible to compete for it next year when she once again plans on heading for the greens.