Many Memories
Of Chandler

As the historical society has been dredging up information for the various people working on the various aspects of the "Chandler Project", many fond memories for me are dredged up.

Even from 7-8th grades I remember as school groups coming "into town" from Randolph Center to see special programs performed at Chandler. Though memory is not clear, it is likely the performances were a variety; from the high school Carnival Plays, local folks doing semi-pro plays and even professionals coming from all over to do musicals and dramatics.

Some school classes also had the option of coming in to sit through the town meetings. Even those I liked!

When I finally came to town for good, for schooling that is, Chandler had other aspects for me. The students went across the street from the 1911 school for hot lunch in the Parish Hall. That wasn't only a feeding place for students, but organizations such as Rotary met there for meetings and dinners. I waited on table for the Bigelows, serving the various groups. Some of the individuals I remember, in particular some editor's father.

The high school had musical performances and the Carnival Plays at the Chandler. The Carnival Plays were one act contest plays, in which each class performed.

Though by the time graduation came for me, 1958, when graduation was held at the "new high school", those previous were held at Chandler.

I was reminded of another small thing upon reading this past week's Herald article of a curtain fire at Chandler. I so recall sitting in one of the seats with the main curtain down, reading; "curtain protected by asbestos". Wonder where that curtain went. Wonder if it had to be destroyed because it was learned that asbestos was not a healthy protection. At any rate Chandler Music Hall was a gift to us of which we can be proud and need to keep it going another 100 years!

Harriet Chase

Randolph