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Elizabeth Rogers, the Marketing Director for the Prescott Elks Theater, enthralled us with her recounting of the history of of this historic gem located in downtown Prescott, across the street from the Hassayampa Inn, where our Sunup Rotary Club meets. Originally built at a cost of $15,000 by the BPOE (Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks), with construction started in 1904, it is no longer owned by, or connected to, an Elks Lodge. However, "Bill," the locally sourced copper Elk, still stands on top of the building, and the original stained glass clock that was placed in the building by the Brotherhood of Elks can still be viewed in an upstairs window, with its hands pointing to 11 o'clock when, in Elks' tradition, a toast is made to absent members.. The building is now owned by a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization, the Prescott Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center. The Prescot Elks Theater is a classically designed turn of the 20th century opera house seating over 500. Completed in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Elks Building and Theater, it was one of many "Elks' Opera Houses" across the country. Now, over a hundred years later, only one still exists — this one in Prescott. Elizabeth noted that today it has become the favorite venue for theme bands, with over 60 of them coming to Prescott to perform in this historic theater every year. However, her favorites on each year's calendar are the Murder Mystery Dinners, which she created and coordinates, and which are always sold-out events. The theater in the beginning was the host to minstrel shows, balls, plays and theater performances. Movies arrived with the silent era about 1915. In 1929 sound was added and the "talkies" had arrived. Movies continued to be shown till the 1980s, with classic movies now once again being shown. After many changes of private ownerships the opera house was turned over to Arizona Community Foundation in the early 1980s. Then began the effort to return the opera house to its original glory. The opera house was purchased by the City of Prescott in 2001. The Foundation in partnership with the City began the restoration with the lobby, green room, dressing rooms and other parts of the building, along with the theater. Restoration was finally completed by the Foundation and the City in 2010. It was at that time that the building was sold to the nonprofit organization which currently owns and operates it. The mission of the ETPAC is to enhance the community of Prescott by providing space for practice, rehearsal and training of the performing arts. In addition to the beautiful theater, on the second floor are two state of the art professional dance studios, along with five Wenger music and voice isolation practice booths. Plans are in the works to include a digital recording board. The third floor has two separate banquet halls with a total floor capacity of 200 people and a whole floor sound system, including a well-equipped chef's kitchen. Also during our fining and Happy Dollars part of our meeting last Wednesday, the club collected $467 to send to Rotary District 5000 in Hawaii to help those in Lahaina, on the island of Maui, who lost everything from the devastating wildfire. Thanks to all for your generous and caring donations! The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. The Family of Rotary extends beyond individual Rotarians and Rotary clubs to include other service-minded people who help with the organization’s work. Rotaract, Interact, and Rotary Community Corps serve side by side with their sponsor Rotary clubs, using their diverse skills to improve the quality of life in their communities, and in other communities around the world. CLUB SERVICE Congratulations to Xiao Zhu Clancy, Todd's wife, upon achieving her U.S. Citizenship. John Stewart is arranging for a small celebration of her new citizenship at this week's club meeting.  There were two men shipwrecked on an island. The minute they got on to the island one of them started screaming and yelling, "We're going to die! We're going to die! There's no food! No water! We're going to die!"
The second man was propped up against a palm tree and acting so calmly it drove the first man crazy. "Don't you understand?!? We're going to die!!"
The second man replied, "You don't understand, I make $100,000 a week."
The first man looked at him quite dumbfounded and asked, "What difference does that make?!? We're on an island with no food and no water! We're going to DIE!!!"
The second man answered, "You just don't get it. I make $100,000 a week and I tithe ten percent on that $100,000 a week. My pastor will find me!" __ I went to the zoo today and there were two baguettes in a cage. The sign said they were bread in captivity. __ A blonde was visiting the zoo and reached the big cat exhibit. She said to the man next to her, “I wonder what these tigers would say if they could talk.” He replied, “I’m pretty sure they would say. ‘We’re leopards.’” __ |
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