A little bit of "somewhere else" right here in our little town of Friend, NE. Imagine that! Yesterday was a crazy-fun day at the PHouse. We had visitors from the west, who were headed to watch the Husker's victory. We had visitors from the east, who were escaping the craziness of those Husker fans... and we had a few locals pop in for a late lunch. Nice mix of folks, and all were really interesting to chat with.
The group of four (from Lincoln, Omaha, Beaver Crossing) were particularly fun because they shared a love for the restoration and renovation of the Warren Building. Tami took the time to show them the Opera House photo album, and Tina chatted them up about all the work the Historical Society had done to help get the PHouse, San Carlo & Mary Mary up and going. By the time I walked in the door, they were ready for a tour. So, tour we did. We strolled the San Carlo and talked about our mural depicting Hwy 6 in 1915. We checked out the super cool newly donated cheese cleaver that was original to Samuelson's Grocery Store. Then we shared OOOS and AWWS in the Mary Mary. They were totally WOWD by the building. But I sent them over the top when we ascended the stairs to the Historic Warren Opera House. Jaws dropped. Heads shook. Smiles beamed and cameras came out. "Who ever would-a guessed," one man said. We talked about the props and scene flats, the chairs, the floor, you name it. And these four new friends shared in our excitement of one day holding events and performances in the theater, and maybe even spending a night in the haunted Frog Winslow Room, after a glass or two of wine at the PHouse, of course.
The one gentleman, who says "neat-o cheet-o" when he's enthused, asked me how many thousands of times I had given a tour... and if I was bored with it. My answer was "at least a thousand, and I hope to give a thousand more. Nope. Not bored with it". When others, local and from elsewhere, share our vision, our enthusiasm and our excitement about restoration, it is just the shot in the arm that we need. We are few. We are tired. But we are mighty.
At the end of the tour, the lady in the group said, "I feel like we're on vacation. Great food and wine. Such culture. Like we're not here, but somewhere else". That's pretty darn cool!
And what is even cooler, is that today we get to be "someplace else" again, as we welcome the theater to the San Carlo and enjoy a Melodrama performance. Hmmm... gourmet food, imported and local wines, historical appeal, intellectual conversations and theater... I'm going to close my eyes and think "theater district- Chicago, IL". Yep. That works!
So, thank you to everyone who stops in to the Pour House for unique food, dynamite wine and the beautiful ambiance of this historic building. You are all appreciated. Have a great Sunday.
