Volunteers restore old building
By LEWIS DELAVAN Editor

GUIDING THE CUT LEWIS DELAVAN PHOTO Jack Howell (center) saws a cypress board donated by Gary Halpain. Guiding it are Paul O'Brien (foreground) and Buddy Pritchett. The original boards' appearance is being replicated to maintain the appearance of the century-old building. Leading the work are Scott Salmela and his Hog Heaven Construction crew. Volunteers hope donations will be made to the Avilla Extension Homemakers Club. They pledge the building will be ready for the primary election on Tuesday, May 20.

Vandals wanted to destroy a legacy, but the Avilla community has pulled together to preserve the community center.

An arsonist set fire to Avilla Community Center recently.

Firemen quickly extinguished the blaze in the century-old building on Congo-Avilla Road.

A host of volunteers are working hard to ensure the old schoolhouse is ready to serve as a polling site in this month's primary election.

"We've got all these really nice people helping out," said Barbara Howell of Lake Norrell.

Donations are needed, and can be sent to Avilla Extension Homemakers treasurer Myra Pritchett.

HELPING REBUILD LEWIS DELAVAN PHOTO Barbara Howell, Dick Hoffman, Mildred Troboy, Linda Acree, Scott Salmela and Myra Pritchett are among volunteers helping repair the Avilla Community Center.

Scott Salmela of Lake Norrell has donated some 300 hours of labor through his company, Hog Heaven Construction, and estimated recently he'd donate another 300 hours before the project was completed.

Gary Halpain donated cypress boards for longevity and to maintain the original appearance.

Other key donors mentioned by volunteers were Jones Glass of Benton, Wholesale Electric of Benton and Sherwin-Williams of Bryant.

Opportunities to win a quilt made by the Avilla EHC members may be obtained at six tickets for $5, or $1 each, at Avilla Grocery.

Anyone with information on the fire is urged to call the Saline County Sheriff's Department's Criminal Investigation Division at 303-5608.

REPLACING GLASS LEWIS DELAVAN PHOTO Bryan Finney, Jones Glass, removes damaged glass in preparation for installing new panes. DOVETAILING LEWIS DELAVAN PHOTO Allen Byers hand cuts a dovetail in a newly sawn cypress board.