Group fills E.R. town hall with culture

Life

Related Photos

Carol South

April 16, 2010

By CAROL SOUTH The Record Eagle Fri Apr 16, 2010, 07:46 AM EDT

ELK RAPIDS -- The keepers are in business and they're here to stay.

The town hall keepers, that is, a group of dedicated volunteers who comprise the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall Association. Formed 18 months ago and evolving into what members now affectionately call "HERTHA," the organization is dedicated to restoring the facility in downtown Elk Rapids into a vibrant gathering place.

They are booking the venue with a range of events that are making the hall, built in 1883, a center for culture and activities.

"It's just a really iconic, very charismatic building," said Marie Dolembo, executive director of HERTHA. "It's in a unique location on Lake Michigan for weddings and other destination events. It's very unique in that it's accessible in terms of affordability for people who would like to have a destination event in Elk Rapids."

Next week, the new Elk Rapids Players will debut for a six-show run of the Neil Simon classic "The Odd Couple." All proceeds from the shows will benefit HERTHA and organizers have high hopes for a good haul: Two previous fundraising plays for the building presented about 10 years ago netted $4,000 each.

Veteran actor and Elk Rapids resident Rob Ford, cast as Oscar in "The Odd Couple," appreciates having a local outlet for both actors and audience members alike.

"I've been in some stuff at the Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City and it's a long drive there," he said. "This is our backyard."

"I love this venue, this is my third play I've done here," Ford said.

Reg Bird is directing the eight actors in the show, the first community theater presented at the town hall since 2001. Bird has invested years in community theater in Antrim County and he appreciates the attributes of the venue.

"It's amazing, the acoustics are wonderful," said Bird of the Elk Rapids Town Hall, which features a raised stage, tin ceiling and theater seating for approximately 200 attendees.

Despite its downtown Elk Rapids location, the town hall belongs to the township, which used the building as offices until three years ago.

HERTHA now operates the building under a lease and management agreement with the township. Grants received so far to further the mission include a $5,000 grant by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, Elk Rapids Area Community Endowment, as well as a $4,800 grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

As word spreads, HERTHA Has a full event schedule booked for 2010, including plays by three different theater groups, wedding receptions, private parties and meetings.

"We've had to turn away people, it's so full," said Dolembo. "We're very happy and excited to be able to make this venue available to the community and visitors to northern Michigan."

Nearly 40 years ago, a group of mostly women saved the distinctive yellow-brick building from demolition, then organized to have it renovated in time for the 1976 bicentennial celebrations. The building is now on both the National and State Registries of Historic Places.

"It was built to be a town hall where a lot of activities over it's history have taken place, from meetings to dances to basketball games," said Dan LeBlond, president of the Elk Rapids Historical Society, which has a museum in the basement of the town hall, and a board member of HERTHA. "It's a flat-floored venue, not many of those in the United States."

"The Odd Couple" will be presented at the Elk Rapids Town Hall, 401 River St., April 20-24 at 8 p.m. and April 25 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors; call (800) 836-0717 or 995-1579.

For more information on the Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall Association or to purchase tickets online, see www.ertownhall.org.