Will’s Shop ‘n Save contribution will get Central Hall kitchen cooking

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Central Hall project, which is repurposing the late 19th century-era building on East Main Street and keeping the structure as a part of the community, is progressing and another step in the process will be carried out thanks to the generosity of a local business owner.
Will’s Shop ‘n Save owners Will and Melissa Wedge recently made a contribution to become the sponsors of the kitchen for the event center to be located on the upper floor of Central Hall. To thank them for the donation, Maine Highlands Senior Center President Dr. Lesley Fernow and Capital Campaign Chair Dr. Richard Swett presented the Wedges with a sign on Jan. 27 that will be displayed in the kitchen when the facility opens.
“We are trying to use this a kind of a launching pad for other businesses,” Will Wedge said about getting more corporate sponsors involved at Central Hall.
Wedge said he and his wife are honored to help the project because “this magnificent facility represents so much to the greater Dover-Foxcroft community in regard to its important role for our seniors in the near future.” He said he believes a healthy community is vital to the success of all area businesses.
Over the years Will’s Shop ‘n Save has proudly supported a number of groups and projects that provide opportunities for youth and adults including the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis, the annual Maine Maple Sunday Breakfast, the Piscataquis River Race, backpack programs at the SeDoMoCha School, Foxcroft Academy booster clubs, the Center Theatre and Piscataquis Regional YMCA.
The grocery store is also a weekly partner of the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard and its mission to feed area families.
Wedge said the team at Will’s Shop ‘n Save believe it is their mission to help the community so everyone prospers and are proud of the community. Wedge said he hopes other businesses will get behind the Central Hall project — various naming rights are available — and make the building a point of pride for the region.
The event center, which will be managed by the Center Theatre, includes a stage and floor space in addition to the Will’s Shop ‘n Save-sponsored kitchen to be housed in a new 12-foot addition for two floors on the west side of the building. The upper level is scheduled to be the first of three project components — the lower level will be the home of the Adult Day Service Center and Maine Highlands Senior Center — to be ready and open to the public.
So far just over $1.6 million million of the $2 million project has been raised, with contributions having come from nearly 400 individuals and organizations as well as grants.
Construction has been carried out in part by the work release program from Charleston Correctional and elsewhere in Central Hall local contractors are making the upgrades whenever possible. Project officials have made an effort to use local suppliers and contractors whenever possible and they estimate 75 cents of every $1 spent on construction has stayed local.
No town funds have gone toward the project. Central Hall is currently deeded to the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society — this move was done to enable for brownfields clean-up grant monies to be used to remove lead paint and some asbestos — but ownership will return to Dover-Foxcroft in the future.
Tax-deductible contributions can be made via check to The Maine Highlands Senior Center P.O. 693 Dover-Foxcroft ME 04426 or through Paypal at www.centralhallcommons.org.
More information on contributions can be had by emailing Dr. Fernow at lmfernow@rcn.com; Swett at randcswett@aol.com or Mary Annis at mannis@myfairpoint.net.
For more information on the project in general, please contact Chris Maas at 924-4553 or chrism@roadrunner.com.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
WILL’S SHOP ‘N SAVE KITCHEN AT CENTRAl HALL — Will’s Shop ‘n Save owners Will and Melissa Wedge, center holding a new sign, recently made a contribution to become the corporate sponsors of the kitchen for the event center to be located on the upper floor at Central Hall on East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft. The Wedges are hoping other area businesses will get behind the Central Hall project, which will include adult day service and senior centers on the first floor. Pictured with the Wedges is Maine Highlands Senior Center President Dr. Lesley Fernow, left, and Capital Campaign Chair Dr. Richard Swett.