Caledonia Argus

Way Station a way to gather in New Albin

Posted: 3/11/03

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Residents of New Albin are used to pulling together to accomplish things for the betterment of their community. A recent example is The Way Station, a gathering place that features a theater, resale shop, and craft store, and is currently undergoing renovations to provide a youth center on the upper floor.

The idea for such a place arose when some members of the community were working together two years ago at the annual Thanksgiving dinner that is served at the New Albin Community Center. The next month, at the annual Christmas dinner, the conversation continued, and the project just sort of snowballed, according to Kathleen Saleh, who is one of the board members. The group purchased a building in New Albin and began the work of remodeling it.

The driving force behind The Way Station is the Christian community of New Albin. The project had participation and received support from every single church in New Albin, said Saleh.

ìWeíve been amazed and blessed,î said Saleh.

Donations of labor, merchandise and materials and the support of the New Albin Savings Bank were instrumental in getting the project moving, Saleh added.

Located near the railroad tracks in New Albin, The Way Station features on its first floor a large resale shop with used clothes, toys and household items. To keep things simple, clothing is priced by the item: coats are $5; pants are $2 and so on. The response to the store has been very positive, and donations generous. The space that houses the retail area will soon be carpeted. Volunteers staff the store, which is open six days a week. Hours are Monday through Thursday and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Fridays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The store has been open since January 26, 2002.

The building also has a craft store called ìOn Eagles Wingsî which is rented by Karen Lee. It features a variety of handmade items, as well as rugs from Vince and Bernice Stark.

But the true centerpiece of The Way Station is its theatre. The theatre has 36 theatre seats, and a projection system which projects the movies onto a blank wall. All the movies shown are family-oriented, Saleh pointed out, and they are also free. There is a Friday evening show at 7 p.m. and Saturday afternoon show at 1 p.m. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show. The feature this weekend is ìMulan,î and the following weekend it is ìButtercream Gang.î On March 28 and 29, ìToy Storyî will be playing. Concessions are sold during the movies.

There are plans for the top floor of the building as well. Once a dance hall and then a granary, the work of cleaning up the space just to get started on the project has been extensive, but again, donated materials and labor are making the difference, and the space should be ready by this summer.

Plans for the space are to add restrooms, pool tables and foosball tables. It is intended primarily as a gathering place for youth, older adults will be welcome to visit as well.

ìIt will be a safe place for wholesome fun,î said Saleh.

The name of The Way Station comes from ìI am the way, the truth and the life,î (John14:6) a reference to Jesus Christ. But those who want to visit donít have to worry about being preached to, said Saleh. It is meant only as a place for people to come together for fun and fellowship.

For more information, contact Allen Meiners or Iyad or Kathleen Saleh.

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