The Newberry Opera House Guild will be meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Newberry Opera House to both welcome those interested in joining the group and to recognize and remember former and present members.

In conjunction with the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Opera House’s grand re-opening after its nearly $6 million restoration, the Guild hopes to re-focus by celebrating its membership and mission as a fundraising arm of the Newberry Opera House Foundation Board.

First organized some 14 years ago by a group of ladies who wished to help sustain the success of the Newberry Opera House by planning, promoting, and presenting various fundraisers, the group has now raised well over a quarter of a million dollars for the Opera House. The most recent fundraiser was the Luau which was held in conjunction with the Eclipsefest activities.

Past and present members are encouraged to attend the September meeting and are also encouraged to bring a friend or guest who might want to join the group. In addition, anyone interested in joining the group is certainly welcome.

The Guild is an open service organization that simply asks $40 a year for membership fees ($20 for members under 30 years of age) and the willingness to help support the arts and the Newberry Opera House through whatever talent one might have in the time they can give to the cause.

From being an organizer to being willing to help clean up after an event, everyone’s efforts are needed and appreciated. The next big fundraiser is the Guild’s annual oyster roast which will be held on Sunday, Nov. 12.

Normally the Guild meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Rehearsal Hall of the Opera House. This special membership meeting and social, however, will be held on the second Tuesday of September (Sept. 12) in the theater itself with a light dinner served afterwards in the Rehearsal Hall.

After a short business meeting, there will be a program to welcome new and potential members and to recognize charter members and past presidents of the Guild. A presentation will be made to acquaint the members with the history of both the Opera House and that of the Guild itself.

The Guild cordially extends this invitation to new members and to its former and current membership. Co-Presidents Anne Burris and Laurel Gustafson and Membership Chairs Betty Chandler and Christy Pomeroy look forward to welcoming new, charter, former, and current members and are excited about the expansion in membership which means an even stronger base for supporting our Newberry Opera House.

The Guild is a team effort and is recruiting new players to join up. Working toward a goal and giving back to our community is a noble effort, but the Guild strives to go beyond that by forging new friendships and having a good time together.

Denise Reid Contributing Columnist
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_DSC_0751.jpgDenise Reid Contributing Columnist