Centennial Challenge Issued
By Chandler to Kimball Library

Kimball Public Library and its friends have received a softball challenge from the Chandler Center for the Arts.

The softball game, which will be played next Aug. 19, is designed as the kickoff of an entire year of events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the dedication of Chandler Music Hall.

For Kimball, the game is a chance to prove that bookish people can indeed hold their own in athletic encounters.

The challenge was delivered last Wednesday evening, when a delegation from the Chandler board startled Kimball's board of directors by visiting their monthly meeting. The delegation presented a Proclamation that read in part:

"Whereas: The mutual histories of Chandler Music Hall and Kimball Library have been entwined from the moment of their joint conception; and

"Whereas: Both Chandler Music Hall and Kimball Library have reached the estimable age of One Century (Kimball having reached it in 2003, Chandler in 2007) but nevertheless evince a vigor that belies their years, bursting with vitality and spirit..."

The softball game, according to the challenge, will follow a parade to the Little League ballfield from Mari-Castle on Main Street-the house Albert B. Chandler built for his wife.

It is timed to coincide as closely as possible with the Aug. 20. dedication of the Music Hall and its adjoining building, both of which were a gift by Col. Chandler to Bethany Church at the time. The church later gave the Music Hall to the town; and, still later, the former church parish house, now the gallery, was purchased from the church.

It is hoped that the gala event will include costumes and picnicking as well as a lusty game of softball.

Col. Chandler and Col. Robert Kimball were friends at the beginning of the last century, and the story goes that each agreed to build a cultural landmark for his native town-the music hall and the library.

Thus, the challenge carried to the library board concludes with the thrilling words:

"Let the best colonel win!"

Anyone interested in helping organize and manage this bicentennial event is asked to contact Becky McMeekin at Chandler.