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2- The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 11, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Historical society gets $75,000 grant Amber Door Spa to restore Old Palermo Schoolhouse Our award winning spa is the best kept secret in Oakville! Come in and relax your mind, body and soul By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF * Facials * Lifting Treatments * Microdermabrasion * Chemical Peels * Organic Treatments * Body Treatments * Manicures/Pedicures * Relaxation Massages * Hot Stone Massages * Reiki/Chakra Cleansing Gift Certificates Available "One is not born a woman, one becomes one." - Simone de Beauvoir OPEN HOUSE April 23rd 6 pm to 9 pm PLEASE RSVP Upper Middle Road Trafalgar Road Reeves Gate 3rd Line 1500 Heritage Way, Unit 6 Heritage Way N 905.469.4825 www.amberdoorspa.com QEW The Trafalgar Township Historical Society (TTHS) is rejoicing after being awarded a $75,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to restore the Old Palermo Schoolhouse. The school, built in 1942 to replace a school destroyed in a storm, was constructed in a turn of the century style. The historical society is hoping to use the schoolhouse in a program that will give children an idea of what school life was like a century ago, however, changes must be made if the building is to become the community hub many believe it can be. "It needs to be brought up to code," said Michelle Knoll of the TTHS. "We also need to redo the bathroom, so that it's wheelchair accessible." As the historical society had sought $135,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, it has insufficient resources to accomplish all the restorations it had hoped with the schoolhouse's basement still in need of funds for completion. Fortunately, help is coming from a number of sources including Bot Construction and Mattamy Homes which, Knoll said, are pitching in to help pave the schoolhouse's parking lot and restore its kitchenette. ONE-ROOM FIXER-UPPER: The Trafalgar Township Historical Society has received a $75,000 Ontario Trillium grant to restore the Old Palermo Schoolhouse. Members of the historical society are lighting. also volunteering their time and talents "Any kind of donations would be fanto make sure the tastic and we will be school is furnished in "Any kind of donations recognizing all a period-specific way. would be fantastic and we donors in the build"One of our mem- will be recognizing all ing and in other sigbers has just offered nificant ways," she donors in the building and in to build us a handsaid. made boardroom other significant ways.." When all is said table," said Knoll. and done the school"He has a knack for Michelle Knoll, house will educate Trafalgar Township Historical that sort of thing." groups of Grade 3 Knoll is also look- Society member students during ing for companies weekdays and serve that will help with flooring, drywall and as a meeting place for community groups who want to rent the space. The building will also house historical documents and photos from Trafalgar Township's past. As to when these programs will be up and running, Knoll is unsure. "We need 23 old desks. We need to set it up as a working classroom. We need a curriculum developed. We need to start promoting it to schools and we need to hire a teacher," said Knoll. "In terms of the building being ready for use, definitely by the summer. In terms of our full blown Grade 3 curriculum program, I'm thinking that's closer to March." This is not the first time the TTHS has faced challenges, having locked horns with several town councillors to obtain the schoolhouse's lease back in December. For Knoll, the struggle was well worth what has been gained. "It's really been nice to be involved because people who live in (former) Trafalgar Township are very appreciative that a piece of their history is going to be saved," she said. "One of our members said that he sees everything changing. He sees buildings being demolished, streetscapes changing and he takes pride in knowing that he has been involved in restoring the schoolhouse because he knows that that is one piece that will stay the same. It's fantastic to have been part of that." Individuals or businesses interested in helping to restore the Palermo Schoolhouse can call 905-829-3043. For more information on the TTHS visit their website at www.trafalgartownshiphistory.ca. oyster perpetual lady-datejust pearlmaster in 18kt yellow gold