(Earlville, NY – Aug. 2015) The scene was hot but civically engaged just outside the Earlville Opera House’s back door one Thursday afternoon. In the bright sunshine, four participants in the Summer Youth Employment program and their team leader labored in the bright sunshine, giving the EOH garden fence a stately coat of gray stain. On the other side of the fence, the bluestone patio the team laid last summer looked as fresh as the day it was finished. Around a historic 1892 theater, there are often more projects than there are hands to complete them, but having a team of eager summer workers here for the week is a big help.
Hailing from the Norwich area, Cassidy Harty, 16, Nate Tiffany, 15, Jason Everett, 17, Kaylee Beckwith, 18, and their team leader, Brian Campbell, 20, participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program though the Christian Neighborhood Center in Norwich. Campbell, who’s been with the program for several years, serves as chauffeur and chaperone, and keeps the team on task, while the crew members enjoy getting out of the house and having a positive impact on community programs. At least one member of this year’s team is a repeat participant. Beckwith notes that last year, she was at the Opera House painting the metal staircase that leads to the theater’s second story porch. One year later, the staircase fairly gleams.
Earlville Opera House board member Bruce Ward and executive director Patti Lockwood-Blais were in charge of deciding which projects the team should take on this year. Ward, an architect by trade, and a board member for three years, knows well the value of the work: “We’re thankful to have great workers to come and take care of our beloved old theater.”
Out front, ten black columns framing the Opera House’s portico wear a dusty coat of paint in need of touch-ups. Fortunately, help will soon be on the way: the columns are on the team’s project list for next week.
For more information, call 315-691-3550 or visit www.earlvilleoperahouse.com.
The Opera House is located at 18 East Main Street, in Earlville, NY.